[potsandpans]

> If you think of reading as one means of consumption of information then the ability to read may just be outdated, and people are moving to new forms of information consumption.

Im not sure that this is an accurate observation -- at least wholly accurate.

The implication being, "other forms of consuming information are equal to the desired end goal." Or perhaps more strongly, "other forms of consuming information are better at achieving the desired end goal."

For which, you'd have to define an end goal. If it's pure entertainment, I think I'd agree with the above.

But there are other important reasons to consume information, and I'm unconvinced that there is anything better than reading. Things such as synthesizing complex ideas and retention of information come to mind.

I realize this is unsubstantiated, there may be research into it. To me if feels self evident, but i can only offer anecdotal evidence to support it.

[ahi]

The written word offers a precision not found in many other media.

[Charon77]

Yet there be clickbait headlines. Novels are written for people to imagine the scenes described by the author, requiring your own 'filling in' to be immersed in the story.