By Blake Kim
Reluctantly turning the pages of a book for English class, thousands of high school students realize their inability to comprehend the words in front of them. They bookmark the page and slowly reach across the rough paper for one sole purpose, their phone. Heavily influenced by Gen Z culture, this problem persists for people of all ages: reading fewer books.
In America, the average daily screen time is 7 hours and 3 minutes, primarily spent on non-work-related activities, such as watching movies, using social media, or playing video games. As opposed to reading—which has countless benefits seen below—working citizens choose a sedentary lifestyle, leading to less physical activity, sleep disturbances, and cognitive decline. Without actively using the brain, humans suffer from a lack of critical thinking, a skill that needs to be practiced like any other. Critical thinking is a fundamental need that allows people to analyze and evaluate information; the benefits go beyond academics, allowing people to weigh options, assess consequences, and make better decisions altogether. Reading for pleasure forces people to actively use their neurological systems, teaching them to think critically and become more well-informed. The overuse of screens takes away from imperative time to flex the brain.
Similarly, reading is the most ancient transfer of knowledge in our history; with a population that reads less, sagacious writers such as Endum Spenser and Shakespeare slowly disconnect from learners, no longer connecting with newer generations. As we read less, our society risks losing touch with these ancient sources of wisdom that shape our values and guide our decisions today. Important historical texts lose meaning, and future societies will face difficulties discovering and understanding works of literature from years prior. These works of literature carry timeless lessons that influence the way society behaves; therefore, missing the ability to analyze this writing prevents humans from learning from the past to interpret the present. In addition, historical writing for future generations would lack complexity, providing an undetailed documentation of current-day history.
Moreover, a lack of reading comprehension will ultimately hinder creativity. Hundreds of highly influential musicians, such as Paul McCartney (The Beatles) and James Hetfield (Metallica), use literature to create meaningful songs. Adding allusions and rhymes to songs creates a richer experience for listeners, encouraging songwriters to more clearly express their complex feelings and lessons. Employing a variety of topics results in idea cross-pollination, where artists combine portions of different books or ideas to create something entirely new. Without reading, creative thinking will ultimately stagnate over time.
Hence, I implore you to start reading. Improve your productivity, deepen your critical thinking skills, enhance your creativity; put down your phone and find entertainment in the pages of a book.