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The Lamentable Decline Of Reading Financial Times

Leo Migdal
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the lamentable decline of reading financial times

Reading for pleasure is in "freefall" - dropping over 40% in the last 20 years, warns new research. The "deeply concerning" findings raise urgent questions about the cultural, educational and health consequences of reading less, say scientists. The study, published in the journal iScience, found that daily reading for pleasure in the United States has declined by more than 40% over the last two decades. Researchers from University College London (UCL) and the University of Florida analyzed data from more than 236,000 Americans. They say the findings suggest a "fundamental cultural shift" with fewer people carving out time in their day to read for enjoyment. Dear reader, you are part of a dwindling group.

Around the world fewer people are reading books, newspapers or magazines for pleasure, whether in print or on digital devices. Laments about the decline grew louder this week, as an extensive US study found that just 16 per cent of people spent any leisure time reading during an average day, down from 28 per... Researchers from the University of Florida and University College London, who analysed round-the-clock diaries from 236,000 Americans, were right to express concern about their findings. They corroborate other evidence from the US and elsewhere that people are giving up reading in favour of activities such as endless scrolling through social media or watching short videos on TikTok, Instagram and... Neuroscientists and social psychologists cite many benefits of becoming absorbed regularly in a book or newspaper, from improved mental health and wellbeing to educational and cultural enrichment. Listening to audiobooks — a fast-growing publishing sector — provides similar benefits to reading on paper or a tablet.

© The Financial Times Ltd 2025 FT and 'Financial Times' are trademarks of The Financial Times Ltd. The lamentable decline of reading, Financial Times "An extensive US study found that just 16 per cent of people spent any leisure time reading during an average day, down from 28 per cent two... An important finding from the American Time Use Survey is a growing polarisation between readers and non-readers. The proportion of people who never read books is growing fast but those who still read regularly are spending more free time on the activity now than 20 years ago. This helps to explain why the publishing industry remains in good shape ... Broad-based revival of reading requires a turn in the social and cultural tide responsible for the long-term decline.

Some optimists detect signs of this happening, with young people beginning to react against the pervasive intrusion of social media and its fragmentation of their leisure time. Although the evidence is anecdotal at this early stage, new readers, like existing ones, can only benefit from the enriching world of words" https://lnkd.in/e8ixPjbp As reported by Texas Public Radio: "Seven groups representing authors, libraries, book publishers, and First Amendment supporters are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case of Little v. Llano County. Leila Green Little and six other patrons of the Hill Country public library system filed suit in 2022 after government officials pulled 17 books from library shelves, arguing that the books were removed based...

In May, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed two earlier decisions, ruling that Llano County officials did not violate the First Amendment rights of library patrons by removing the books. In briefs filed this week, the seven groups argued the Fifth Circuit’s ruling sets up a dangerous precedent that contradicts the prevailing understanding of the First Amendment. 'The idea that libraries are places where, basically, the First Amendment doesn't apply, really flies in the face of everything we think about libraries and their historical role in society,' said Elly Brinkley, a... There is a significant national focus on early years education, impacting both settings and schools. The early years serve as the foundation for a child's academic journey, a crucial role emphasised by organisations like OFSTED, DfE, and EEF. New guidance is continuously being introduced, highlighting the need for outstanding teachers, committed practitioners, high-quality provision, and a well-designed curriculum.

For those who may have missed the various resources advocating for an increased emphasis on early years, here are some valuable documents to explore: - Schools Inspection Toolkit: [Link](https://lnkd.in/ebvqXgWY) - Reception Improvement Offer: [Link](https://lnkd.in/eVFw_a9p)... #EarlyYears #Education #ChildDevelopment Slow loading screens and dropped connections have frustrated many Hornets, but the University of Lynchburg’s IT department says improvements are coming. Chief Information Officer Brian Hudson and Deputy CIO Bryson Childress cite outdated equipment, interference, and network mix-ups as the main culprits. Strategic upgrades are underway to boost coverage and reliability across campus. Read more about how students and staff are tackling Wi-Fi challenges together at the link in our bio.

By Aisha Marilyn Abdulbary-Knotts | Staff Writer #universityoflynchburg #lynchburg #lynchburghornets #uofl #thecritograph #critograph #studentmedia #lynchburgnews #lynchburgva #lifeintheburg #studentvoice After a fascinating panel in Scottish Parliament, here’s a round up of some of the challenges that libraries are facing when it comes to intellectual freedom and culture wars.

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© The Financial Times Ltd 2025 FT And 'Financial Times'

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