Two YouTube Influencers Discuss the Vexing Problem of Why Young Men No Longer Read

Today we're going to have a real meeting of the minds. We have You Tuber extraordinaire J. Turner who's built a large following on his platform through his passion for philosophy, literacy, and finding the perfect mattress. Joining him will be fellow YouTuber who goes by Fortinbras Stallworth, a man of many interests and passions ranging from Anime to pondering the great philosophers as he sips craft beer. Both hold PhD's in philosophy and, coincidentally, both wrote their dissertations on Kierkegaard. Also, they are recent (and enthusiastic) converts to Roman Catholicism, bespectacled, bearded, in their "early 30s."

A transcript of their discussion:

J. Turner: Thanks so much for agreeing to have this discussion with me on a topic important to both of us - the crisis of male literacy.

Fortinbras: Thanks for inviting me on J. 

J. Turner: So, let me start out by asking you, when did you become aware of the crisis of literacy and masculinity?

Fortinbras: Well, I go to the gym every morning at 5am to lift. I always bring a book with me, and I noticed I was getting funny looks from the other guys sometimes. One day this dude approached me about why I always have a book. I explained I try to read whenever I get a free minute, he chuckled and walked away. It was then I knew we had a crisis of male literacy on our hands.

J. Turner: I had a similar experience, I go to the gym in the pre-dawn hours and noticed none of the other guys were reading. They were all watching sports highlights on their phones. I'm like, why are they not using their free time to read the great books? I mean, the data is clear, we got a crisis on our hands. I decided that day it would be mission to lead all young men to the great books. Sounds like we both had out epiphanies at the gym! 

Fortinbras: So I was in line to vote last year and reading Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman on my phone and I was like, wow, he predicted all this! We're living in it! Everyone's just addicted to a never-ending stream of micro entertainment. Wasn't it ironic I was waiting in line to vote?

J. Turner: Totally. So, I know many young men watch your channel and come to you for advice on reading. What are you hearing from them?

Fortinbras: Everyone's obsessed with productivity. Young men are under intense pressure from peers and family to always be busy - and always be making money. It's a rough economy out there, and men simply don't see reading as worth their time with the exception of books on business acumen and becoming alpha. 

J. Turner: The young men I talk with say similar things. And when they start reading books they either go for Blood Meridian, Crime and Punishment, or Infinite Jest. They view books as things to be conquered. But when they start reading those books they quickly stop. 

Fortinbras: (laughs) There's also all the distractions. Men have unlimited access to video games, sports, and porn of course. It's just hard to fit in books amid all those distractions. 

J. Turner: Technology is to blame for all this. You can forget about all the other social issues of 2025, young men not reading poses the greatest threat to the future. Where will we find great men if they are not reading the great books? 

Fortinbras: You raise a great point. I lose sleep over this, a generation of men not familiar with Chaucer, it's an unspeakable tragedy.

J. Turner: Funny you should mention Chaucer. In my first year of graduate school, I took a life-changing seminar on Chaucer. I mean I went on this intense reading journey learning everything I could about Chaucer, learning everything I possibly could about the man and the time period. I partied a lot too, but I cannot emphasize enough how much reading all those books on Chaucer shaped me as a scholar and the proud man I am today. I bet you had a similar experience. 

Fortinbras: Oh yes, I was studying abroad at Oxford and I in a seminar on C.S. Lewis and and Tolkien, I started reading everything I could about Middle Earth. At one point, I even though I was on middle earth. I'm fluent in all the languages Tolkien invented, even invented some of my own. 

J. Turner: Anyway, let's pause for a short break.

J. shows a video of him bouncing around on his huge mattress. It was a gift from his sponsors. Yes, the mattress does cost $10,000 but it's worth every penny. You'll never have a bad night of sleep if you purchase this mattress. The video ends with him in his pajamas frolicking with his cat on the mattress. 

J. Turner: Welcome back, my wife films all my commercials. It was all her. She also does my hair and makeup. Anyway, back to the crisis of our times, men and literacy. The world's future really depends on young men reading. Fortinbras, what's some practical advice to get men reading?

Fortinbras: Well, I tell guys to just read something fun and carve out just 20 minutes. Reading something fun is the key.

J. Turner: That's the trick. I hope they can realize the amount of pleasure a book can provide. And there's no feeling like conquering a massive novel. Wrapping your hands around and caressing the book after finishing is a feeling like no other.

Fortinbras: I get so many emails from depressed young men who feel like the world hates them, if they only knew the power of books! (raises his fist Darth Vader style)

J. Turner: Same, we must save them. You know, don't get me wrong, I've always considered myself a hip guy. I was listening to Arcade Fire before anyone knew of them. I was obsessed with quoting Nietzsche at parties. I have an even more radical solution. Let's reconsider compulsory military service. That's the kind structure and discipline these young men need. 

Fortinbras: Never knew you were a military guy. Did you enlist?

J. Turner: No, but I've read a lot of military history! I've done extensive studies on Greek and Roman military strategy. An entire room in my house is filled with volumes of WWII history. I'm quite confident I could command armies based on my extensive reading and mastery of the board game Risk.

Fortinbras: You see, that's a good selling point to young men. Read military history and you will become a master of the universe - and conquer the world. 

J. Turner: Exactly. Back to my point about compulsory military service. Don't call it a draft, call it Manly Reeducation Mission (MRM). We'll get Rogan and Friedman on this. Elon's on my speed dial; he'll love the idea! I have it on good authority that the powers that be in Silicon Valley and DC are giving the idea serious consideration. 

Fortinbras: Will women be included in this new cultural offensive?

J. Turner: Absolutely not. Women are well adjusted and are running the world now, in fact being around confident young women is harmful to the psyche of these restless young men. Young women face nothing like young men must endure these days. But anyway, we'll also have compulsory reading programs. It will connect a new generation of men with the traditions of their true legacy. In addition, they will be forced to attend church services and bible study. Is there not a more powerful book than the Bible?

Fortinbras: You know, 10 years ago I would've laughed at that. I was a non-stop with drinking and partying, my "secular" parents never bothered to give me religion. My two sons will be heavily encouraged to experience the full force of the TRUE church that's brought so much clarity to my life. They WILL NOT lead the life of partying, girls, and drinking that corrupted me as a young man. Not that kind of fun for them. They will be getting strict moral and spiritual instruction.

J. Turner: Same, I also had way too much fun as a young man and now I regret all of it. Fun, won't be in my kids vocabulary unless it involves serving the church and broadening their minds.

Fortinbras: I feel it, we are going to save this generation of broken young men through discipline, service, and religion. 

(Pause for another break, J. reads ads for sports gambling and vitamin supplements - these sponsors bring in tons of revenue)

J. Turner: So, to conclude our discussion. Young men have way too much freedom. That's the problem. Banning porn should also be on the table. Discipline and routine will lead to books and the literacy crisis will be solved.

Fortinbras: I agree, limiting freedom is the answer. It may not be popular, but social media can persuade anybody to do anything - and convince them it's freedom. We've read the entire Western canon. We're part of the Kierkegaard brotherhood. We're the authorities. I've devoted thousands of hours to books. How could I be wrong? 

J. Turner: I want to thank everyone for watching. Come see us next week when we discuss "The Case for Restoring Feudalism. What the Medieval Mind Can Teach the 21st Century Mind."