Reading habits for the new literary ‘dark ages’
The 18th-century writer and polymath Samuel Johnson was seldom seen without a book. People say he read in bed and while walking. He even read at dinner, the pages folded over his lap like a “dog who holds a bone in his paws in reserve while he eats something else,” as his biographer, James Boswell, put it . The fact that today, Johnson is perhaps best known as the face of an internet meme —…
In the 18th century, Samuel Johnson, a renowned 18th-century writer and polymath, was often engrossed in reading. Whether he was in bed, walking, or even at dinner, Johnson's biographer, James Boswell, described him as reading with an intensity that was almost obsessive. Today, Johnson is best known as the face of an internet meme, looking at a text with annoyance and befuddlement.
This reflects how reading habits have evolved since Johnson's time. In his latest book, The New Dark Ages: The Death of Reading and the Dawn of the Post-Literate Society, James Marriott discusses the changing landscape of reading habits. Marriott argues that what was once a daily routine for many is now becoming a lost art, overshadowed first by the audiovisual appeal of television and now by short-form content on social media.
Like many writers who have lamented the decline of reading skills and literary culture, Marriott sees post-literacy as a natural progression rather than a new phenomenon. He compares the rise of reading to how smartphones and social media have pervaded society, initially met with skepticism but ultimately becoming commonplace. Marriott notes that while many have warned about the dangers of reading, such as during the Industrial Revolution, those concerns were often unfounded.
He points out that reading has historically played a crucial role in transformative historical developments, from the Reformation to the abolition of slavery and the shift towards democratic governments. However, Marriott acknowledges that the decline in reading has been significant. People no longer read as much or as well as they once did, and the rise of visual media like television and social media has shifted the focus towards appearances and spectacle.
Marriott argues that while reading stimulates the brain and fosters critical thinking, passive engagement with visual media can be detrimental, especially in an age where misinformation is rampant. He warns that the post-literate society may lead to a decline in cognitive fitness and critical thinking skills, as people may no longer be challenged or stimulated by their daily activities.
Marriott concludes by highlighting the contrast between the passive consumption of visual media and the active engagement required by reading, emphasizing the potential dangers of losing the skills and experiences that only reading can provide.
Written by urgent.news from Big Think's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
