We’re postliterate
Summary
Host John Glenn Hill interviews Atlantic writer Rose Horwich about her article "The Age of Reading is Over," which argues society is entering a "post-literate" era. They discuss how the shift from long-form text to fragmented digital content and video is eroding attention spans, critical thinking, and complex reasoning skills. The conversation explores the impact on education, the rise of populist politics suited to oral communication, and whether these cognitive changes are reversible.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and introduction to the information age
Defining the post-literate society and loss of deep reading
Personal anecdotes and the shift from text to video
Data on declining reading habits across demographics
Cognitive impacts: Abstract thinking and the history of literacy
Neuroplasticity and the brain's adaptation to short-form content
Education reforms, standardized testing, and student reading stamina
Sponsors: Quince, Shopify, and Bombas
The purpose of school: Learning vs. job skills
The role of print in revolutions and political change
Populist messaging and emotional resonance in politics
Attention spans, digital distractions, and dopamine loops
Content quality: YA fiction vs. classic literature
Sponsors: Talkiatry, Mount Sinai, and Monday.com
Reversing the trend and the podcast medium
Historical panics over new media and technology
The Library of Alexandria analogy and future of preservation
Credits and final sponsor message
Listen ad-free on Castria