The Global Story The death of reading
Jan 1, 2026
In this discussion, James Marriott, a culture columnist for The Times of London, delves into the alarming decline of reading in today's society. He argues we're entering a post-literate era, where complex thought suffers as smartphones dominate our lives. James explains how the 18th-century reading revolution democratized knowledge and its vital role in political mobilization. He warns of the dangers to democracy posed by visual media, which prioritize emotion over logic, and shares his personal journey of ditching his smartphone to reclaim focus.
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Writing Enables Complex Thought
- Print enabled complex, revisable thought by letting authors write, refine and reconnect sentences over time.
- James Marriott argues many kinds of sustained philosophical or technical reasoning depend on written language rather than spoken speech.
Books Disappear From Public Transport
- James Marriott describes growing up as a bookworm and noticing fewer people reading on London public transport over ten years.
- He says buses and tube carriages once held books but now phones largely replace them.
The Reading Revolution Changed Society
- The 18th-century 'reading revolution' expanded literacy from elites to ordinary people via cheaper books and growing education.
- Marriott links that spread of reading to major democratic and social transformations in Europe and America.