Can Singapore turn doomscrollers become doomreaders?

The concept of cultivating a reading habit can be likened to a transition from rationality to fanaticism. Engaging in the deliberate act of reading for a set amount of time each day, with a consistent schedule, represents a structured and methodical approach. However, the dedication that some individuals display, often at the expense of their vision, sleep, and social interactions, reveals a more irrational side.

In Singapore, the government has launched an initiative to encourage citizens to read books instead of "doomscrolling." This "gamification" strategy involves rewarding people with small amounts of money for recording daily reading sessions of at least 15 minutes on a government website. While the monetary rewards are modest, behavioral scientists and psychologists suggest that such incentives may encourage individuals who have a casual interest in reading to adopt the habit more consistently.

The question remains whether the habit will remain after the rewards are removed. History provides some optimism in this regard. The efforts of the Chartist press in 19th-century Britain were successful in instilling a reading habit among the working class. If Singapore's policy can achieve similar results, it could inspire similar initiatives elsewhere.

The ultimate test, of course, will be whether "doomscrollers" can transform into "doomreaders."