Written by, Kalpita
24th Feb 2025
In today's digital space, the emergence of short-form video content has changed the way we consume information and view entertainment. While such short videos may bring instant gratification, they are subconsciously destroying our deeper emotional involvement and reflective engagement.
But then, reading could return as a powerful remedy, offering a medium through which we could reclaim, restore and further develop our emotional intelligence (EI). That is, if we choose to!
Why we pick a Tempting Reel over a Transformational Read
We all seem to have become addicted to the rapidly surging world of reels and similar short-form videos on social media platforms. But its about time we pause and re-think about why exactly do we find this quick, visually stimulating content to be so fascinating?
Instant Gratification:
On a stressful day or even a boring one, reels entertain us right away. They satisfy our desire for quick dopamine hits. Research studies show that dopamine acts on the areas of our brain that give us feelings of pleasure, satisfaction and motivation. It also plays a role in controlling our memory, mood, sleep, learning, concentration, and movement. But how does this momentary gratification work for us in long term? It’s somehow never enough, it’s never truly productive.
Algorithmic Addiction:
Platforms use advanced algorithms to keep us users scrolling endlessly, creating a meaningless cycle of content consumption. But who really benefits here? Us or them?
Bite-sized Information:
Solid topics are often mashed up into easily digestible morsels, appealing to our shortened attention spans. Does this child-like diet enhance our personal lives as adults who are capable of consuming and processing complex information?
Active Reading, on the other hand, offers:
Deep Engagement:
Even a 10-minute read has the power to make way for sustained focus and personal immersion in complex narratives and ideas. Who would this benefit? And how?
Emotional Exploration:
Readings of varied sorts like biographies, humanities, even philosophical articles provide us a safe space to meaningfully explore and better understand a wide range of personal emotions and life situations. This is the human power that we need and deserve, to learn and grow.
Cognitive Stimulation:
Scientifically, reading challenges our minds, and thereby improves our vocabulary, articulation, critical thinking, and imagination. Such endless stimulation brings us truly actionable insights.
Lets evaluate:
The Cost of Constant Scrolling V/s the Benefits of Active Reading
While reels may appear to be harmless, they are taking away a great deal from our emotional depth and cognitive processes. As a contrast, there is much in active reading that is exceptionally beneficial to a person's emotional intelligence:
Attention Span:
Reels: shorten our span to read longer, more complex yet momentarily insightful stuff.
Reads: increase concentration, therefore developing our attention span and boosting sustainable insights.
Emotional Processing:
Reels: although fast transitioning, reels limit our ability to process and reflect on a felt emotion.
Reads: allow for deep emotional expression and introspection.
Empathy Development:
Reels: tend to desensitise us to emotional content and decrease empathetic responses.
Reads: help to increase empathy by encouraging us to live through many perspectives and emotions.
Information Processing:
Reels: can overwhelm our thinking abilities, leading to decreased retention and understanding. We think more, but remember less, and understand even lesser.
Reads: improves comprehension and retention of complex information. We think a little, understand more and remember the most.
Reclaim YOUR Emotional Depth Through Active Reading
To reduce the effects of constant scrolling and take care of your emotional intelligence, consider these easy-to-use strategies:
Practice active reading:
Allot a certain time for reading everyday without the interference of anything
Variety in Reading:
Reading a variety of topics and perspectives will expose you to different emotional landscapes and point of views.
Reflection over Your Readings:
A reading journal helps you process your thoughts and emotional responses after finishing a book.
Be Part of or Organise a Book Club:
Having conversations on what you read will keep you more informed and emotionally attached to them.
Read Together with Others:
Share the reading experience with family or friends to gain emotional closeness.
Though the reels and short-format content can continue to have their place in our diet, it is important to strike a balance between these and other activities that would build emotional depth and critical thinking. Actively reading on a regular basis builds up benefits that are created through literature into creating and preserving our emotional intelligence, therefore developing a rich, more empathetic understanding of self and the world around.
