A Post-literate World & Tate Brothers Arrested (with Rose Horowitch)
Summary
Preet Bharara interviews Rose Horowitz, author of The Atlantic’s viral piece “The End of Reading is Here,” to discuss the sharp decline in American reading habits. They explore how digital media crowds out deep reading, altering cognitive skills and cultural values, while noting that dedicated readers remain highly engaged. The conversation examines whether this shift signals a permanent move toward a post-literary society or a reversible attention deficit.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Fetch Pet Insurance and Mount Sinai Women's Health
Introduction and guest Rose Horowitz
The decline of reading in America
Changes in book types and writing styles
Defining deep reading vs. skimming
Causes: TV, smartphones, and attention spans
Fiction vs. nonfiction and popular genres
Cognitive benefits of reading vs. video
Impact on comprehension and critical thinking
Current trends and the paradox of interest
Historical context and news consumption
Reading vs. watching: The Godfather example
Subtitles and multitasking while watching
Sponsors: Upwork, Fetch, and Indeed
Attention spans and IQ test scores
Cultural anecdotes on attention and film
Reading speed, distraction, and habits
Importance of early childhood reading
Reading in professional and legal contexts
Reading as a recent human development
Critique of academic writing and clarity
Historical parallels and societal shifts
Concerns about AI and writing quality
Sponsors: Superhuman and Mount Sinai
Listener question: The Tate brothers extradition
Tribute to NYPD Detective John O'Malley
Outro, credits, and final sponsors
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