Why Owning More Books Doesn’t Make You a Better Reader

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Does a bigger bookshelf make you a better reader? In this video, I discuss the difference between owning and reading books. Drawing on philosophers like Walter Benjamin and Nassim Nicholas Taleb, we dive into the psychology of book collecting, the concept of the "antilibrary," and why unread books symbolize curiosity rather than failure.

Here, I talk about the cultural history behind book ownership and discuss the influence of social media on our reading habits. Whether you're a lifelong reader or someone just starting your literary journey, this video will inspire you to embrace quality over quantity in your reading life.

📚 References Mentioned:

Walter Benjamin: Unpacking My Library
Nassim Nicholas Taleb: The Black Swan
Guy Debord: Society of the Spectacle

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WHO AM I?
Hey there, I’m Cinzia DuBois On this channel, I talk about dark and ancient history, literature and folklore.

❗️DISCLAIMER
I'm very dyslexic, so I apologise for any mispronunciations that occur when I'm reading scripts for videos. Additionally, whilst flattered, I'm only a PhD student and not a professional educator. As such, I would advise against ever citing my videos or using them as an academic resource: please instead cite references for papers I list in the description box.

🔗 Sources and references below.