We engage with the printed word in a very different way than digital content. Tangible words on paper seem more worthy of serious contemplation, and tests have shown that physical material is more real to the human brain. Our senses of touch and smell are stimulated by the printed word, making reading a more multi-faceted experience. With the digital age, our thinking has evolved (or possibly devolved). Turning on a device opens a floodgate of information, which our eyes skim overlooking for key points, often satisfied with the PAPER WEIGHT by Ursula van Lelyveld information contained in a headline (which can sometimes purposefully be misleading). With one’s attention flitting between news, e-mails, text messages, memes, and more, the reading experience can be fragmented. Research is showing a decline in comprehension, meaning that a deeper level of understanding is not being reached. Reading the printed word has been shown to contain an element of meditation where the mind focuses on something still. Digital and printed mediums have different physical aspects too. The flickering glow of LED light can increase visual and mental fatigue, yet at the same time can contribute to insomnia and difficulty "switching off." As we are increasingly encouraged to live in the metaverse, a part of our humanity is endangered, and the lines between real and unreal become blurred. Spending too much time in a digital world causes one’s spirit to lack an anchor, while the simple act of holding and engaging with tangible paper has a grounding effect. With this in mind, we encourage our VUKA ambassadors to print and share hard copies of our newspaper, bringing our truth into the realm of reality.
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