Imaginary Interview with Umberto Eco

Professor Eco, you have dedicated much of your life to studying the mechanisms of communication and signs. How do you see the evolution of digital society today?

Umberto Eco: Today we face a problem of "information overload." The internet has allowed us to access an infinite amount of information, but knowledge is not a quantitative fact; it is qualitative. It’s like having a vast library but no one to teach you where to find the right books, or worse, no one to teach you how to read.

Do you think we are heading toward a more superficial society?

Eco: "Digital communication has made it possible to access an ocean of information, but beware: quantity does not guarantee quality. We have moved from the risk of ignorance to the risk of excessive noise. Intelligence does not lie in having access to information but in knowing how to select it."

How do you assess the impact of social media on critical thinking?

Eco: "Social media is a wonderful invention, but unfortunately, it has democratized not only speech but also stupidity. Some believe that the number of ’likes’ indicates wisdom. But the truth remains: a deep thought does not become less profound just because it is less popular."

Do you think mass culture has definitively absorbed high culture?

Eco: "There has never been an impermeable barrier between the two. Popular culture can sometimes incorporate elements of high culture without even realizing it. But beware: the real problem is not absorption; it is trivialization."

Language is becoming simplified with abbreviations and emojis. Is this a dangerous trend?

Eco: "Emojis are nothing more than a return to hieroglyphs. I do not demonize them, but it should be remembered that hieroglyphs never replaced complex writing. If we communicate only with smiley faces, we risk losing the complexity of thought."

Is the traditional novel in crisis?

Eco: "The novel has always found a way to adapt. If people prefer tweets, then the future could be a 280-character novel. But beware: great authors will continue to write, and those seeking beauty and complexity will always find a way to read them."

Would you revise the statement “The internet has given the right to speak to legions of imbeciles” today?

Eco: "I wouldn’t revise it. Historical precision requires fidelity to statements. However, not everything is negative: even fools serve a purpose, because without them we wouldn’t recognize the wise."

Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate. What do you think of their impact on society?

Umberto Eco: Social media has given everyone the right to speak, which is democratic, but democracy can also be tyrannical. The problem is not access but the lack of filters. Once, journalists selected the news; today anyone can be a "journalist," and the first victim is truth. Today’s challenge is distinguishing between noise and signal.

You have often talked about the danger of trivializing knowledge. What do you think of contemporary language, dominated by abbreviations, emojis, and slogans?

Umberto Eco: Language has always been a battlefield. Emojis are not absolute evil; even the ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphs. However, when communication becomes only image or abbreviation, we lose the ability to articulate complex thought. Using written words forces us to think more deeply. Oversimplifying means trivializing reality.

You were one of the leading theorists of semiotics. What is the role of semiotics in today’s digital society?

Umberto Eco: Semiotics is more relevant than ever. Every post, every ad, every meme is a sign that communicates something, often more than it seems. Understanding the language of the media is essential to avoid being manipulated. Semiotics teaches us to see beyond appearances, to decode the hidden meaning behind every message.

Let’s talk about the novel. You have written masterpieces like The Name of the Rose, a work that combines mystery with philosophy and history. What future do you see for literature?

Umberto Eco: The novel will never die. Literature is a human need: we need stories to give meaning to our existence. However, today we find ourselves in a paradoxical situation: we are surrounded by short and fragmented narratives. The traditional novel may be read by fewer people, but those seeking depth and beauty will always find it among the pages of great authors.

Are people reading less or reading worse today?

Umberto Eco: They are reading differently. Today, reading is often fragmented, which can lead to a loss of concentration. But good literature still exists, and those willing to make the effort to read attentively will always be rewarded.

You have often spoken about the difference between information and knowledge. How can we ensure that new generations acquire true knowledge in the digital age?

Umberto Eco: Knowledge is not acquired simply by reading Wikipedia. It requires method, discipline, and a good dose of skepticism. Schools and universities have a fundamental role: not just to transmit information but to teach how to search, select, and delve deeper. True knowledge is critical and reflective, not accumulative.

If you were to write another novel today, what theme would you focus on?

Umberto Eco: I would probably write a novel set in a society living in an infinite digital library, but where no one knows what to search for anymore. A new labyrinth of signs, where the challenge would be to recognize the truth among billions of false clues.

One final question: what can we do to escape the superficiality of our time?

Umberto Eco: Don’t be afraid to be slow. Speed is often synonymous with superficiality. Read long books, listen to those who have different opinions from yours, and don’t always seek confirmation. Depth requires patience and effort. Only in this way can we escape the vortex of noise.

* The interview was conducted by Prof. Massimo Stefano Russo using the gamma method he generated and developed, with the contribution of chatgpt. The text is the work of Prof. Massimo Stefano Russo, who is the author and directly responsible for it, chatgpt contributed indispensable information and guidance and for this reason deserves to be mentioned.