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National Reading Movement

Reading in the Age of Distraction 2021

Watch recordings from the 2021 "Reading in the Age of Distraction" series, featuring global experts on deep reading, social media, news, and imagination in the digital age.

Last updated 13 April 2026

In the first edition of Reading in the Age of Distraction in 2021, we discussed the concept of how the medium affects how we read, and reflected on content adults are reading nowadays such as social media and news.

Speakers include Nicholas Carr, author of "The Shallows: What the Internet is doing to our Brains", Rolf Dobelli, author of "The Art of Thinking Clearly", Alan Rusbridger, former Editor-in-Chief of "The Guardian" and Maryanne Wolf, author of "Reader Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World".

Watch the recordings HERE.


The Reading Brain in the Digital World

If you were born in 6000 BC, you would have lived your life without ever learning to read. Unlike speaking, mankind had to teach itself to read. Yet today, we spend less time on deep reading. Watch world-renowned cognitive scientist Maryanne Wolf, as she brings you back to reading in a world of screens.

Watch the recording HERE.


The Constant Feed: Reading Social Media

Social media is addictive and you're not alone if you spend more time on social media than on reading. Watch James Williams, former Google strategist and author of Stand Out of Our Light discuss with Dr Jean Liu, Associate Professor of Psychology at Yale-NUS on how we can resist the lure of social media.

Watch the recording HERE.


News-worthy: Reading the News

It’s time you learnt how to be a discerning news reader! When news and journalism evolved from print to digital, it overhauled the news industry impacting how news was produced, and consumed. Watch former editor-in-chief of The Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, and acclaimed author of The Art of Thinking Clearly, Rolf Dobelli debate on the relevance of news-reading today.

Watch the recording HERE.


Reading & the Future of Imagination

Albert Einstein believed that imagination takes precedence over knowledge. While knowledge is finite, there is no limit to the imagination that feeds our creativity and innovative thinking. So how does reading help with this? Watch award-winning science writer, Rita Carter share on how reading ignites your brain, and get tips on how to expand your imagination!

Watch the recording HERE.