Ologies with Alie Ward

Anagnosology (READING) with Adrian Johns

May 29, 2024

Historian and author Dr. Adrian Johns discusses the evolution of reading from clay tablets to audiobooks, literacy campaigns, attention spans, and dyslexia history. He touches on phonics, e-readers, and literacy rates. The conversation reflects on the impact of technology and societal changes on reading habits.

01:15:53

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Episode guests

Adrian Johns

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Quick takeaways

The evolution of reading practices from ancient cuneiform to industrial printing revolutionized literacy rates and access to written materials.

Public education initiatives in the late 19th century aimed to increase literacy rates for an informed citizenry and workforce, raising concerns about educational quality and societal values.

Modern reading habits face challenges with decreasing attention spans, digital distractions, and the impact on comprehension, prompting the development of speed reading programs.

Deep dives

The Evolution of Reading Practices

Reading practices have evolved significantly over time, with ancient forms of cuneiform writing and hieroglyphics dating back thousands of years. The introduction of the printing press in the mid-1400s led to a significant increase in literacy rates and the circulation of written materials. The shift to industrial printing in the 19th century further revolutionized the accessibility of printed material, with newspapers like The Times printing thousands of copies per hour.

Speed Reading Techniques and History

01:11

Evolution of Writing Systems

01:22

Reading is not natural from a brain's perspective, neither is dyslexia

00:44

Evolution of Printing in the Digital Era

01:14

Introduction

5min

Exploring the Origins and Evolution of Reading Practices

12min

The Evolution of Reading: From Manuscripts to Digital Age

13min

Exploring the Evolution of Audio and E-books in Reading Culture

3min

Evolution of Reading Practices and Literacy

11min

Listener Questions and Sponsor Highlights

6min

Exploring the Evolution of Reading Techniques

20min

Inequality and Access to Reading Across History

7min

Exploring Curiosity and Overcoming Societal Pressure

4min

Clay tablets! Printing presses! Old timey audio books! Speed reading strategies! Attention spans! Dyslexia history! Literacy campaigns! Dr. Adrian Johns is an historian, professor, and author of the book “The Science of Reading” and we have a nice mellow chat about when humans started to “read,” what that means, being Hooked on Phonics, Dick, Jane, character languages, audiobooks, e-readers, school segregation, literacy rates, and how long we can focus at a time. He literally wrote the book on it.

Visit Dr. Adrian Johns’ faculty bio at University of Chicago

Shop Dr. Johns’ books including The Science of Reading: Information, Media, and Mind in Modern America (2023) and The Nature of the Book: Print and Knowledge in the Making (1998)

A donation went to 826LA.org and Glioblastoma Research Organization

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Ologies with Alie Ward

Anagnosology (READING) with Adrian Johns

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Evolution of Reading Practices

The Impact of Literacy Programs

Challenges in Modern Reading Habits

Speed Reading and Reading Enhancement Programs

The Evolution of Speed Reading Techniques

Understanding and Addressing Dyslexia

Speed Reading Techniques and History

Evolution of Writing Systems

Reading is not natural from a brain's perspective, neither is dyslexia

Evolution of Printing in the Digital Era

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Save any
moment

Share
& Export

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Ologies with Alie Ward

Anagnosology (READING) with Adrian Johns

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Evolution of Reading Practices

The Impact of Literacy Programs

Challenges in Modern Reading Habits

Speed Reading and Reading Enhancement Programs

The Evolution of Speed Reading Techniques

Understanding and Addressing Dyslexia

Speed Reading Techniques and History

Evolution of Writing Systems

Reading is not natural from a brain's perspective, neither is dyslexia

Evolution of Printing in the Digital Era

Get the Snipdpodcast app

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Save anymoment

Share& Export

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Get the Snipd
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highlights

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moment

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