In Neil Postman's book "Amusing Ourselves to Death," he discusses how the concept of testing a reader's comprehension emerged only in modern times. In earlier eras such as 1790, 1830, and 1860, reading was inherently linked to understanding. The notion that one would need to assess comprehension separately from the act of reading would have been viewed as nonsensical. This suggests that reading was once seen as a straightforward act of grasping meaning.

Postman's commentary highlights a shift in perception about reading and comprehension. What was once a natural cognitive process has now become a distinct skill to measure. This transformation reflects broader changes in culture and education, where the emphasis on quantifying understanding can detract from the intrinsic nature of reading as an engagement with text.