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Books versus screens

The Citizen

|

September 07, 2024

Digital platforms notorious for their distractions.

- JANE MOLONY

Books versus screens

In this digital age, where screens dominate daily life, the idea of reading a physical book, magazine, or newspaper may seem old-fashioned... but reading paper-based material can be compared to maintaining a healthy diet.

Just as a balanced diet is vital for our physical health, print and paper provide unique benefits that nourish the mind in ways that digital formats can't replicate.

Reading paper books feeds the mind through a more captivating experience, where readers can absorb ideas and develop a deeper understanding of the material.

Mindful consumption of nutrient-rich content

Digital platforms are notorious for their distractions, such as ads, hyperlinks and notifications that draw our focus away from the core content.

In contrast, paper books provide an uninterrupted reading experience, allowing for deep engagement with the content avoiding the mental equivalent of empty calories.

Digestion is an important function that breaks down food into smaller components so the body can absorb essential nutrients.

In the same way, we benefit from the slower, deliberate pace of reading paper-based material, which enhances digestion, comprehension and retention of information.

Numerous studies indicate that readers tend to comprehend and retain information significantly better up to eight times - when engaging with physical books than digital screens.

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