Understanding Why Reading Is Unnatural

Reading is a skill that doesn't come naturally to humans. It requires explicit teaching and dedicated practice.

In this recorded webinar, "Reading is Unnatural," Professor Jeff Johnson discusses the complexities of reading, positioning it as a skill that doesn't come as naturally to humans as walking or language acquisition. With a rich cognitive psychology and computer science background, Johnson explains that while children effortlessly pick up language skills, reading demands explicit teaching and dedicated practice.

Throughout his career, Johnson has written several influential books on user interface design and the critical role of technology in serving an aging population. He shares deep insights into the evolution of the human brain, revealing that it developed without any need for reading, marking the skill as a relatively new addition to human capabilities.

Johnson points out the hurdles unskilled readers face and the significant implications these challenges hold for content design teams. He strongly advocates for simplifying text and incorporating visual elements to bolster comprehension. Moreover, he delves into how modern technology shapes our reading habits. Johnson stresses the necessity of tailoring content presentation to suit a varied audience, considering factors like age and reading proficiency.