The Death of Reading: A Myth Busted by Data and Human Resilience

In an era dominated by hyper-addictive digital technologies, a persistent narrative has taken hold: our attention spans are shattered, and books are being driven out of our culture. But is this really the case? Social psychologist Adam Mastroianni, author of the Substack Experimental History, argues that this narrative of decline may be more fiction than fact.

As a psychologist who once studied such claims professionally, Mastroianni understands how the human mind is primed to believe stories of decline. We tend to hold “bad thing go up” narratives to a much lower standard of evidence than “bad thing go down” claims. This cognitive bias explains why stories about the end of reading often conveniently omit critical data points that challenge the prevailing narrative.

Take, for instance, the state of book sales. In 2025, book sales were higher than they were in 2019, and only slightly below their peak during the pandemic. Independent bookstores, often portrayed as relics of a bygone era, are actually thriving. In the United States alone, at least 422 new independent bookshops opened last year. Even Barnes & Noble, once considered a symbol of corporate book retail, has made a cultural comeback, becoming “cool” again in the eyes of many readers.

The data on reading habits paints a similarly nuanced picture. Gallup surveys reveal that while some mega-readers (those consuming 11+ books per year) have shifted to moderate reading levels (1-5 books per year), there are no other significant trends over the past three decades. Other surveys show only moderate declines. For example, the National Endowment for the Arts reports a slight decrease in the percentage of U.S. adults who read any book in 2022 (49%) compared to 2012 (55%). The American Time Use Survey also notes a dip in reading time from 2003 to 2023.

Ultimately, the plausibility of the “death of reading” thesis hinges on two critical judgment calls. First, do these effects strike you as big or small? Second, do you expect these trends to continue, plateau, or even reverse? The answers to these questions may surprise you.

There are signs that the digital invasion of our attention is beginning to stall. We seem to have passed “peak social media,” with time spent on apps starting to decline. App developers are finding it increasingly difficult to extract more attention from users, and as it turns out, having our eyeballs “squeezed” is an unpleasant experience, leading people to disengage.

Moreover, reading has already survived several major incursions, suggesting it is more appealing than we often give it credit for. Radio, television, dial-up internet, Wi-Fi, and even TikTok have all failed to snuff out the human desire to point our pupils at words on paper. It is remarkable, even miraculous, that people who possess the most addictive devices ever invented will occasionally choose to turn those devices off and pick up a book instead.

Mastroianni humorously mocks the “death of reading” hypothesis for implying that all the world’s avid readers “were just filling time with great works of literature until TikTok came along.” This satirical take underscores the absurdity of the claim that digital technologies have single-handedly destroyed our love for reading.

In conclusion, while digital technologies have undoubtedly changed the way we consume information, the narrative of reading’s demise appears to be greatly exaggerated. Books remain a vital part of our culture, and the human desire to read persists, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable digital distractions. So, the next time you hear someone lament the death of reading, remember: the data tells a different story.

Tags

hyper-addictive digital technologies, attention spans, books, culture, social psychologist, Adam Mastroianni, Experimental History, narrative of decline, book sales, independent bookstores, Barnes & Noble, reading habits, Gallup surveys, National Endowment for the Arts, American Time Use Survey, peak social media, human resilience, TikTok, digital distractions, love for reading, cultural comeback

Viral Sentences

• “The death of reading is a myth, and the data proves it.”
• “Independent bookstores are booming, not busting—422 new shops opened last year alone!”
• “We’ve passed peak social media—people are starting to disengage.”
• “Reading has survived radio, TV, dial-up, Wi-Fi, and TikTok. It’s not going anywhere.”
• “The human desire to read persists, even in the face of the most addictive devices ever invented.”
• “Books are still cool—even Barnes & Noble is making a comeback.”
• “The narrative of reading’s demise is greatly exaggerated.”
• “Digital technologies haven’t destroyed our love for books—they’ve just changed how we read.”
• “The next time you hear someone say reading is dead, show them the data.”
• “The miracle of reading: choosing a book over TikTok, even when you have the most addictive device in your pocket.”

,