Yves Irvine is pleased to welcome Grégoire Borst, Professor of Developmental Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience of Education at Université Paris Descartes. Professor Borst shows how reading is much more than just learning, having fun or retaining information. It is mental training and brain enhancing. By engaging working memory, perspective-taking, and sustained attention, reading builds real pathways in the brain that support critical thinking, empathy, and cognitive flexibility. Imagination enhances the ability to infer the mental states of others; The nonfiction book deepens factual knowledge and strengthens the ability to question, analyze, and engage in critical thinking. Over time, these habits may reduce risk factors for cognitive decline. Borst emphasizes that reading on paper often leads to stronger memory retention than reading on a screen, due to the spatial cues and orientation embodied in a physical book. It calls for the integration of meaningful reading into education throughout the life cycle. Ultimately, he invites us to view reading as a shared investment in collective intelligence, solidarity, and thoughtful, well-educated citizenship. Reading can be a powerful defense against fragmentation and a path toward deeper connection that fosters social interactions and good long-term relationships.
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