People are better at processing information or learning in certain ways than others. Back when I was in high school and college -- and to this day this remains true -- I was more adept at learning something by reading actual text about it (textbooks, handouts, etc.) than by having someone explain it to me verbally. In math class, for example, I usually didn't grasp the class content until I got home, read the chapter, and worked through a few problems on my own. When I tried to follow the teacher's lecture, however, he or she would leave me stumped.  I still struggle at times to quickly comprehend what someone is trying to explain to me, whether it's at work or at home. I think part of the reason for this is that people tend to speak hurriedly. When I'm reading a book, however, I can go at my own pace and digest the information in small doses. Even if I try telling someone to slow down, I've found they'll continue to gabble on. In my case, instruction manu...