Fewer Noses Stuck in Books in America, Survey Finds reports on a disturbing, if not surprising, trend:
The survey, called ‘Reading at Risk,’ is based on data from ‘The Survey of Public Participation in the Arts,’ conducted by the Census Bureau in 2002. Among its findings are that fewer than half of Americans over 18 now read novels, short stories, plays or poetry; that the consumer pool for books of all kinds has diminished; and that the pace at which the nation is losing readers, especially young readers, is quickening. In addition it finds that the downward trend holds in virtually all demographic areas.
Readers and non-readers display quite a few differences — although cause and effect aren’t clear:
The survey also makes a striking correlation between readers of literature and those who are socially engaged, noting that readers are far more likely than nonreaders to do volunteer and charity work and go to art museums, performing arts events and ballgames. “Whatever good things the new electronic media bring, they also seem to be creating a decline in cultural and civic participation,” Mr. Gioia said. “Of literary readers, 43 percent perform charity work; only 17 percent of nonreaders do. That’s not a subtle difference.”
The one exception to the decline in book sales:
The one category of book to rise markedly was that of religious texts, with total sales of $337.9 million, 36.8 percent over the previous year.
Sigh.
(Hat tip to Reason’s Hit & Run.)