From Substantive Reading to Doomscrolling

How far do you agree with the quote by Margaret Fuller, “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader”? In contemporary society, do people still possess a genuine love for reading?  Reading once held such high prestige that people believed that books contained more treasure than all the pirates’ loot on Treasure Island. Books were the companions for those who had none. Though it may sound unusual, people once engaged deeply with ideas and gave shape to their critical thinking. Books were considered a storehouse of knowledge and enlightenment, and it was believed that those who read possessed a rare intellect. 

Undoubtedly, the world is moving at a rapid pace; ironically, intellect is now frequently attributed to those who create online content or spend their time in mindless scrolling. Sadly, books, once regarded as invaluable, have now been pushed to the back shelf. Reading books is often perceived as tedious, as it demands sustained attention and patience -qualities that seem increasingly rare in today’s fast-paced world. 

Modern psychologists suggest that the digital age has reduced attention span. As a result, people find it easier to indulge in fast social media scrolling, which thrives on quick rewards, rather than engaging in deep reading and critical thinking that demands sustained concentration. This shift does not signify a lack of intelligence but a change in cognitive habits, in which the mind prefers speed over depth. 

This phenomenon of mindless social media consumption is termed doomscrolling, sometimes referred to as “Zombie scrolling”. This habit is highly addictive, as people often spend hours without any awareness of time. Many young people stay up late at night, unable to stop, which can lead to serious mental and physical health issues. 

The world has transitioned from newspapers to digital bulletins, from hardcover books to Kindle, and from immersive reading to summaries. In my teaching experience, I once asked my engineering class of 90 students whether they had read a book from cover to cover. Shockingly, not a single student could claim to have done so. What kind of world are we moving toward, where people are increasingly numbing themselves through a self-soothing digital loop?

Instead of nurturing creative minds, today’s youth are gradually losing their creativity by excessively indulging in social media. Many find it easier to remain constantly engaged online, producing shallow content, and earning money from it.  The unfortunate reality is that such content often receives millions of views, in contrast to far fewer views for a meaningful or creative blog. 

Where does the real problem lie- with the creators who produce such content or with the consumers who elevate it to millions of views? Regardless of the answer, ultimately, responsibility must be shared, and conscious efforts are needed to steer the younger generation back towards meaningful reading.  As Maria Paula Colmenares rightly observes: “Starting is always the hardest part. But once you start, you start building a habit.” This emphasizes that even a small inclination toward meaningful reading can gradually cultivate discipline, focus, and intellectual growth. 

Dr Ranbir Kaur

11th April, 2026