Learn to Read ~ Read to Learn

Sounds so trite, but young people today aren't reading. And I have asked myself why so many times it has nearly driven me mad. Sure, there are options today that never existed when I was growing up. Today, kids have computers, electronic game devices, like "Game Boy" and "Play Station", DVD and MP3 players, and the dreaded cell phone with "Texting". Texting, there is another phenomena to write about one day. Will this lead to people not talking in future generations? Ah well, back to what I was talking about. But, are these new products of technology the reason people don't read? It sounds good, but I'm not convinced. It seems to me that this argument is really a "Cop Out", too simple, to pat. But there are some undeniable parallels that support this theory.

About 120 years ago, the automobile came into existence. At that time, people rode horses or used wagons and carriages to get around. The older generation of that time stuck to their horses, but the younger generation flocked to this new technology like ants to sugar. Within 30 years, horse ownership fell to almost nothing in populated areas. Then, about 65 years ago, the TV became the greatest new thing. Before that, people used to huddle around their radios and listen to their favorite programs at night. Now they were watching "Amos and Andy" on the TV. Music also went through technological changes, from vinyl records, to tape, then the CD and now, what is the newest thing, the "iPod"? As you see, a technology GURU I am not. I really miss not having a 12 year old around the house to keep me current on all of this new stuff. So, does this make the case for the drop off in reading today?

I have to admit that this is part of it. Today people have more choices, and easier ways of entertaining themselves than ever before. And, there is truth in the mantra, "Why read the book when you can watch the movie?", after all, human beings are really a lazy species. Look, maybe 1 in 100 people under the age of 30 has read "Cinderella", but every one of them has seen the movie. How many young people have read "Gulliver's Travels" or "Alice Through the Looking Glass"? How many have seen the movie? Yea, I know, a stupid question. Movies and TV have made it easy, but not necessarily better.

I can't speak for you, but when I read "Gulliver's Travels", I never pictured Gulliver as Jack Black! Not in a million years! Which is one of my points, reading provokes your imagination. When you read, each character is created in your mind, each scene is painted by your imagination. Yes, you read the book, but your mind creates a virtual movie, your own personal and private movie. When you see it on the big screen, you get someone else's vision, some one else's interpretation. And I see this as the real reason people need to learn how to read! Reading stimulates your imagination, exercises your mind, and that is just as important to good health as physical exercise! But, this is a result of not reading, not the reason people don't read.

I think that the primary reasons run deeper than all of this. I hate to sound like a broken record, I really do, but the reason people don't read today lies in education. Sorry, but I had to say it. Back in the "Stone Age", when I was in school, my teacher would read a book to us. One chapter every day. As I got a little older, the students would do the reading, taking turns. We read "The Hardy Boys", "Nancy Drew", some of the classics made for young people like "Alice in Wonderland". We looked forward to this time of day so much, that teachers would use this as a tool to make the class behave! If someone got out of line, the teacher would take away this reading period and force us to do something despicable, like take another math quiz. After school, the class would demonstrate their collective displeasure with the offending student, and this usually solved the situation in the future. My point is that reading was emphasized when I was in school, and I am not too sure that it is today, and I don't know why.

Today, books are beginning to go through a technological change. It seems that everything is, so I see no reason why books should be immune. Though they have been around for a few years, "Ebook Readers" are gaining in popularity. Truth be said, I like this! I plan on getting one and I'm looking at a few now trying to make a decision on which to buy. Not that this is important, but if you have suggestions, drop me a comment. I still like the feeling of being in a room filled with books on shelves, comfortable overstuffed chairs to sit in while you escape into the pages of a good book while enjoying a good brandy and a fine cigar, but who can afford such luxury in today's world? Certainly not an Old Hippie who lives a scant existence, on Social Security. But I don't need the room. I can create the room in my mind with my imagination. something I learned by reading.

Look, there are books for everybody. No matter what your passion or interest, there are books written for you. I don't think what you read is as important as the fact that you do read. The more you read, the more you will learn, it is that simple. Read for entertainment, read for information, read for passion, read for yourself. You will learn and you will be a better person. But this is only the opinion of an Old Hippie, just an archaic remnant of days gone by, what do I know? Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie