Have you noticed how things have changed? Of course, I’m probably talking to folks over the age of 30, since I have been informed that any written copy that takes more than six minutes to read is generally ignored or merely scanned quickly by the newest Gen Z or even newer teams of learners and doers.
Anything over six minutes in the written word consumption world is now considered “deep” reading. Goodbye Tolstoy and Follett. So long War and Peace — you know, that book about maybe losing some battles and then a peace thing that was maybe available.
And that’s my book report, teacher. What more do you want? Well, I really don’t have the time. My influencer best friend is talking to me right now on that e-platform.
I’m trusting youngsters today are still capable of seeking adventure — chasing some dogs, cats, birds and bugs, swatting a few mosquitoes, digging up some grass or sand in search of a treasure that might just be a couple of ladybugs. Jump on a swing, slide down a slide, misuse a garden hose — you know, stuff kids really like to do if given the opportunity. This is their brief time in the world generally free from iPhones and tablets.
As they get older, it is difficult for them to put their phones away and focus on what is right in front of them, including other people. But then they’ve witnessed their parents being totally distracted by phones as they were growing up, so now it’s their turn.
They may ignore a plea to put the phone away, get some undisturbed sleep and forget the influencers, drag-down posts and podcasters.
There is a definite decline in literacy, I believe, although I have no concrete facts to back up my claim. I’m just repeating what many education practitioners have already declared is true.
Smartphones are now the media — with images, brief videos, texts using emoji worlds and misspelt words, and the occasional actual phone call.
Some scientific and medical experts believe this has led to the increase in ADHD symptoms among the younger generation, along with other worrisome detections.
How many teens have read a complete book of more than 250 pages this year? If so, what did they retain and learn from that nether world of exploration? How are young brains being rewired to concentrate, reason and seek democratic resolutions to societal issues and problems?
Is digital reading and audio the only acceptable format now? It is, in fact, different from long-form literacy, I’ve been told. So that raises the queries.
I know that when I go online to read, I am constantly distracted by notifications, reminders, pop-ups and scrolling ads that encourage impulsive actions.
I am, obviously, better acquainted with traditional newspaper formats where the ads were steady, to be read when the reader wanted to read them, and were available for hours and days — not in four-second blurbs. You could double-check prices and information if needed. You didn’t need to Google or activate anything.
Discovering SaskToday was a relief for me some time ago. The format seemed suitable. Yes, there were sideline ads and drop-down enticements, but then it was straight-ahead reading of what I wanted or needed from any part of the province.
I recall reading novels — you know, printed words on paper bound into a book? The only distraction would be the need for a fresh cup of coffee, or in my case, a new soft drink, or a bathroom break. There was no need to bounce or swipe around on a screen or scroll anything. Just turn the page. No content warning, no fake news to sort through or cancel. No clickbait, short video or AI-generated junk. The novel was a story to be read and absorbed, adding to your memory bank and knowledge base.
I’m afraid new phones, laptops and tablets are leading us into a world where actual learning is hindered, not helped. It should and could be the other way around, but that ship has apparently passed in the dark. We are all responsible because, you know, this digital, smartphone, AI world is so much more accessible and convenient and — let’s face it — also efficient and effective.
We have reached the point where face-to-face communication has become an occasional necessity, not a true desire to engage.
As experts have said over the past few years, the long-range thinking part of our brain is leaving us. We now thrive on conspiracy theories, short attention spans and the development of programs and policies that merely serve immediate needs.
We can manipulate items and people more easily if we care to — and many have done so. Long-term technical and societal issues will be left to the few brain trusts paid to think past tomorrow. They will probably deploy their robotic friends as part of the process, I’m guessing.
I have not engaged in any conversation with ChatGPT in producing this article, but I have discussed some outside communication issues — like “where’s my phone?” — with the bride, and she’s kind of smart. Maybe that counts for something?
Also note that I did not consult with any other AI plartform to produce this missive … believe it or not, or naught, or knot.
