Groucho Marx once said, "I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book." What I'm wondering is, what kind of world are we living in when children can turn on a computer and go to a website all on their own but reading is still a distant dream? I know, it's ironic that I am writing this on a computer, but the point is that I still love reading. If I had to choose, I would, without hesitation take books over the computer. I think it's unfortunate that the majority of the world would choose differently. It seems almost black and white, this or that, technology or written word? There seems to be no, if any, common ground. What will the world be like in 20 years if books are pushed to the side, only to be picked up at a later, more convenient time that will probably never arrive. I realize that the world is more fast paced than it has ever been, but what is life if one can not realize what they have whille they have it. I just wish that people would take 10 minutes of their day to take out a book, step outside, and realize that good things are hard to come by.
Books as a Last Resort? What kind of world is this?
By flgirl06 - Posted on October 9th, 2008
Books hold a lot of valuable information and insights. If this generation of Americans stops reading, what will they be like tomorrow? Reading books helps you to formulate your opinions on certain issues, see things from different perspectives, and realize things you never knew before. It's extremely valuable, and a necessity within our lives. Sadly, I too have been caught up in the technology phase, and have not successfully finished a book in months, however I still love reading, and now have the time available to do so. Books have helped me a lot over the years, and have taught me many things. I hope this generation of Americans wakes up and realizes how important they are!
I attend a Great Books school. Reading is what we do. I've read at least five books in the last month. Books I never would have chosen on me own, at that. And, the good news is, my class is the largest my school has ever seen. And we're expecting to bring in a freshman class next year twice the size of mine. There are, thankfully, still many people out there who understand the value of books!
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
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Ooh, ooh, pick me, pick me!!!
Some books i prefer ebooks to books. Books only take up space
Published Author and Poet
Teacher Education Student.
I agree. However, I'm not sure I have much right to make a post. I'm almost always on the computer, but I could still be perfectly happy living in a bookstore. Books are the best, they don't hurt your eyes, there is something tangible about holding a book that is a wonderful feeling. The smell of a book is magical. Opening a book is one of the best experiences I've ever had.
Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.
Please... the next generation won't become illiterate because they chose to use a computer over reading a book. I come here and spend a couple hours every day reading through blogs and comments of users on this site. Why is that less important than reading a book?
Of course, I say this as I have several books lined up on my to-do list, and have made it a goal to read many books on a few different lists within the next couple years. It's just hard to find the time to read long amounts with my schedule the way it is now.
~C
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