Politicology ENCORE: [+] Is Thinking Becoming a Luxury Good?
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Jan 3, 2026 Olivier Knox, a seasoned journalist covering politics and technology, dives into whether thinking is becoming a luxury good. He and Ron Steslow address the troubling decline in literacy, exploring how digital media and AI reshape human interaction. They discuss the risks of a post-literate society and the impact of algorithm-driven content on civic knowledge. Their conversation highlights how wealth and education inequality influence access to critical thinking, alongside alarming insights into AI's role in replacing deep thought and ethical decision-making.
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Long-Form Reading Builds Democratic Thought
- Long-form reading rewires the brain for concentration, linear reasoning, and deep thought.
- Those cognitive skills underpin modern science and liberal democracy and are threatened by digital reading.
Digital Reading Is Optimized For Distraction
- Social media and smartphone reading optimize for distraction and short bursts, not deep engagement.
- Excess recreational screen time correlates with worse attention, memory, and language skills in children.
Limit Screen Time For Cognitive Health
- Limit screen time in school and at home to protect children's cognitive development.
- Consider classical, no-phone, or Waldorf-style schooling approaches where feasible to prioritize long-form reading.
