Does it make a difference whether you’re reading something in a physical book or from a computer screen? Will it affect your ability to retain information if you scroll down your smartphone/tablet/computer screen or flip a page made of a substance made from wood pulp, rags, straw, or other fibrous material, usually in thin sheets, and used to bear writing or printing (otherwise known as paper)?
The answer in both cases, according to an article published online in The New Yorker on July 16, is both yes and no.
Traditionalists like me swear by the almighty book, especially for pleasure reading. Although some evidence points to people being able to retain information more effectively from a book, recent studies have shown that with the proper training, people can recall important facts from a screen just as well.
Click here to read the full article in The New Yorker.
Purchase your copy online from
Richard H. Harris 