Did You Know Reading Books Doesn’t Automatically Make You Smart?
No, it doesn’t make you smart.
You might be confused by the title.
After all, since childhood, we’ve been told that reading is the gateway to knowledge, wisdom, and success.
You may have even heard the quote from Charlie “Tremendous” Jones,
“You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.”
But what if I told you reading books isn’t a guaranteed ticket to becoming smarter?
Intrigued?
Let’s unravel this paradox together.
The Myth of Reading and Intelligence
Growing up, I was always in awe of my Aunt Josephine.
She lived in a grand old house with wall-to-wall bookshelves teeming with books. Every time we visited, she would be immersed in a novel or historical chronicle.
We all believed she was the smartest person we knew, primarily because of her voracious reading habit.
However, as I grew older, I realized something that startled me. Aunt Josephine, although a well-read individual, often struggled with basic day-to-day activities, such as using new technology or engaging in nuanced conversations about current affairs.
That’s when I first began to question the age-old belief that reading books automatically makes you smart.
But don’t get me wrong!
I’m not advocating against reading.
On the contrary, reading has numerous benefits, including:
- Enhancing vocabulary
- Strengthening cognitive abilities
- Boosting creativity
- Offering insights into different cultures
- Providing entertainment
What I am suggesting, however, is that the relationship between reading and becoming ‘smart’ isn’t as linear as we’ve been led to believe.
So, Why Doesn’t Reading Books Necessarily Make You Smart?
The answer lies in our approach to reading and understanding what it means to be ‘smart.’
Misinterpretation of ‘Smart’
Firstly, it’s crucial to redefine our perception of ‘smart.’ Intelligence isn’t a one-dimensional attribute tied solely to accumulated knowledge.
According to Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, there are at least eight different kinds of ‘smart,’ including linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic.
Reading books predominantly develops linguistic and, to some extent, intrapersonal intelligence.
However, it does little for the other types of intelligence, like bodily-kinesthetic or spatial, which are honed through physical activities or visual arts.
Passive versus Active Reading
Secondly, not all reading is created equal. In an age of information overload, it’s easy to skim through a book, extract a handful of salient points, and move on to the next one without truly comprehending or applying the knowledge gained.
This is passive reading, and it doesn’t significantly contribute to intellectual growth.
On the other hand, active reading involves engaging deeply with the text, questioning the author’s assertions, making connections with prior knowledge, and synthesizing new understandings.
This approach not only enhances comprehension but also fosters critical thinking, a key component of intelligence.
Quantity over Quality
Thirdly, the number of books one reads doesn’t necessarily correlate with intelligence.
Devouring books at a rapid pace without taking the time to reflect, analyze, and integrate knowledge doesn’t make one smart. Quality trumps quantity when it comes to reading.
Sometimes, a single book, well-read and thoroughly absorbed, can change our perspective more than a dozen superficially read books.
Lack of Diversified Knowledge
Lastly, only reading within your comfort zone or a specific genre limits the scope of knowledge and understanding.
For example, exclusively reading fantasy novels might provide an escape and stir the imagination but won’t necessarily enrich your knowledge about world history or quantum physics.
So, How Do You Get Smarter Through Reading?
Having established that merely reading books doesn’t make you smart, let’s consider how we can maximize our reading efforts to foster intelligence.
Broaden Your Reading Horizon
Reading diversely across different genres and subjects broadens our understanding and perspective. So, mix up your reading list with classics, contemporary works, science, history, philosophy, biographies, and even well-crafted fiction.
Engage in Active Reading
Practice active reading by highlighting, taking notes, questioning, and summarizing as you read. This not only boosts retention but also develops critical thinking skills.
Reflect and Apply
After finishing a book, take time to reflect on the new knowledge and insights. Discuss the ideas with others, write a book review, or apply the learned principles to your life. By making reading an interactive exercise, we stimulate various parts of our brain, fostering overall intellectual development.
Balance Reading with Other Activities
Remember, different types of ‘smart’ are developed through diverse experiences. Balance reading with other activities like sports, music, art, socializing, and traveling to cultivate a well-rounded intelligence.
In conclusion, reading books has the potential to make you smarter but only when done right.
It’s not about the number of books read but about the quality of reading, variety of genres, and the ability to question, reflect, and apply that fosters real intelligence.
In the words of Albert Einstein —
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.”
So, read to ignite your imagination, broaden your perspectives, and enrich your understanding of the world.
Don’t just read to read — read to grow, learn, and truly become smarter.
