As we continue to enter the age of technology, with endless innovation and access to the world at our fingertips, there are a myriad of things that we are beginning to take for granted or lose. Of course, this technology should be appreciated as it opens more doors than we thought ever existed, but the more simple things that we are losing should be noticed as well. These are things such as our ability to navigate, our personal communication skills, mental math skills, etc… What I see, as an important thing to bring to attention as we continue down this path, is our degrading passion for literature.
As a child, I would never leave the house without a book. Whether I was shuffling the pages of a mystery novel on the bus to school, or diving into a cheesy romantic story on the beach, I was always reading. I'd get lost in the pages of my books, entering the fictional world of their characters, hoping the end wasn't near. Now, I rarely find myself with a book in hand unless it is mandatory coursework. I am only reading what is required, and more often than not, these readings are not something I look forward to. I make my way through it, just to pass a test or write an essay, but I have lost the passion to emerge myself in the chapters of a dystopian world or plunge into the depths of the next Nancy Drew novel. I believe much of the world's population can relate to this. It seems very few people read books for leisure anymore.
In our digital world, it's almost as if podcasts and binge-watching on Netflix are the new substitutes for reading books. Instead of grabbing a hardback, we plug in our headphones and choose between various podcast choices and tv series. I am not one to say that podcasts are not educational or worth our time, and I can't deny having binge-watched "Grey's Anatomy" for hours on end, but our ability to read is paramount and our passion for it should not subside due to technological advancements. When we read, we interpret things on our own, assuming the emotions of the situations and imagining the body images of the characters. When we choose to simplify our lives to just watching and listening, there is little room left for creativity. We see the actors, hear the emotion, and are entertained by the show they put on. This ability to imagine what is going on, and create an original image of it in our head not only makes a storyline more interesting but also helps us develop resourceful skills to apply to the world. By refusing to read, we are refusing to develop our minds.
As someone who loves to write, this brings fear. I have been told I am a decent storyteller, but if no one is choosing to read these stories, what is the point? We are drifting away from the paperbacks and diving into season three of "New Girl." We are choosing not to read the stories, but have them acted out for us and while this may be good entertainment, we are hindering our imagination. My hopes for this upcoming summer, are to pick up more books and spend less time with my headphones in. Literature is currently losing its battle against redundant television series, and we should feel inspired to fix this. We should regain our passion for literature, and understand that reading is more than just a chore, it is a way of nourishing our brains.
