The Brian Lehrer Show Is 'Online Reading' Still Reading?
Dec 11, 2025
Jay Caspian Kang, a staff writer for The New Yorker, tackles the intricacies of reading in the digital age. He discusses quitting social media to focus on books but found that this shift didn’t necessarily increase his reading time. Contradicting statistics reveal that while book readership may be declining, online reading is on the rise. Kang warns about the dangers of algorithmic optimization, which can isolate opinions and stifle real-world connections, and shares stories of listeners finding renewed focus after stepping away from social media.
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Detox Led To Golf, Not Books
- Jay Caspian Kang quit social media to finish a book and did finish it quickly after logging off.
- He spent his freed time practicing golf intensely instead of reading more books.
More Reading, Less Books
- People today spend more time reading words overall, but much of that reading is online rather than in books.
- That raises questions about whether this shift is a net loss for literary depth and craftsmanship.
Quit Shorts, Wrote A Novel
- Francesca uninstalled TikTok and Instagram and immediately began reading novels and writing her own historical fiction.
- She credited quitting short-form social media with restoring her focus and creative output.
