We rightfully celebrate the digitization of India, for it embodies the nation’s progress, evident in its achievement of bridging the gap between technological advancements and the poorer sections of society, making it easier for them to access technology. Yet as we reflect on the past, there is a quiet nostalgia for what we’ve left behind in our pursuit to outpace the world- traditional reading.
The reading culture is turning obsolete. The 21st century has made man a beggar for time. It seems to be in a short supply and people find themselves in a relentless race against it, leaving little room for activities like reading, which many now consider a “useless. With the rise of internet and modern gadgets, people have resorted to occupying their time with these distractions. The allure of long form reading has faded. well, that is until they get a taste of the world that lies within those pages; they then find it difficult to resist.
There was once a technological advancement that revolutionized reading- the invention of printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid 15th century. This innovation paved the way for some of the greatest writers in history, including Dante, Machiavelli and of course, Shakespeare. The renaissance period saw knowledge become more accessible to a broader audience, thanks to the groundbreaking invention. Today however, we have seen many such inventions, far more advanced, but at the cost of reading.
The printing press once made reading a cultural norm, yet now, with the rise of mobile phones and video games, reading habits have significantly declined.
Another major factor behind the decline in reading habits is the increasingly shorter attention span among people. They won’t notice as hours slip by as they scroll through social media, dedicating just 5 minutes to reading often feels like a daunting task. The instant dopamine provided by social media platforms, where information is concise and requires minimal efforts to consume has ruined the attention span among us. While the concise form of information is beneficial and time saving in some ways, it greatly diminishes our ability of engage in complex ideas and analysis.
However, the decline in reading is not solely due to technological distractions or lack of time, it also reflects a broader shift in values. The cultural respect for reading has faded. people don’t perceive reading something of value in this fast paced, result driven world. It is rather seen as something that requires a lot of effort and patience. People’s perception of knowledge has been shifted. People only read something if it is short and summarised. Complex ideas and philosophies are no longer given the respect they once commanded.
In conclusion, while reading habits may seem to be declining, it is far from the end. True readers will always find a way to read, no matter how outdated or boring they might seem to others. It the need of the present to emphasize the value of reading, of knowledge. Creating an environment conducive and nurturing of reading habits will ensure that this vital aspect of society thrives and flourishes across generations. Reading only seems like a boring activity until someone tries it for themselves, after the initial taste, one cannot be satisfied with the life of their own, they will live a thousand more lives before they die. That is the magic of reading.
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