Do We Even Read Anymore?
RTFM: Read the Manual (You Know, Before It All Went Wrong)
Remember when 'read the manual' was solid advice? Somewhere along the way, we lost the art of actually doing it.
The Rise of the Skimming Brain: Squirrels in a Bookstore (Spoiler: They’re Not Getting Smarter)
Tips to Combat the Skimming Brain:
"I remember the early 2000s, working in the municipality sector, where deep reading was essential for understanding complex policies. Fast forward to today, skimming is the new norm, and it feels like we’ve traded depth for convenience."
In a world dominated by screens, our ability to engage in deep reading seems to be fading. Instead of absorbing, we merely glance—like squirrels in a bookstore, nibbling at knowledge without ever truly consuming it. The era of the long, thoughtful read appears to be behind us. A picture may say a thousand words—but which words exactly? Are they the ones we want to hear, the ones that match our biases, our state of mind? Or are they just whatever makes us click 'like' and move on?
Research on Our Reading Habits: From Reading Champions to Skimming Pros (The Glory Days Are Over)
Tips to Improve Deep Reading Skills:
Research shows that we are moving away from deep reading. Maryanne Wolf, in her studies, explains how our brains—once the champions of deep, sustained reading—are now more like the ultimate skimmers of the digital age. Wolf describes this as a shift from the "reading brain" to the "skimming brain." We’re not digesting words anymore, we’re just nibbling at the edges, like squirrels in a bookstore. And let’s be real, squirrels aren't known for their literary depth—unless they're writing a manifesto on acorn storage strategies.
In Nicholas Carr's book The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains, he writes, "The more we use the Web, the more we train our brain to be distracted—to process information very quickly and very efficiently but without sustained attention." In other words, we’re becoming like that one friend who can't stay on one topic for more than ten seconds before switching to something completely unrelated. The Web has turned us all into that friend—you know, the one who starts with politics and ends up talking about penguin mating rituals.
Social Media: Marketing Media in Disguise (And Yes, We All Fell for It)
Tips for Smarter Social Media Use:
Social media platforms have further accelerated our transition to shallow consumption. Pictures say more than a thousand words. Videos, TikToks, Instagram—they even tell you the words! No room for interpretation, just show and merchandise. One big commercial platform. It’s not social media; it’s marketing media. And let’s be honest—how many times have you watched a TikTok and suddenly felt the urge to buy something you didn’t even know existed five minutes ago? Social media is the world's biggest infomercial, except the hosts are your friends, your favorite celebrities, and that one cat you follow because it always looks so judgmental. Admit it, we’re all suckers for that grumpy cat's hot takes.
A recent study from Hootsuite and We Are Social reveals that over 4.5 billion people use social media globally. This means our behaviors and perceptions are molded, almost subliminally, by content that is often designed to sell. We rarely stop to question if we need what's being marketed; the dopamine hit from a "like" often blinds us to the manipulation at play. Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it’s probably an influencer with a great filter.
The News We Consume: Cotton Candy for the Brain (Sweet, but Mostly Air)
Tips for Consuming News Mindfully:
A recent report from the Pew Research Center found that over 70% of people now get their news from social media platforms. The shift away from traditional, text-based sources has made information more accessible—but also more manipulative. It’s like getting your news from a carnival barker who really, really wants you to buy a hot dog. The way visuals are curated and content is algorithmically tailored reinforces our own biases and makes us more susceptible to misinformation. As Jean Baudrillard might argue, it's hyperreal—blurring the line between what is real and what is just digital cotton candy.
The more we engage with these platforms, the more they shape us. We’re bombarded with images that are curated, filtered, and carefully crafted to evoke specific emotions. Brands, influencers, and even our friends present a version of reality that’s designed to capture attention and drive engagement. Forget about depth—it's all about the dopamine hit—the like, the share, the scroll. Who needs contemplation when you have engagement metrics to hit? Plus, let’s face it, those dog videos aren’t going to watch themselves.
The Funnel of Knowledge: From Wisdom to Clutter (Or: Why We Can’t Have Nice Things)
Tips for Filtering Knowledge from Clutter:
"In my work across different industries—financial, logistics, and more—I’ve seen firsthand how the flood of information drowns out true knowledge. Everyone has an opinion, but finding real, valuable insights is like panning for gold in a river full of mud."
We are a thriving species because we had the power of knowledge transfer. We wrote things down. Every papyrus scroll, every book, every tablet was precious. We wouldn't waste them on nonsense. But now? Now we pollute the lines and bombard our senses with clutter. The funnel, once used to distill and share the essence of human understanding, is overflowing with noise—like trying to make lemonade but someone keeps throwing in pickles.
We’re slaves to everyone’s opinion—constantly consuming the unfiltered thoughts of millions—while they get paid for it. Brands, influencers, even the kid next door is selling their version of the truth. Why? Because attention pays. And we willingly fork over our most precious resource—our focus—for content that doesn’t even make us grow. The sad irony? We’re losing our ability to discern real knowledge from the clutter. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack, except the needle is actually useful information and the haystack is full of conspiracy theories and cooking hacks.
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Are We Even Listening Anymore? (Spoiler: Nah, We’re Just Waiting to Talk)
Tips for Better Listening:
But it's not just our reading habits that are changing. Listening follows a similar trend. In meetings, in conversations—how often are we truly listening versus just waiting for our turn to speak? Let’s be honest—most of us are just rehearsing our next brilliant point while pretending to listen. The same way we skim articles, we skim interactions. The constant influx of shallow input leads to shallow output. We’re all just actors waiting for our line—and half the time, we forget the script.
The Art of Conversation is Dying: Texting vs. Talking (Who Needs Words Anyway?)
Tips to Reclaim the Art of Conversation:
Sherry Turkle, in her book Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age, highlights how technology has affected our social interactions. She notes that we are losing the art of conversation, choosing instead to engage in controlled communication—texting instead of talking, reacting instead of reflecting. Why actually talk when you can just send a well-placed GIF? But while emojis might capture our reactions, they don’t replace real empathy. This lack of deep engagement affects not only our personal relationships but also our ability to empathize with others. And let's face it, nobody’s life ever got more meaningful because of a perfectly timed thumbs-up emoji. Though, admittedly, that fire emoji is pretty satisfying.
The Impact on Work and Productivity: Office Superheroes Wanted (Caped Crusaders of Concentration)
Tips for Staying Focused at Work:
"Back when I worked at Centric, helping teams adapt to new ways of working, I saw how rare focused, deep work had become. We need office superheroes—people who can concentrate without getting sidetracked by a hundred Slack notifications."
This shift has implications beyond our personal lives. In the workplace, the emphasis on quick communication—Slack messages, email snippets, brief video updates—can erode our ability to engage in deep work. Cal Newport, in his book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, argues that the ability to focus on demanding tasks without distraction is becoming increasingly rare—and therefore, increasingly valuable. Deep work is like a superpower now. If you can focus for more than ten minutes, congratulations—you might just be an office superhero. Capes optional.
We focus on the immediate, the urgent, and the easily digestible, rather than the complex, the challenging, and the nuanced. As our attention spans shrink, so too does our capacity for critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. When we constantly engage with short-form content, we lose the ability to think deeply, to see connections, and to nurture complex ideas. Instead, we’re left with a collection of half-baked thoughts and trivia—perfect for winning a pub quiz, but not so great for meaningful innovation. Unless, of course, your company decides to start a pub quiz team.
The Power of Slowing Down: Cute Dogs and Real Growth (Because Who Doesn’t Love a Pooch in Glasses?)
Tips for Slowing Down and Finding Depth:
Yet, there is power in slowing down, in reading with intention, in listening deeply. There’s value in words—the kind that can't be summarized in a meme or replaced by a photo of a cute dog wearing glasses. (Okay, that might be debatable; cute dogs do have power.) Reading deeply allows us to connect with ideas in a meaningful way. It gives us space to reflect, to challenge our own thinking, and to grow. Listening deeply allows us to connect with others, to understand their perspectives, and to build stronger relationships. And if that cute dog wearing glasses also happens to be there? Well, that’s just a bonus.
How to Reclaim Depth in a Shallow World: The Struggle is Real (But Worth It)
Tips for Reclaiming Depth:
"During my time volunteering with the fire department, I realized that meaningful work requires full attention. Whether it’s putting out fires or just reading a book, the value of undivided focus can’t be overstated."
So how do we navigate this shift? How do we reclaim our capacity for deep reading and listening in a world that constantly pulls us toward the superficial? It starts with intention. Choose to put down the phone, pick up a book, and have a real conversation. Recognize the value of depth in a world that often prioritizes breadth. Find moments of stillness in the chaos. It’s like being the one person at a party who knows how to actually have a meaningful conversation instead of just talking about the weather.
Practical Tips for Deep Reading and Listening: Be the Party Star (Or at Least the Most Interesting One There)
Consider setting aside time each day for reading without distractions. Make it a habit to read books that challenge you, that require critical thinking, or that expose you to new ideas. Practice active listening in your conversations—focus on what the other person is saying rather than formulating your response. As Marcus Aurelius once said, "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." Plus, it makes you a better conversationalist at parties—win-win. Who doesn’t want to be the person at a party who can talk about ancient philosophy and also crack a joke about that viral cat video?
Conclusion: The Challenge Before Us (And Why It’s Totally Worth It)
Do you still find time to read deeply, or is the pull of the visual too strong? How do you balance the need for quick information with the desire for meaningful understanding? These are questions worth asking—questions that might not have easy answers, but that are worth exploring nonetheless.
The challenge before us is to reclaim our ability to think deeply, to connect meaningfully, and to value the richness that comes from words and conversation. It’s about taking back control from the algorithms and deciding for ourselves what truly matters. Try dedicating 20 minutes a day to reading a book—no phone, no skimming, just you and the page. Rebuild that deep connection one word at a time. And who knows—maybe we’ll even find that we enjoy reading something longer than a tweet. Just maybe, we’ll discover that the world is still full of stories worth savoring—one slow, intentional bite at a time.