The Digital Reading Condition

The Digital Reading Condition critically examines digital reading practices and scholarly efforts to analyze and understand reading in the mediatized landscape. It challenges print-biased conceptions of reading and argues that the complex media landscape requires us to rethink how to define reading as a mediated practice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Digital Reading Condition is a comprehensive and critical examination of digital reading practices and scholarly endeavors to analyze and comprehend reading within the mediatized landscape. Drawing upon extensive research on digital reading, born digital literature, and digital audiobooks, this volume delves into reading as a fundamental aspect of a broader cultural transformation that encompasses various forms of media and genres. By bringing together expertise from media and literary studies, digital humanities, scholarship on reading and learning, sensory studies, and research on multimodal and multisensory media reception, the authors challenge and redefine print-biased conceptions of reading that persist in both print and digital contexts. They argue that the act of reading itself is undergoing a profound transformation, and rather than dismissing digital media as unsuitable for sustained or focused reading practices, they suggest that the complex media landscape presents us with an opportunity to reimagine reading as a mediated practice.

This interdisciplinary volume appeals to scholars and graduate students across a wide range of disciplines, including communication, media studies, new media and technology, literature, digital humanities, literacy studies, composition, and rhetoric. It offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the evolving landscape of digital reading, providing valuable insights into the complex interplay between technology, media, and the reading experience.

In the first chapter, the authors provide a theoretical framework for understanding digital reading practices. They explore the concept of "born digital literature" and argue that it represents a significant shift in the way we produce, consume, and interpret literature. They also discuss the role of digital technologies in shaping reading habits and practices, highlighting the benefits and challenges of digital reading.

The second chapter explores the relationship between digital reading and the broader cultural landscape. The authors argue that digital reading is not merely a technological phenomenon but is deeply intertwined with social, economic, and political developments. They examine how digital reading practices are influenced by factors such as access to technology, cultural norms, and educational systems. The chapter also explores the impact of digital reading on traditional publishing industries and the emergence of new forms of literary production and distribution.

In the third chapter, the authors examine the sensory and embodied aspects of digital reading. They explore how digital devices and platforms engage readers' senses and how reading in digital environments can affect cognitive processes and physical well-being. The chapter also discusses the role

In the fourth chapter, the authors explore the role of multimodal and multisensory media reception in digital reading practices. They discuss how readers engage with digital texts through a combination of visual, auditory, and haptic modalities, and how these modes of reception shape their understanding and interpretation of the text. The chapter also explores the potential of new technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, to enhance the reading experience and provide new avenues for literary exploration.

In the fifth chapter, the authors examine the ethical and social implications of digital reading. They discuss issues such as privacy, surveillance, and the commodification of reading. They also explore how digital reading practices can contribute to social isolation and the erosion of traditional reading communities. The chapter also suggests strategies for promoting ethical and responsible digital reading practices, such as digital literacy education and the development of digital rights management policies.

In the final chapter, the authors summarize the key findings and implications of the volume. They argue that digital reading is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that requires a multidisciplinary approach. They suggest that future research should continue to explore the relationship between digital reading and other forms of media, as well as the broader cultural and social implications of digital reading practices. The chapter also calls for greater collaboration between scholars and practitioners in the field

In conclusion, The Digital Reading Condition is a groundbreaking and essential contribution to the field of digital reading studies. By providing a comprehensive and critical examination of digital reading practices and scholarly endeavors, this volume offers valuable insights into the complex and evolving landscape of reading in the mediatized era. It challenges and redefines print-biased conceptions of reading, advocating for a more inclusive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding reading as a mediated practice. This volume will appeal to scholars and graduate students across a wide range of disciplines, and it will be of great interest to anyone interested in the future of reading and media.

Weight: 471g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032078120