[DiapDealer]

I have no trouble believing that retention can be affected by how one consumes their text (electronic vs physical). I also have no trouble believing that one way might even be conceivably better for many people (with regard to studying and learning).

But what I reject completely is that these changes have to result in humans becoming more stupid. Did humans not adapt to written stories vs oral story-telling? Did they not adapt to the codex from the scroll? All while still managing to broaden their horizons.

What hurdles--exactly--do electronic texts pose that people think humans couldn't possibly overcome and adapt to? I don't mean "what are some cognitive differences between reading electronically vs reading physically that give people pause" that everyone has already trotted out. I mean, "Why will the electronic paradigm shift be the one that the human mind can't possibly adapt to, and use to broaden their cognitive horizons even more?" Why will this paradigm shift be humanity's Learning Rubicon rather than just another turn in the road?