Text is king
a day ago
- Book sales in 2025 were higher than in 2019, and independent bookstores are thriving, with 422 new shops opening last year.
- Reading time declines are modest, with the largest dip occurring between 2003 and 2011, likely due to broadband internet rather than smartphones.
- Digital distraction may be plateauing, as social media usage has started to decline and people seek to reduce screen time.
- Text remains irreplaceable for serious intellectual work, as writing preserves and refines thoughts better than other media.
- Books are central to long-lived movements and ideas, as seen in historical examples like 'Common Sense' and 'Silent Spring'.
- Modern culture is more recorded than ever, with billions of photos and videos created daily, but text retains unique cognitive benefits.
- Despite digital distractions, many people still choose to read books, suggesting a persistent human desire for deep, reflective pleasure.
- The author is optimistic about text's future, noting the resilience of reading across historical technological shifts.