Have you ever thought that reading is anything but natural? While the ability to use language to communicate with others is something innate, which is deeply rooted into our brain structures and into our very DNA, the action of writing (and therefore reading) is fully man-made. It’s something we invented – in other words a technology – which has radically changed us as a species by influencing the way our brain processes thoughts.
Indeed, the invention of writing stands out as one of the most significant achievements of mankind. It is no coincidence that we consider it a pivotal moment for humanity: the most evident element that marks the beginning of human History itself.
Let's take for example one of the most ancient cultures in the world, Ancient Egypt. The advent of hieroglyph writing strongly affected how these ancient people represented the world. This element is particularly clear if we look at the way in which their art evolved from the protohistoric phase to the historical one. Look at the two ancient objects in the photos below. They are both cultic palettes: monumental versions of items commonly used to grind minerals and other natural pigments in order to make cosmetics, which were meant for ceremonial purposes.
The first one, the so-called “Oxford Palette”, dating back to the 3.200 BCE, the second is the famous “Narmer Palette” (3200-3000 BCE) which testifies the unification of Egypt. Although the two objects are very similar and more or less contemporary, some scholars have pointed out how the Narmer Palette seems to show a regular pattern of the figurative composition which appears strongly affected by the hieroglyphs writing system: it is organised in registers, almost as if it were an actual written text.
A Dangerous invention?
Like any new technology, the advent of writing systems was greeted with some suspicion. The most significant evidence in this sense can be identified in a passage of the Phaedrus, written by Plato, where the invention of writing by the Egyptian god Theuth is described in the following way:
For this invention will produce forgetfulness in the minds of those who learn to use it, because they will not practise their memory. Their trust in writing, produced by external characters which are no part of themselves, will discourage the use of their own memory within them. You have invented an elixir not of memory, but of reminding; and you offer your pupils the appearance of wisdom, not true wisdom, for they will read many things without instruction and will therefore seem to know many things, when they are for the most part ignorant and hard to get along with, since they are not wise, but only appear wise.
The passage testifies to the transition from oral to written culture in Ancient Greece and all the doubts and fears that this change has brought about. What would have become of the relationship between disciple and master once the close and direct connection between them is removed through the mediation of written texts? What will become of the full potential of human mnemonic ability if everyone relies just on written notes?
Does it sound familiar?
As highlighted by Umberto Eco, this famous passage from Plato's Phaedrus represents the typical human reaction to a new technology and all the changes it can bring, which can potentially disrupt society as we know it. Let's consider the advent of personal computers, internet, smartphones, and now, the rise of Artificial Intelligence. It is clear that we are witnessing an epochal shift. And, our doubts are entirely legitimate, just as Plato's were. After all, how many problems do we have in remembering PIN codes, addresses, or the names of famous actors? Once upon a time, people could recite entire books by heart; I recently changed my SIM card, and after months, I still haven't memorised my phone number…
What is the actual impact of new technologies on our brains?
In September 2023, Lotta Edholm, the Minister for Schools in the Ulf Kristersson cabinet, announced that Swedish students will do without electronic devices during class time, returning to handwriting and paper books. The news elicited a number of discussions and it is certainly significant that Italy has also announced a ban on cell phones and electronic devices in schools, at least for younger students.
So, to what extent are our fears about technology legitimate, especially when it comes to the learning process in young people? Several scholars, particularly those in the field of neuroscience, are exploring these intricate questions. Of particular note are the studies conducted by Maryanne Wolf, Especially in Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World, the scholar delves into the secrets of the "reading mind." As mentioned above, our brain is not naturally structured to perform the complex action of “contemplative reading”, but thanks to our neurological plasticity, we have managed to develop this extraordinary ability.
According to Wolf, the capacity for deep and immersive reading is now under threat. In the age of the Internet and social media, readers (and not just younger people, the so-called digital natives) are losing the ability to stay focused for a long time, which is crucial for understanding and, why not, enjoying complex sentences, intricate stories, or challenging scientific essays. Indeed, what Wolf refers to as the "deep reading circuit" is like a muscle that, if not properly exercised, risks losing its potential. This could have significant side effects, such as a decrease in creativity, and, not least, the loss of the ability to empathise with unfamiliar scenarios and, more generally, with other people.
Personally, I greatly appreciated reading this essay and found it truly stimulating. What I liked most is that Wolf doesn't entirely condemn technology but rather advocates for its sustainable development in favour of the well-being of our minds.
So, what do you think about the importance of deep immersive reading? Let us know in the comment section of the instagram post related to this article.
