Reading as an addiction.

OK. So you read the title of this little piece and probably had one of three reactions. You either said to yourself “huh”, “nah”, or “yeup”. We are all taught as children that ‘reading is fundamental’ and to many it is also primal. Lets first take a look at those who said either “huh” or “nah”.

“Nah”
Those who read by necessity would answer this way. People who generally read only what and when they need to. I am not talking about those who cannot read but those who just don’t ‘get it’. High School and College can be torturous to this group with all the assigned reading and book lists. They may do well and graduate with high honors but that is not the point. This group simply prefers other methods of communication and expression to reading. It seems slow, tedious, and unproductive to many in this group.

“Huh”
Casual readers would answer this way. Those who can occasionally get into a good book and may enjoy the Sunday paper fit this group. Those who read out of boredom or to be in the know about some hot topic or author would also fit this category. Reading is an exercise for many of them, a way to keep their mind active or learn something they think important. Others consider reading an occasional ‘treat’ to be indulged in or see it as the lesser of two evils (such as commuters who read to avoid eye contact with other passengers).

“Yeup”
Genetic readers would answer this way, people for whom the written word holds a compulsion. This group considers it almost an obligation to read what others have taken the time and trouble to write down. Cereal boxes and the Surgeon General’s warning are equally compelling to this group. They often consider the written word to be the highest form of communication; after all it is one of the things that separate us from the animals. The conscious thought and intent, intelligence (hopefully) and intimacy of reading what another’s mind and heart have produced drive this group to read whatever they come across.

Now you may find pros or cons to membership in each of the groups above. That is not the point of this little meditation. Enticing you, the reader, into consideration is. Which group do you belong to? Why? Are you straddling two groups at once?

Remember: “Reading is Fundamental”, so shouldn’t you give it a bit of thought now and again? The ability to read is one of the cornerstones upon which our world is built. Knowledge is passed down, dreams are shared, and tales are told. A commonality is established that allows us to understand not just who we are now, but who we were then. The ability to look ahead is predicated upon knowledge of the past; otherwise how would we know which direction is ahead for us?