Books are my drug of choice

In recent months I have been thinking a lot about things like education, intellectualism, and reading. I remember reading an article online that raised some controversy among the readers who commented on it. The article was about an author of books for young readers who created an interactive website set in the world of the series he'd created. Somewhat tangentially, this sparked a discussion on the definition of reading itself. Some commentors expressed their opinion that the only true reading is done in books and newspapers. Others rejected such a rigid definition, believing that reading is done in many media, such as blogs, magazines, and even video games, to name a few. What struck me about this debate was that no one was disagreeing on the basics of reading. What they were really arguing about was the apparent quality of the reading material. That lead me to the realization that reading is merely the act of transferring knowledge (of whatever caliber) to the mind. Let's leave that thought for a moment.

As far as education goes, I'm in favor of it. I don't think that every person benefits from the exact same type of learning. That's why God invented majors. I accept that some people are better suited to, and indeed seek after traditional education (i.e. colleges, universities, etc.). Some people are drawn to more practical knowledge, like technical programs. I encourage everyone to seek after whatever knowledge they think will help them to improve their lives. What I can't accept is when people choose to be ignorant. I realize that different people have different limitations and different interests. For a person who truly wishes to learn, however, I believe that those are surmountable obstacles, especially in this country. There are many ways to learn. I take issue with people who willfully deny their minds the opportunity to improve, especially when they hold strong opinions on things they know nothing about. I believe in knowing enough to know when you don't know everything. That might seem a little convoluted, but the principle is sound.

This brings me back to reading. I don't believe that one can only benefit from reading if the reading is intellectual (in the sense of pursuing facts). Reading for pleasure is also beneficial. As Tom Stoppard said, "It is better of course to know useless things than to know nothing." The act of reading, as discussed above, exposes the mind to knowledge. Knowledge comes in all kinds of forms. Even subconscious knowledge can be gleaned from reading. Ideas are found everywhere in all types of books. There is a wealth of knowledge and ideas all around us all the time, insubstantial, but there just the same! Choosing not to tap into that wealth...I don't understand. I don't accept that some people do not possess curiosity. I believe that they simply deny it. They deny it because they are afraid. The old adage "ignorance is bliss" is not without truth. There are many things that I am sadder for knowing, but I do not regret the knowledge. While my work, my surroundings, my environment may change, there is one thing that always remains constant. My hunger for the knowledge that I have yet to obtain is never erased. In short, readers, I know that your soul seeks that which can be obtained only through the written word. And that's why books are my drug of choice.