These days, pretty much everyone has a cell phone. Everywhere you go, you see people walking around texting, taking selfies or even roaming around playing "Pokemon Go." I don’t think I could walk down my street without seeing at least one person with their phone out. What does this say about our society? Are we becoming too absorbed with our mobile devices and technology in general? I would say we are. It’s time for us to put our phones down. Look away from the screen and read!
When I was younger, I was obsessed with books. Whenever I could, I would pick up a book and read. I was that child who read with a flashlight under the covers at night. I read so much because I wanted to learn, I wanted to understand certain things. See, when you read a book you learn about cultures and ways of life that are different than your own. You can experience someone else’s life. You can get pulled in and read for hours. Isn’t that fascinating? Isn’t that exciting? Well, these days, not a lot of people think so. Kids don’t seem to want to read. They don’t seem to understand what reading can do for them. Instead, they are excited about what the newest app is or they are taking selfies. Adults aren’t any better. Society has grown attached to electronics, specifically phones, and forgotten what it was like before we had them.
Before smart phones became popular and technology really took a hold, I know I saw more people reading. They weren’t just reading books, either. They were reading magazines, newspapers, comic books. Now that you can read everything on smart phones, people don’t seem to see much of a need to buy a magazine or newspaper. If people are reading, they’re reading off of their phones or tablets and still keeping their eyes on their phone screen! People don’t need to have their eyes on a phone screen all day. I fear that because so many people are taking advantage of what technology can do for them, books are being thrown by the wayside.
Put down your phone, and go pick up a book. Open it, flip through the pages a little bit, maybe take in the smell of the book (each book has its own smell) and just read. Even if you only read a few pages, that is less time you are spending with your eyes glued to your phone. If books aren’t your thing, go buy a newspaper – it has a comics section! What’s important is that you read (preferably an actual book). Read and read and read and read. Ignore the "Farmville" notifications for a little bit; they are much less important. Please stop being obsessed with your phones. Be obsessed with books instead. Go to your local library or bookstore! You’ll meet some great people who can show you what books are worth reading and why reading is so awesome.
Would you rather have a conversation with someone about a new book you’re reading, or would you rather have a conversation with someone about what level of "Candy Crush" you’re on? Just some food for thought.
