A Mug of Insights 034: Why Mindless Entertainment Won't Replace Reading
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Dec 17, 2025 Discover the compelling argument for why reading can't be replaced by mindless entertainment. Robin discusses overstimulation from screens and the emptiness that follows. He shares personal stories of swapping movies for books, revealing how reading leaves him refreshed rather than drained. Delve into his thoughts on how literature offers long-lasting enjoyment without the post-entertainment crash. Tune in for insights on transforming screen time into enriching reading time for greater emotional satisfaction.
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Cinema Rituals And The Overstimulation Tax
- Robin Waldun describes his new ritual of going to the cinema weekly and the overstimulated, empty sadness that can follow too much screen time.
- He contrasts this with a night he chose speakers and then read for hours, which left him refreshed rather than drained.
Reading Replaced A Movie Night
- Robin recounts skipping a movie to buy speakers and then reading for two hours, feeling rested and eager for the next day.
- He repeated the experiment reading in a waiting room and again felt no crash or empty sadness afterwards.
Books Entertain Without The Crash
- Robin concludes that books provide entertainment without the overstimulation crash common to screens.
- He argues long-form, non-screen reading recharges the brain and fuels desire to learn more.