(Why) Have we stopped reading fiction ?

Quote Originally Posted by Justin Isis

I think what most people mean when they talk about no one reading or books declining is that random teenagers aren’t reading Wuthering Heights or whatever.

I base my own comments on sales figures and the general trajectory towards illiteracy in my society and elimination of nuance in communication and the arts. I'd love to believe society is becoming more complex in its literacy rather than abandoning the practice, but I don't feel that is the case.

Then again, I love Wuthering Heights.

[Robert Adam Gilmour]

I thought more people could read now because phones and computers make it more of an essential skill?

[Karnos]

Quote Originally Posted by Robert Adam Gilmour

I thought more people could read now because phones and computers make it more of an essential skill?

Why bother when you can Candy Crush?

[DarkView]

In a way, I believe technology in the form of all the current gadgetry people use, leads to the infantilization of man. Literature, and the desire to read deeply and read often, would be the first casualty in that long decline.

[Robert Adam Gilmour]

I would guess the problems for fiction readers and potential readers is big cultural and political conversations that take a lot of research and debate. Lengthy podcasts. Endless free content. Netflix, arc based tv series and videogames.
Internet addiction and the seduction of joining in on big conversations about pop culture rather than trying to start conversations about your real passions. I've known a lot of people who see the latest films just to discuss them. See youtube "reaction" videos.

I've heard there was a sharp drop in book sales at the end of last year because everyone was so engrossed in the elections.

On the bright side, in genre fiction short stories and novellas are a bigger deal than they were a decade ago due to ebooks and online magazines.

It's been said that the focus on diversity is bringing in demographics who previously weren't interested and should result in more readers.

[Robert Adam Gilmour]

Quote Originally Posted by DarkView

In a way, I believe technology in the form of all the current gadgetry people use, leads to the infantilization of man.

I think it's a huge improvement on television.

[DarkView]

Quote Originally Posted by Robert Adam Gilmour

Quote Originally Posted by DarkView In a way, I believe technology in the form of all the current gadgetry people use, leads to the infantilization of man. I think it's a huge improvement on television.

It has become much more multi-varied than television, yes. So, in that context you can say it's an improvement. In the sense of the effect it has on reading, I'm not sure one can call it that.

[ramonoski]

Fiction has to basically compete for a spot on most people's cultural diet against the myriad of things people might prefer to do, from watching television to attending classical concerts. Assuming they have a cultural diet to begin with... I suppose lots of people aren't interested in such a thing.

[Ibrahim]

Re: the infantilization of man; that process begins in pre-school, when we are taught to think in convenient opposites, preparing the mind for a lifelong war with itself.

[Revenant]

I read somewhere that 15% of readers account for over 80% of book sales. I think most people don't read and never have.