This picture reminds me of what my philosophy teacher would tell us of her habits: that she would sit down after dinner every evening for good 2 hours of fine, rigourous reading. When I heard her say that, as though it was a commonly accepted practice, I aspired to do the same. But the internet or the TV never let me.
It is all too often that I feel I have wasted precious moments of my life, which otherwise could have be occupied by “fine, rigourous reading,” to be navigating through Facebook or simply receiving a movie as passively as possible. Despite all these forces that held me back, I still did manage to sit down at times and read a book. My academic career, mostly, made sure of that.
But now I wonder at the fate of the young people that I will teach. How and when are they to find time, or the energy necessary to combat the contrary forces, to sit down and actually read. Perhaps, the answer to my fearful wondering lies in what I have referred to as contrary forces. Perhaps it is within the platforms of social media or among the nonsense found in the confines of a television that these young people will experience what the man in this picture is experiencing from his wooden technology.
6 responses so far ↓
sarahmoir // Sep 12th 2012 at 6:44 pm
I feel the same way as you. I have lost my desire to make time to read a book for pure enjoyment. The overwhelming school “texts” have allowed me to make excuses not to read in the past few years. I loved reading as a child and hope that when the day comes that I can pass that love onto my children. I know that technology will make it a possibly difficult task, but I am going to do my best, and from there its up to them.
dinouye // Sep 12th 2012 at 6:46 pm
yes. when is there time in academic life (particularly this year/program) to read. a book. for pleasure?!
sarahmoir // Sep 12th 2012 at 6:52 pm
That is a great question!! haha There probably wont be much if any at all….
maya // Sep 12th 2012 at 6:53 pm
We won’t change your words! You can trust us!
kiranheer // Sep 12th 2012 at 6:58 pm
I still read a “non-academic” book for about an hour before going to bed, it a habit that started when I was still in elementary school and now can’t sleep without. I can’t fall asleep without reading about a wizard, exiled princess or brain-hungry zombie (thank you, Paranorman)!
faran // Sep 12th 2012 at 7:02 pm
Mind you, what my philosophy teacher meant by “fine, rigourous reading” was actually very heavy philosophy articles—and that’s what I aspired to. But reading for pleasure will also do; Anything but Facebook.
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