No reading and writing? Unthinkable!

Published: June 27th, 2025

A recent article in the Times (James Marriott) speculates on this dire situation. Imagine! No books!No magazines! No newspaper articles! The evidence is clear, reports James: ‘those who don’t read, or who outsource their essays to AI, lose the facility for complex thought.’ I agree. 

I have always maintained that reading is linked to thinking. How can it not be? Is reading therefore the pathway towards an informed and free-thinking society? Yes! Definitely. Marriott further questions whether we have reached a historically dangerous time for literacy: maintaining that children’s reading is at an all time low, half of British adults have not read a book in the past year and average intelligence levels have begun to decline. Really? 

It is fascinating that the advent of literacy has given societies the kind of complex and profound thought that has led to richer civilisations. Marriott quotes an argument by Walter Ong; that oral cultures which lack writing – that communicate only through speech – must devote enormous cognitive energy to preserving knowledge – if indeed they do. 

But back to us and other western civilisations – what are we to do? Both reading and writing are the cornerstones of thought! Let’s consider this for a moment. I enjoy books based on ‘issues’, and have just finished reading a wonderful novel entitled ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ – set against the turbulent background of the 1960’s war in Nigeria (emergence of Biafra). The book forced me to think about the characters – to imagine them as the real people who fought and were cruelly killed. And of course to link this with the conflicts and killings currently happening across the world.

So, reading! We cannot allow it to die. We surely must find ways to revive the current unconscious state in which reading lies. My latest book examines Reading and comprehension, and invites all adults who care about children’s reading to rise up and act – before it is too late.

Sylvia Edwards is a respected author and educator with a passion for improving the educational experiences of children and young people. Throughout a career dedicated to literacy and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Sylvia has authored numerous books aimed at helping parents and teachers support students from the Early Years Foundation Stage through to Key Stage 3. Join her mission to enhance education and support every child’s learning journey. Discover more about her work and publications at sylviaedwardsauthor.co.uk 📖✨

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