Why read books, not screens? ⏲️ 6 Minute English

Summary

In this episode of Six Minute English, hosts Phil and Georgie explore the impact of digital reading on our cognitive abilities. They discuss whether reading from screens is as beneficial as reading from paper, focusing on the concept of 'deep reading' and its importance for developing critical thinking and empathy. The episode also touches on the high volume of words we read daily, which can lead to skimming rather than deep engagement with the material. Cressida Cowell and Professor Maryanne Wolf contribute insights on the joys and benefits of reading, emphasizing the need for quality over quantity in our reading habits.

Takeaways

• 📚 Reading from books is preferred by some due to the sensory experience of turning pages and the smell of paper.
• 🖥 Despite personal preferences, digital screens have become the primary medium for reading due to the abundance of available information.
• 👀 Prolonged screen time can cause discomfort such as sore eyes, raising concerns about the potential impact on health and reading habits.
• ❓ The program poses questions about whether reading from screens could be harmful, particularly in terms of attention span and depth of comprehension.
• 📈 The average person now reads about 100,000 words per day, a significant increase attributed to digital reading.
• 🌟 Reading is associated with numerous benefits, including creativity, intelligence, and empathy, as emphasized by author Cressida Cowell.
• 💡 Reading for pleasure is linked to a child's future economic success and other positive life outcomes.
• 📘 'Deep reading' involves analyzing text to understand its deeper meaning, a skill that is said to develop better with physical books.
• 🧠 Professor Maryanne Wolf explains that deep reading activates more areas of the brain, fostering critical thinking and empathy.
• 🔍 Screen reading tends to encourage skimming, which is a more superficial approach to absorbing information.
• 🔄 The high volume of digital content can lead to a propensity for skimming, which may detract from the development of deep reading skills.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in this episode of Six Minute English?

The main topic of discussion is whether reading from screens is harmless or if it could be damaging us in some way, such as reducing our attention span.

Why do some people prefer reading from paper instead of electronic screens?

Some people prefer reading from paper due to the tactile experience of turning pages and the smell of the paper, as well as the discomfort caused by too much screen time that can hurt their eyes.

What is the average number of words a person reads in a day according to the script?

The average person reads 100,000 words a day.

What are the three magical powers that reading brings according to Cressida Cowell?

Reading brings creativity, intelligence, and empathy.

What is the term used to describe the activity of reading for pleasure rather than for gaining something else?

The term is 'reading for the joy of it'.

What is 'deep reading' and why is it important for children's development?

'Deep reading' is analyzing a text to understand its deeper meaning. It is important because it helps develop critical thinking, analytic, and empathic skills.

How does reading from screens differ from reading from books according to Professor Maryanne Wolf?

Reading from screens encourages surface-level reading, quickly and superficially, while reading books activates different areas of the brain, allowing for the development of empathy and deeper understanding of texts.

What is 'skimming' and how does it relate to reading from screens?

'Skimming' is reading rapidly to get a general overview of the text. It is related to reading from screens because the volume of information and distractions encourages this type of reading.

What are the benefits of deep reading as mentioned by the script?

The benefits of deep reading include the development of positive traits like empathy, the ability to make analogies and inferences, and a deeper understanding of texts.

What is an analogy and how is it related to deep reading?

An analogy is a comparison between things that have similar features. It is related to deep reading because it requires a deeper understanding of the text to make meaningful comparisons.

What is an inference and how does it differ from skimming?

An inference is a guess, opinion, or conclusion made based on existing information. It differs from skimming because it involves deeper analysis and understanding rather than just getting a general overview.