This article depresses me. There's no simpler term. I'm a reader, always have been, and it still floors me that people don't do this for fun. I feel uncomfortable if I'm not in the middle of a novel at any given time. I put off homework to keep reading. Even when I'm tooling around online, I much prefer something interesting to read than any of the multitudinous videos and clips scattered around the internet.
I did enjoy reading the article, if only because of it's topic, but I too found the information provided somewhat overwhelming. It took me a couple of passes to pick up all the detail, and although I enjoyed all of it, once I understood it, I am left wondering if it was all truly necessary to make the article worthwhile.
This article is in itself a good example of why some people find reading an overcomplicated way to receive information. I doubt that was intentional, but it's certainly a bitterly enjoyable bit of irony.
Trista,
ReplyDeleteI agree that the research provided in Cain's article proved to be slightly lengthy. However, when approaching such a generalization that reading is on the decline, it becomes necessary to prove this assertion with concrete facts. Although some of the statistics are redundant I found them to be effective. Everyone's response to "Twilight of the Books" that I have read so far, has referenced a sense of guilt or sadness. I will say that I would have liked Cain to expound more on his ideas that readers are more likely to act on their desires, as opposed to throwing a new idea out right at the end of the piece. I enjoyed your insight and perspective!
Happy reading :)
Trista,
ReplyDeleteWritten like a true lover of books! As Kaye Gibbons has said, and I paraphrase, no matter who I am with--friends or family--there comes a moment when I just want to get away and read a book.
It is unfathomable to think there are people who do not read. A world without books (and I'm not talking Kindle)would be a horrifying place to exist. As readers, we understand that a book provides entertainment, information, and companionship--a connection which television, the web, and even conversation fails to provide.
By relying exclusively on a myraid of poll results and statistics, which were rather tedious, Crain barely touches on the emotional and intellectual vacuum a readerless world would be. But perhaps he could not improve on Proust who Crain quotes as saying, "[reading is]that fruitful miracle of a communication in the midst of solitude."
Trista,
ReplyDeleteI agree the article was depressing. The fact that there are people who do not feel it necessary to pick up a book and read is unfathomable to me. The information was overwhelming and a bit confusing. When I am reading I would rather not be crunching numbers at the same time, but as Brooke said the information is really necessary to prove Crian's facts.
The article is overcomplicated. Good point! Readers seem to lose attention quickly when the material they are reading takes a an overly elaborate turn. When most people read they want to know the point as quick as possible because technology instantly gives people what they want. Therefore readers want to know the point immediately without taking the time to absorb the substance that most reading materials offer.
Also I agree with you Deborah, Kindles, Ipad, and so forth do not count as books. There is something about the smell of opening a library book and actual act of turning pages that is absolutely priceless!