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Chapter 1 - Scripted Influence

Written Media Transform Societies and Individuals

from Part I - Foundations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 April 2026

Falk Huettig
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Psycholinguistik, The Netherlands
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Summary

The medium is not merely a channel for transmitting information or a passive carrier of content. While we tend to focus on the content, it is the medium that brings about the deeper, transformative effects. Extending McLuhan’s insight, one compelling conclusion emerges: The mind is the medium. The science of the benefits of the written medium for individual minds elucidates the myriad ways in which reading reshapes and enhances human cognition.

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  • Scripted Influence
  • Falk Huettig, Max-Planck-Institut für Psycholinguistik, The Netherlands
  • Book: The Perks of Being a Bookworm
  • Online publication: 23 April 2026
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009701471.003
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  • Scripted Influence
  • Falk Huettig, Max-Planck-Institut für Psycholinguistik, The Netherlands
  • Book: The Perks of Being a Bookworm
  • Online publication: 23 April 2026
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009701471.003
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Scripted Influence
  • Falk Huettig, Max-Planck-Institut für Psycholinguistik, The Netherlands
  • Book: The Perks of Being a Bookworm
  • Online publication: 23 April 2026
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009701471.003
Available formats
×