In the BBC documentary “Why Reading Matters”, science writer Rita Carter tells the story of how modern neuroscience has revealed that reading, something most of us take for granted, unlocks remarkable powers of the human brain. Unlike sight and hearing, for which our brains are hardwired from birth, reading is a vital skill that must be learned, a skill which in turn fundamentally changes the structure of our brains. Not only is reading necessary for a child’s success in schools and universities, but in everyday adult life as well. The ability to learn about new subjects and find useful information depends largely upon our ability to read.
Carter explains how the classic novel Wuthering Heights allows us to step inside other minds and understand the world from different points of view. She wonders whether the new digital revolution could threaten the values of classic reading.
Click on the image above to watch “Why Reading Matters”
