No idea where I could put that but I don’t want to see it sink into oblivion over there on Lemmy. So, here it is. It’s my reply to the question what surpises you the most about yourself?.
The part I wanted to keep is the ranting ‘bonus’ I added after my short reply. It’s all about reading and why young people themselves should not allow the adults around them—be it their teachers a their school or the whole educative system, or their parents—to deprive them of accessing what is probably the most powerful tool ever devised (I compared reading books to a cheat code in my comment and it is that, and much more). A tool still unrivaled to this day, to transmit knowledge… wisdom, feelings, emotions,… absolutely everything.
So, here it is.
- To still be alive. I have severe (non-curable) health issues + I narrowly escaped dead once already, that was a few years ago. Given that, I consider every single day as a gift or, at least, I try not to forget that it’s a gift even when said day doesn’t feel that wonderful to live through ;)
- My never ending love (and respect) for writing and for reading books. Both helped made me who I am as a person and they still do, every single day. Those two skills are essentials, but reading probably is the most important of them.
What follows has not much to do with the original question, so feel free to ignore it or you can see it as a free bonus ;)
(old moron rant mode ON)
Books are an almost magical way (without any magic in them, it’s pure brain power and smartness) to have a discussion through space and time with some of the brightest minds (and also quite a few of the dumbest ones, to be honest) humanity ever had. Books are also very patient teachers that will follow along at your pace, never rushing you, never holding you back. And then, some of those books may even become lifelong friends and companions that you will always be able to rely on, like a best friend.
That’s one of the reasons I’m so sad to see more and more younger people that don’t and probably won’t ever read a book in their entire life. Like if it meant nothing, like if was just another way to waste one’s time, like doom scrolling, binge watching or… fapping. It is not. Alas, one cannot realize that unless one starts making a habit out of reading and one learns to properly read.
Because, like walking, singing, drawing, building rocket ships or riding a bike, reading is a skill that must be learned before one can hope to get good at it. It needs to be properly learned. And there is no shortcut to learning that: it’s called education.
Teaching kids is something too many adults seem to have decided was not worth bothering with. When I first read this I could have cried if I was not already aware of the issue: The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books.
Those kids are not stupid, and certainly stupider than we were at their age, don’t get me wrong. But they’re also so screwed up it’s hard to describe. And it is us, parents and all adults alike, that screwed them up by failing at educating them.
It’s not just sad, it’s a tragedy. For those kids. But they won’t realize how deeply they have been screwed up by the failing educative system up until it’s too late for them. The day they will begin their own adult life and they will be required to compete against other young people among them, against those who will have been properly educated not just to be able to read books (and properly use them). They won’t stand a chance, no matter how smart they are, because being able to properly use books is like the ultimate cheat code.
So, if you’re young and happen to read this rant by a random old dude you will never meet IRL (hi from France, where our once reputed educative is at least as badly wrecked as the the US system discussed in the linked article). If all you know about books is that they’re dust magnets that have no WiFi, no Likes and no moving images in them (you’re not wrong). If you have never seen any of the so-called ‘adults’ around you open a book and have a fucking great time while reading it. If all or any of that apply to you, it’s not too late for you.
Go to your local library and get a card (it’s free, in most places). Once you get your card start bugging the shit out of your librarian by (gently) asking them for reading advice, making it clear you’re a beginner (that’s OK). Don’t be afraid to tell them you did not enjoy a book they suggested that’s not belittling them and, if they’re not stupid, they will be able to use your feedback to narrow down their next suggestion to something that will suit you a little better.
You don’t like/want to talk to librarians? Pick books yourself and test them (your school must have its own library). If you realize you don’t like one book, just put t back and try with another one as there is no law anywhere on the planet that requires a reader to finish a book they started but they don’t like. You can also start reading with friends, and discuss the book while you’re reading it, or after. Or both :)
One last advice that, I fear, will make most potential new readers run away from me and my stupid rant but that still needs to be told: don’t be afraid to read… classics. There, I said it. Don’t listen to the hype (or to the hate). You can be sure books that have withstands a few centuries of reader’s attention, if not more than centuries, are still there for a very good reason. No matter what some trendy influencer or some angry crowd may say about it. Also, it’s ok to start a classic and to not like it, that’s fine. Try some other one ;)
(old moron rant mode OFF)
Published: 2025 Nov 28