During the spring of the pandemic, my four-year-old son unexpectedly taught himself to read. While I was occupied with homeschooling my older son and managing a busy toddler, he engaged with the McGuffey elementary primer, later insisting I listen as he read it aloud. Since then, he has developed a habit of reading anything available to him, from age-appropriate stories like the Chronicles of Narnia to more complex works such as The Oxford Handbook to the Supreme Court.
Read More
This personal anecdote illustrates a broader cultural trend discussed in James Marriott's book, The New Dark Ages: The Death of Reading and the Dawn of the Post-Literate Society. Marriott points out that when reading became a popular activity around 250 years ago, it was initially seen as a “strange new vice.” Observers feared its addictive nature, noting how people would read into the night or during meals.
Today, however, mobile devices have changed social perceptions of reading. Smartphones, introduced less than two decades ago, have significantly diminished our attention spans and reading habits. A 2023 survey indicated that only 16 percent of Americans regularly read books or magazines for pleasure, contributing to a decline in print media and overall literacy.
Marriott argues that the stakes are high; he believes this crisis affects civilization as a whole. He contends that the decline in reading correlates with increased chaos and irrationality in public life. As literacy declines, he warns, society risks losing the rational discourse necessary for democracy.
Historically, reading has been a part of Western culture since at least the seventh century BC, initially dominated by the wealthy few. Literacy rates fluctuated, plummeting after the fall of the Roman Empire but rising again with the invention of the printing press. For most of history, ordinary people lived in a largely oral society until reading became more accessible.
Marriott highlights the 18th century as a pivotal time when reading became an addiction for many, offering affordable access to books and fostering a culture eager for lengthy narratives. He contrasts this past with today's youth, who often struggle to concentrate on longer texts, opting instead for brief online interactions.
The decline in reading since the 1980s, particularly with the rise of television, paved the way for an even greater deterioration in attention spans, with the introduction of 24-hour news channels contributing significantly. Marriott asserts that the decline in serious reading negatively impacts public discourse, where meaningful debate becomes rare.
Though Marriott acknowledges smartphones as a factor, he emphasizes the earlier role of television in preparing society for diminished focus. This raises the question: what do we sacrifice when we turn away from reading? Marriott believes it has damaging effects on political engagement and rational public debate.
Good reading skills foster critical thinking, and my family prioritizes reading over screen time. However, Marriott's critique includes a disparaging view of certain Christian figures, associating them with irrationality. He overlooks the historical significance of Christianity in promoting literacy and the love of books throughout the ages, as well as the role Christians have played in shaping book culture.
Despite these challenges, Marriott instills hope, noting a resurgence in interest for physical books among younger readers. On my college campus, I frequently encounter students engrossed in books, signaling a potential shift back toward a reading culture. My son’s love for stories reflects this trend and underscores the enduring value of literature in our lives.