Reading a book was once a habit of pure immersion. This was an era before the advent of smartphones, scrolling, social media and memes. A reader could spend hours absorbed in a novel, a history book or a memoir without digital interruptions. The same cannot be said for readers today.
The art and science of reading is fading. It is being replaced by short, swift, continuous video content. Each video automatically plays with every scroll, leaving us glued to our screens. Reading has become a habit of the few, pursued especially by those who have the courage to put aside their smartphones and indulge in thinking. I use the word ‘courage’ because putting your phone aside feels like disconnecting from the world and experiencing isolation. Yet this is precisely what young people must go through to become deep readers.
Deep reading is sustained, absorbed engagement with a text. In contrast to skimming headlines or scrolling through social media posts, deep reading demands concentration and persistence. It challenges the mind to think critically rather than react instantly.
The literary scholar Maryanne Wolf, author of ‘Reader, Come Home’, cautioned that digital habits are changing the way our brains retain and process information. She argues that when people become accustomed to consuming fragmented pieces of content, they may gradually lose the capacity for deep understanding and reflection. Similarly, philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once observed, “Our writing tools are also working on our thoughts.” In our present era, our digital tools may be shaping not only what we read but also how we think. It is the algorithm at work, not our grey matter.
The proof, however, is right in front of us. Many adults admit they struggle to finish books they once would have enjoyed. Students find it increasingly difficult to focus on lengthy academic texts. Even professionals often prefer summaries, bullet points and short videos over comprehensive reports. While these formats are undoubtedly convenient, they often come at the expense of deeper understanding.
Deep reading is closely linked to critical thinking and informed decision-making. When readers engage deeply with texts, they encounter viewpoints unlike their own and learn to evaluate arguments and opinions carefully. Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison once remarked, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”
Fortunately, deep reading is not a lost skill. It can be developed consciously by setting aside dedicated reading time, switching off digital notifications, choosing long-form content and reading physical books. Highlighting key passages, taking notes, and pausing to reflect on ideas can also help.
Perhaps technology itself is not the enemy. Digital platforms provide extraordinary access to knowledge and ideas, including millions of books in digital formats. The challenge lies in ensuring that convenience does not overshadow contemplation. If society loses the ability to engage deeply with those dreams, it may also lose its capacity to think deeply.
The writer is a freelance contributor.
