Staying Awake (2008)

The NEA's "To Read or Not to Read" report highlights a significant decline in reading habits among Americans, with 43% of respondents admitting to not having read a book in 2004, and 27% of those polled by the Associated Press (AP) reporting the same in 2007. This trend is particularly concerning, given the NEA's findings that non-readers tend to perform poorly in the job market and are less engaged citizens. The AP's seemingly complacent tone, quoting a project manager who admits to getting "sleepy when I read," only exacerbates the issue.

The broader context suggests that reading has never been a universal activity, even in the past. Historically, literacy was a privilege reserved for the ruling class, and it wasn't until the Renaissance and the advent of mass printing that reading became more widespread. The author argues that the current decline in reading habits is not necessarily a new phenomenon, but rather a return to a more typical state. This perspective challenges the assumption that reading is a fundamental aspect of modern society, and instead suggests that it has always been a niche activity.

The implications of this trend are significant, particularly for the publishing industry. If reading is not a universal activity, then the notion of bestsellers and popular books may be based on a flawed assumption. Publishers, who have been slow to recognize the social value of reading, may need to rethink their strategies and focus on creating books that serve a social purpose, rather than simply trying to sell commodities. As the author notes, the popularity of book clubs and bestsellers is driven by a desire for shared social experience, rather than a genuine love of reading.