The Virtues of Reading

For as long as we can remember, we've been immersed in books. Initially, navigating them one word at a time. The library was our sanctuary, where we would select our treasures and retreat to the quiet of our rooms.

Now, we find ourselves in a more fortunate position: acquiring more books than we could possibly read. Some scatter throughout our homes, others arranged by color, some alphabetically. Yet, the essence of the habit remains unaltered, and we still feel how regular reading enhances our daily well-being. Today, we are even aware that research supports this: indulging in fiction reduces stress and broadens one’s perspective constructively.

This becomes particularly fascinating against the backdrop of a pervasive wave of gloom washing over the Western world. Can reading make a difference?

Indeed, and let us be specific: The frontal lobe, responsible for conscious thought, planning, and organization, is notably strained these days. The temporal lobes, located on each side of the brain, handle auditory information, language, and memory. Research indicates that reading a book for about 30 pages each evening enhances activity in the left temporal lobe, significantly improving memory, empathy, and mental resilience.

However, it's important to clarify that this primarily does not apply to non-fiction and certainly not to 'flat' literature, such as cozy mysteries in the genre of trivial fiction. Literary fiction, including novels, short stories, and poetry, is distinguished by its ability to enhance the reader's "theory of mind," that is, the ability to understand and relate to the mental states of others. This is because literary texts often present complex characters and situations, requiring the reader to engage emotionally (not just rationally) to grasp different perspectives.

The study "Reading Literary Fiction Improves Theory of Mind" by David ComerKidd and Emanuele Castano (2013) is a pivotal work showing that reading literary works can improve "theory of mind," which is an essential part of empathy. This study found that participants who read literature showed a greater ability to understand and predict other people's emotions and thoughts compared to those who read non-literary texts or did not read at all.

Put simply: Fiction reading instigates physical changes in the brain. We become less stressed, our memory improves, empathy strengthens, and concentration deepens…

Astonishing, isn't it? Does this imply that engaging with literature is healthier for both individuals and society than, say, obsessing over the news cycle or spending evenings scrolling through cat pictures, YouTube, and desperate influencers?

Psychological studies show that a majority become anxious and sad from a one-sided consumption of the news. Sadness, unfortunately, is a poor catalyst for action. Sad people feel powerless, a truth that both Socrates and Cicero dedicated their lives to examining. Hence, the chase for the ephemeral should be abandoned.

As former editors-in-chief, this realization may seem harsh, but we are convinced. Staying informed is necessary, of course. But does incessantly following the trivial antics of politicians and celebrities truly count as being informed? Literature presents a far superior alternative. Ryan Holiday once remarked that the media's 'breaking news' is truth with a lowercase 't' - who did and saidwhat? Books, on the other hand, offer Truth with a capital 'T', exploring the depth and breadth of life's meaning.

In this light, newspapers can be both detrimental and beneficial, depending on their nature, and we do indulge in the latter. Television, psychologically speaking, is often directly harmful. And the internet represents one of civilization's greatest own goals.

In essence: If humanity is to tackle significant challenges, it begins with hope, perspective, and an overview, not with paralyzing news leading to sadness and despair.

A quality newspaper a day, an exceptional book a week. There's still time for that.