Reading - Why has it become a feared thing?

Reading - Why has it become a feared thing?

In my posting on Instagram, one of the least favorite by followers, is content about books and reading. This I find too bad. People like Bill Gates are major readers. And Bill reads a lot of books and a diverse set of books at that. Back in the day everyone read more as a common practice. It was a bigger form of learning and relaxation.

Today with smart devices we more times pick video content than a text version. Many will say it is a matter of time. A few videos that they can listen to takes less time (so is said). Reading, even on a smart phone, takes more time, but maybe more attention than time.

My bias is reading opens us up to more understanding. It does take more effort and the value of time, to read. We must choose to create the time to read. We must be more interactive with the process of reading. And though I will also use an iPad and Kindle, a physical book is still the best.

And I think there are great rewards to reading, and like Bill, reading a diversity of types of subjects, as well as fiction and non-fiction. Reading offers insights into everything. Reading offers different views and perspective. It expands your thinking and creates ideas. It adds objectivity and helps you express your views better.

Though it takes attention and delaying gratification. You cannot binge watch books like YouTube!

For me it is not an either-or deal. It is I get to engage in both, and other information.

And reading is not just books. It is magazines (like the economist), or journals (like Foreign Affairs), and News Papers (NYT, WSJ). It is these and many other things.

It engages your mind and helps form your thoughts, and maybe teach us a thing or two.