Singapore pays people to pick up a book in battle against doomscrolling

Affluent city-state hopes plan will improve critical thinking and imagination ‘in a world of extraordinary abundance of stimulation’

Singapore pays people to pick up a book in battle against doomscrolling

TL;DR

  • Singapore offers financial incentives for citizens to read for 15 minutes daily.
  • The program aims to combat doomscrolling and improve cognitive skills.
  • Readers earn virtual coins, redeemable for cash, by logging daily reading sessions.
  • This initiative is part of a broader government effort to influence citizen behavior through financial rewards.
  • The plan is being implemented even as Singaporean students lead global rankings in reading proficiency.