Cognitive Overload

 We've entered a new age of reading and writing

The audience for traditional storytelling has undeniably shifted. My social media analytics tell a sobering tale—where once my posts attracted readers spanning from twenty-somethings to retirees, now the engagement comes primarily from those in their fifties and beyond. The younger generations, it seems, have redirected their leisure hours elsewhere, leaving novels to gather digital dust while their parents and grandparents remain the faithful guardians of the written word.

I asked AI why people don't read anymore, and got a sobering answer:

Book reading has declined in many parts of the world, and the reasons are layered and fascinating. Here’s a breakdown of some of the biggest factors:

Digital Distraction

• Smartphones and social media offer constant stimulation, making long-form reading feel slow by comparison.
• Short-form content like TikToks, memes, and reels cater to quick dopamine hits, reshaping attention spans.

Cognitive Overload

• Many people feel mentally exhausted from work, news, and digital noise, leaving less bandwidth for immersive reading.
• The rise of multitasking culture means fewer people carve out quiet, uninterrupted time for books.

Economic and Lifestyle Shifts

• Longer work hours, gig economy pressures, and commuting cut into leisure time.
• Streaming services and podcasts offer passive entertainment that fits into busy lives more easily than active reading.

Changing Media Habits

• Audiobooks and eBooks have grown, but they often compete with other media rather than replace traditional reading.
• Algorithmic feeds personalize content so effectively that people rarely seek out books for discovery anymore.

Generational Trends

• Younger generations often associate reading with schoolwork rather than pleasure.
• There's also a shift toward interactive storytelling—like video games or fan fiction communities—that offer narrative engagement without traditional books.

Cultural Shifts in Value

• In some circles, reading is no longer seen as a status symbol or intellectual pursuit—it’s been replaced by other markers of cultural capital like tech fluency or social media savvy.

But here's the twist: while fewer people may be reading books, storytelling itself is thriving. People still crave narrative, meaning, and emotional depth—they just find it in new formats. 

Yet the well of tales within me remains deep and undepleted; perhaps it's time to pour these narratives into vessels better suited for today's thirsting minds to reach those who have abandoned the printed page.

https://www.authorerikamszabo.com