Implications from Neuroscience on the future of literacy, literature and society

"...research depicts how the present reading brain enables the development of some of our most important intellectual and affective processes: internalized knowledge, analogical reasoning, and inference; perspective-taking and empathy; critical analysis and the generation of insight. Research surfacing in many parts of the world now cautions that each of these essential “deep reading” processes may be under threat as we move into digital-based modes of reading".

I was recently reading an article by Maryanne Wolf, Director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at UCLA. 

Wolf's article described research revealing how digital technologies have radically changed reading practices, leading to a reduced ability to comprehend the deeper meanings within text.

Such a decline in reading comprehension has profound implications for knowledge acquisition (learning), reasoning (cognitive inference generation) and critical thinking. Beyond these cognitive declines the inability to properly comprehend complex text has worrying implications for a loss of empathy and perspective when dealing with complex issues within society.

Losing the ability to understand or appreciate literature?

These declining cognitive abilities are the very skills required to enjoy and properly comprehend literature. When readers lack the basic skills needed to understand storylines (plots) and text based descriptions or empathise with a character, they lose access to the vast majority of existing literature. A resource which has provided intellectual stimulation and emotional support since the time of the Ancient Greeks.

Is this the future? A population so stunted in its cognitive abilities that it can no longer understand complex ideas, appreciate rich descriptions, show empathy for others or focus their attention on a single idea for more than two minutes?

Personally I do not think everyone will abandon the challenge of complex reading because it is that very challenge which enriches the mind, fires the imagination, and empowers the intellect.   

I hope you will appreciate the plot, rich descriptions and characters that has made my own story, Bridge of Souls, an enjoyable adventure for so many readers. 

Read a sample of Bridge of Souls and decide if you want to join the adventure! 


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