“Of course it’s true. I saw it on TV,” the elderly woman said, when pressed for why she believed a certain way about the recent presidential election.

Whether a viewer watches Fox or CNN or uses Facebook or other social media to obtain news, the average American’s grasp of politics and world conditions is apt to be shallow.

Granted, many have little time for reading. Shuttling between jobs and childcare and other obligations leaves some with understandable exhaustion.

However, most of us can read more than we do. We can spend less time on social media and more time reading reputable newspapers and magazines, as well as books (digitally or in print). As a working single parent, I was fortunate to be able to commute by mass transit. I used the time to read books. (I did have to watch that I didn’t miss my stop.)

Americans have access to more information and knowledge than at any time in history, yet we tend to listen and read at a shallow level: Too often, social media and a few commentaries on our favorite digital news outlet take most of our attention.

My husband and I are fortunate to live in a place with a bi-weekly local paper and access to a big city daily. Neither is flush with operating funds.

We might have to wait a while for a best seller, but our local library gives us access to print and digital books on any subject.

Eating and reading share similarities. Junk reading, like junk food, is a detriment to our individual and national health.