Keep Reading: That's Your Big Edge in Post-Literate Times

Capitalism, unlike (supposed) communism, is about individualism, not the collective good. Individual strivers scramble to grab the competitive advantage. Okay, you've heard all about those elite cohesive networks. But, come on, they're nothing but Wild West horse-trading. To get in, to stay in you need what's of value to trade. 

So, you should approach The Atlantic long lament by Rose Horowitch about the end of reading from this point of view: What's in it for you to hold on to your voracious reading habit - or to acquire one? That's despite this being a post-literate era. 

The answer is: plenty. That is in terms of having the edge. Horowitch's focus is on the damage to the collective good from the ongoing and accelerating decline in reading. Society suffers. Yes, it does. But as it does, individuals like you who are readers hold more and more good cards.   

Let's get granular. 

See, as the article explains, reading isn't a natural function. Parts of the brain have to be retrained from oral communication and object recognition. In the process, documented Walter J. Ong in the classic study "Orality and Literacy," society essentially developed what you go to law school for. That is, the power of logical deduction, deep concentration and sustained attention to analytical matters. That kicked in as a mass phenomenon in 1440 with the invention of the printing press. 

The huge advantage of that skill set has been obvious throughout history. That's exactly why many slave owners in America forbade the slaves to learn how to read.  Hitler oversaw book-burning. 

Now, since reading is on the wane, those who still develop and nurture it are in the catbird seat.

Returning to our law-school analogy for how reading ability is acquired and operates, the value-add mirrors that of the auras of celebrity lawyers. You bet, everything from the mindset (thinking like a lawyer) to presenting themselves from positions of strength. Examples range from Adler's John Tarantino to Paul, Weiss' Brad Karp. Meanwhile, make good use of your reading and you don't have to invest in going to law school.

In contrast, already those who restrict "reading" to surfing social media, text messages and LinkedIn snippets primarily default back to an oral culture. That was standard in the days before the printing press. They jaw-jaw non-stop, mostly sounding foolish. Rapidly these human beings are mutating into the new underclass. Literally, they talk their way out of opportunities in the labor market, intimate relationships and status in the community. 

In coaching, I guide clients back from being too comfortable shooting off their mouths to concentrating deeply before they reach out in any medium. 

Career Paths? So Over. It’s about Earning a Good Living. No matter what.

Complimentary consultation. No Pressure. Street-smart Guidance. Contact Jane Genova janegenova374@gmail.com.


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