In Defense of Books, outstanding article.
The author, Michael Hyatt, is talking about books in any form, paper, audio, or ebooks.
The argument is that "sustained arguments" or long stories, "books" are a linchpin in civilization, and perhaps even something without which civilization may fail, or fail sooner.
I agree very much.
Since about seven I have been a voracious reader. One of the oddest views in the world to me (though one I'll have to get used to as ebooks advance) is a home without book shelves. To me it's like a home without a sink or a bed. Where do they keep their books?
The article makes the point that more successful people tend to read more. (Although work certainly is an important factor!) TV takes this place in other homes. The question is, do you merely wish for entertainment all the time, or do you have a craving for knew knowledge and new thoughts? To expand your mind and your skills?
3 comments:
The question is, do you merely wish for entertainment all the time, or do you have a craving for knew knowledge and new thoughts?
This seems to imply that reading must be an intellectual endeavor. Most of the books read are fiction, and most of them are thrillers and romance novels. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but you're not necessarily a big brain just because you read a lot. It depends on what you read. Personally I mostly read fiction, and mostly thrillers, so I'm not suggesting I'm any better. You won't find me reading any science journals any time soon. And history, unless it's in fictional form, does interest me. (For example, right now I'm reading Captain Alatriste but would find reading a history of that time boring.)
Quite right, it was quite over-simplified for the argument's sake.
But you need a minimum of education to read habitually.
And even Harry Potter has many worthwhile thoughts about how life works.
Eolake said...
"One of the oddest views in the world to me (though one I'll have to get used to as ebooks advance) is a home without book shelves."
I think there are many, from our families' generations, and earlier, who simply couldn't afford to have many books, nor the time to read them. Many were laborers who toiled day and night to make ends meet. And then, as you mention, Eo, "TV takes this place in other homes." What began as a "luxury" item (a B&W t.v.) became as commonplace as a radio in homes and became convenient "babysitters" of our own generation where parents were still working hard and not spending much time w/raising families, anymore, because the mother of the family started leaving the home to go and work for that second income. Not too much time to become educated unless you were part of a "privileged" family. And so goes the need for books when no one is home to enjoy them and the children are, happily, being "injected" 'Leave it to Beaver' (and, later, 'Star Trek,' etc.) on t.v. This is also where the term "latchkey kids" comes from. :-( At least, that was how it seemed to be, in the states.
Post a Comment