Loosing the ability to read and think deeply
I used to be able to sit with a book for hours at a time, fully immersed. I'd put the book down and still think about what I read, processing it and making connections. This led to a deeper understanding of the material and a longer-term recollection.
Today, we're so consumed by digital email, chats, TikTok, social media, short blog posts, video clips, and other forms of consumption that are meant to be short and quick - in and out. The content is designed to keep us engaged.
I struggle when I try to read a book with information I want to understand. My mind is jumping around to other things. I can't focus enough to comprehend what I read. I even read the prior text and don't recall it. I have to read a paragraph over and over to understand it.
The book is too difficult to read because it requires more direct attention, the opposite of other material I consume. My mind is no longer wired in a way to provide me the focus I need.
