Social Media Hurts Literacy: US Reading Down 40% (2004-2023), OECD Finds Irish Issue

Literacy is being damaged by social media, with a 40 percent drop in Americans reading for pleasure from 2004 to 2023, according to researchers at the University of Florida and University College London. An OECD study last year found only 9 percent of Irish adults could properly analyze long texts. Tech giants are now pushing for less writing, suggesting AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini be used for tasks such as writing emails, drafting, editing, summarizing, and brainstorming.

AI boosters misunderstand the writing process, believing it's a direct transfer of pristine thoughts into language. However, writing is transformative, forcing people to resolve contradictions and develop insights. Asking AI to write first drafts or summarize documents prevents critical thinking and locks users into pre-existing frameworks. Deep reading is more valuable than AI synopses.

Using AI for "brainstorming" reinforces biases and creates an addictive process, similar to gambling, giving users a dopamine hit. A survey of 160,000 workers found AI users spent more time on busywork and less on complex problem-solving. A Goldman Sachs report found no productivity increase beyond software development and customer support. Cory Doctorow likens unchecked AI-generated information to asbestos.

Working with AI leads to "cognitive debt," degrading understanding and analytical abilities. While AI is faster, it's not better. Those who avoid AI and maintain clear thought processes will likely succeed. Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark plans to encourage his children to keep journals. AI use will make us stupider and more alone.