Homo Lectio—The Reading Human | Robb Lauzon | TEDxJuniataCollege

Reading & Literacy - The industry emphasizes that reading, unlike romanticized views, is a technology that fundamentally shapes human cognition and understanding [1] - The industry acknowledges the historical concern, dating back to ancient Greece, that writing might weaken memory [1] - The industry highlights the importance of memory in reading, viewing books as extensions of memory and crucial for rapid information processing [1] - The industry draws on the ancient monastic practice of lectio divina (reading as listening) to advocate for receptive reading, where the text guides the reader without pre-conceived agendas [1] - The industry suggests that reading enables conscious thinking by facilitating the assimilation and synthesis of information in the prefrontal cortex [1] - The industry posits that literacy, historically, has enabled readers to perceive and engage with the personality of the speaker/author, shaping selfhood and character [1][2] Communication Technology & Generative AI - The industry recognizes the historical importance of printed media, even in its evolving electronic forms, and suggests learning from ancient monastic reading practices [2] - The industry emphasizes the human element of reading as particularly valuable in the age of generative AI, where concerns about the future of human roles are prevalent [2] - The industry uses the metaphor of "chewing the cud" (meditation) to describe the process of breaking down and understanding information from texts, ultimately leading to contemplation and deeper meaning [1][3]