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11.07.2012

A Rant: Reading Is A Waste Of Time.. Or So I Hear

Recently, I managed to overhear a conversation where several individuals voiced that reading was a waste of time. More specifically, it was decided that if it wasn't a work of non-fiction, it didn't warrant the time it would take away from other activities. GASP! To give you a little setup, let me first start by saying that I work in a corporate environment. The little start-up I agreed to work for was consumed acquired by a corporate giant. Things have changed a bit, mostly for the better, but we've all been overworked for quite sometime. We're Americans; it's in our bones. Let me be clear: I'm extremely grateful that I have a job. Yes, I'm grateful even when I feel like I haven't slept enough in weeks, or don't want to deal with another complaint for the rest of my life. Needless to say, many of us don't have a lot of free time (if any). However, to hear people say that if they did have more time they wouldn't waste it with book reading is something I can't ignore.


There are definitely moments that make me dream of the open road when certain conversations come up in the small, open space we inhabit (it's the hip thing to do), and conversations like this force me to step outside for a breather. To say that reading is a waste of time is to disregard the fact that you had to learn how to do so to even get an interview for the position you have (if you could even make it that far). Let's not forget that reading assists you in keeping your job, because I can say for certain that my inbox is always far (farfarfar) from empty. My blood begins to boil when I hear the same people go on and on about a certain Honey Boo Boo child that I have yet to lay eyes on, but know so much about because they discuss it so frequently. I may not watch television on a regular basis, and may not condone excessive bouts in front of the screen (that goes for any activity), I certainly wouldn't announce that watching reality television was a waste of time. I don't judge the fact that my co-workers spend the majority of their time watching professional sports, or the Honey phenomenon, or online gaming after their time in the office. Yes, even if they've admitted that they can't remember the last time they actually attempted a book. To each his/her own. I do, however, firmly believe that these activities are just as much a time waster as reading, if that's what we're calling it. But what do I know? And these time wasters, to some extent, don't provide nearly as many benefits as reading if we're going to really discuss it.

I'm surrounded by so many intelligent book bloggers, individuals I see rejoicing in book award announcements, classic novel clubs, and get excited about finding a new independent book store, that I fail to realize that much of the world doesn't share our fervor. I've heard so many comments during my 25 years of reading life, suggesting that it's an incredibly pathetic use of my free time, and noticed the looks of surprise when I mention I blog about books, that I probably should have been much more prepared for the announcement. Perhaps these people don't realize that reading and discussing is a way to keep your brain active. To challenge yourself. To meet people that share something you love. To meet people that are intelligent and make you feel great. There are so many reasons I read books. I learn new words. I realize new emotions. I recognize genius and feel inspired.

Reading could never be a waste of time. Society wouldn't stress learning to do so at such a young age if it were. Fiction creates children with active imaginations, individuals who become innovative leaders and benefit the world. I'd hate to live in a world where reading was deemed a waste of time, but apparently I do. To some small extent, anyway.

I can't stress how much I appreciate this little area of the world, a place where I can blab on and on about character development and plot lines. You guys are truly wonderful. Reading is such a wonderful use of my time and I can only hope that my children and the generations that follow will feel the same. I can only read more and blog more and get more involved to combat this ideology. And I know you will too. Thanks to all those bloggers out there that make me feel so great, and for keeping a "dying" activity alive.


30 comments:

  1. OK, now see, I don't understand how you can decide reading fiction is a waste of time but Honey Boo Boo isn't. I mean, if you don't WANT to read and would rather watch HBB, fine. Do what you want. But to claim it's a waste of time? There's no leg to stand on in that argument. Even if you don't want to read, you can't make a valid argument that those who do are fretting away their valuable time.

    You're right though, that being part of the book blogging community, it's easy to forget that out there a lot of other people don't like reading as much. SO GLAD we have the book blogging community.

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    1. Yeah, that's my argument. I actually think some people feel sorry for me when I say that I read a lot and enjoy it. It's crazy. It's really just like any other activity.
      Yes, the book blogging community gives me faith. It also allows me to vent frustrations like what I expressed above! ;0

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  2. So I have a friend who will only read nonfiction because her philosophy is similar: she wants to learn from what she reads.

    However, why can't we learn from fiction, too? Fictional books teach many lessons, facts, and theories, just worked into the made-up plot.

    It's sad that people are so close minded when it comes to reading. They miss out on so many amazing things!

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    1. Rebecca,
      You can learn so much from fiction. Some of it's even based or even includes facts. Whatever. Beside the point. Fiction, or reading, has been proven to benefit the human race in so many ways. Yes! They really are missing out on so much, but it won't ever change. Sigh. We can rant about it here though!

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  3. I am just gobsmacked by what your co-workers said. To say that reading is a waste of time is of the utmost ignorance (I'll leave alone their choice of television programs). That just goes to show that there's no difference between those who can't read and those who don't read. Solidarity!

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    1. Lori,
      Yes! I really struggled to keep my mouth shut. Well, I did say that reading wasn't a waste of time, but left it at that. Sometimes you just can't argue when someone is set in their ideas. However, I still felt the need to express my outrage here because clearly it is RIDICULOUS! Thank you for stopping by and showing support! :)

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  4. Yay reading!

    I try not to get too angry when people say reading fiction is a waste of time. I feel like it ultimately let's us understand our own world better which is not something I consider a waste of time. I guess you just have to let closed minded people be closed minded, knowing you won't change how they feel. It's a shame, but I think there are more of us who can agree reading is extremely beneficial at any age.

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    1. Brenna,
      Yes, I didn't argue this in the office. It was more - made a comment - and then moved on. However, I did feel the need to express myself on this blog. Perhaps I did let it get to me by even writing about it in the first place. I know plenty of people don't see it this way. I really should not have been shocked by the statement. Really. And I haven't thought much about it since. I really love reading and know that I'll never give it up. No matter how much time people think I'm wasting! )

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  5. Wow. A waste of time? That's crazy. Fiction is so much more real than "reality" television (from what I hear; I avoid it like the plague). As a fellow life-long reader, I've encountered surprise, incredulity, envy, and dismay at how much I like to read, but never somebody who though I was actually wasting my time. I think I would have exploded! And yes, thank goodness for the book blogging community because I know very few people in "real" life that read like I do, and even less who read the same things. Even though reading is generally a solitary activity, it's amazing how much camaraderie it can create.

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    1. Jennifer,
      I don't mind if people want to spend all their time in front of the circus that is reality tv, but I can't stand by and listen to the waste of time argument. It just doesn't hold up. I really wasn't so surprised but just needed to stress my grievances to a sympathetic audience. I'm sure so many people experience the same thing everyday, so you're fortunate you haven't thus far. I'll continue to read and write about it and waste as much time as I want!

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  6. *HUGS THIS POST* I love it. And yes. Yes yes yes yes yes. I really don't get it when people are like 'oh man, I have NO time to read' but actually what they mean is 'I just watch TV ALL THE TIME' I mean, not that I dislike TV, but still- reading is the best!

    I really just don't get it when people think fiction is a waste of time, actually. Because THE THINGS YOU CAN LEARN! I'm pretty sure all the important things I've learnt in LIFE have been through reading fiction and listening to Joni Mitchell. :)

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    1. Yes, I feel like I've heard this argument again and again, but maybe it just wasn't as abrasive. You can say you think both are huge time suckers, but to say that reading fiction is dumb? No, that does not stand in my presence. At least I made a small comment. And then went to crazy on this post to get it out.
      Yes, you learn so much from reading! Critical thinking?! Hello, that exists.

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  7. How frustrating! Life is short and nothing that gives pleasure is wasted time.

    I probably would have challenged them on it. As a teacher I go on and on about how much I love reading and how important it is every day so I find it hard when I have to deal with adults, who don't have to do what I say or listen to me :P I would revert into teacher mode and bore everyone to tears!

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    1. Sam,
      I agree completely. I did make a little comment but really just tried to ignore it. I knew what my view of the situation was and didn't feel like exerting the energy. I thought it would make a great blog rant though because I wanted to see if others encounter these kind of conversations. I'd listen. I think reading is great and don't see changing my mind anytime soon.

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  8. I was away from the web for a couple of weeks last month, visiting friends & family in another province. I truly couldn't believe that I couldn't find anyone to start a conversation with about a book or about reading.

    I understand how you feel - I get spoiled here among my book friend. too. ;-)

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    1. Yes, the blogging community has become a safe place!! I'm in the loop with new books and the like because of it! Plus, so many awesome people too. Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. I simply feel sorry for such people. They miss out on worlds and worlds of adventure, experience and knowledge.....more than they can ever live in one life time without books.

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    1. Risa,
      Yeah, I can't imagine a life without reading. I'll never understand and that'll be that! Haha.

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  10. Holy Moses, what a GREAT post!

    The question most asked of me is usually, "How do you have so much time to read?" My answer is always, "Well, you make time for the things you love."

    I always feel like they are asking me why I have all of this time on my hands. I feel like I'm being accused of laziness. Especially by those people who seem to think that busyness is some sort of virtue ;)

    No one should apologize for reading. Ever.

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    1. PS: Tweeting and sharing this post on FB. :D

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    2. Yes! I generally spend an hour or so at night reading. It really irks me when it comes from people that watch tv for a couple hours each day. If you have time to watch tv, or exercise, or surf the net or whatever it is that you enjoy doing, then I have enough time in the day to read! Thanks so much for sharing! :)

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    3. I just started The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe. On one of the first pages was a quote that made me think of your post.

      Reading isn't the opposite of doing, it is the opposite of dying.

      Isn't that fab?? :)

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    4. That is perfect! I really want to read that but just don't know if I can right now. It seems like there have been so many unexpected losses in my life that I don't want to think about it. Do you recommend it?

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  11. I admire your strength for not engaging these ignorant comments as they obviously wouldn't *get it* even if you had . I don't get why non-readers who make comments like that don't see how rude they are - if someone told them their TV watching choices were a waste of time, they'd become defensive and I'm sure their *feelings would be hurt* ;) This post made me think of this quote I saw recently:

    “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”
    ― George R.R. Martin, A Dance With Dragons

    While I'd love to argue till I'm blue in the face with people who feel reading is a waste of time, I know for the most part it's a lost cause and I take comfort in quotes like the one above. And I'm grateful for the book lovers I do "know"! :)

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    1. Brie,
      It's taken a long time for me to learn to refrain from people that I know won't really listen. It definitely irritated me but I knew it was a losing battle. Plus, I know how reading is important. I know how important reading is to the entire world. Yeah, I generally don't make too many remarks about how I think devoting hours each day to tv watching is sometimes a waste because some people just need to tune out. However, when the same people make that comment about an activity I love, I definitely take the time to address it here!
      Yes, I agree that it's nice to know so many people in this space that enjoy it as much as I do!

      Great quotation!

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  12. Sigh. These arguments always frustrate me. Leaving aside all the great things about empathy, history and the world in general that you can learn from literature I don't see how something enjoyable can ever be described as a waste of time. Perhaps we should all stop listening to music too?!

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    1. Jackie,
      Yes, it's a frustrating and ultimately not worth the energy in the context. And I don't see how anyone could make a statement like this but then agree to sit in front of a tv. However, whatever makes you happy I guess. Glad to be able to share this space with other literature lovers!

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  13. I get this all the time, IN THE BOOKSHOP, of all places. Too many times a couple will come in, the woman will go off to browse, and the man will try to start up some kind of conversation about how he never reads, how it's a waste of time, how he only ever picks up 'useful' books like manuals... They always do it with this kind of 'nudge nudge insider' kind of tone that implies that I must hate books and am only working here because I can't get another job somewhere away from all that nasty paper and ink. IT DRIVES ME MAD! Like you, my response is usually to cut the conversation short and return to the sanctuary of the book-blogosphere to calm down. :)

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  14. Beth - I'm going to get this blog up on the whiteboard tomorrow in class - it's brilliant. As a teacher it's so hard to encourage teenagers to read - I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle - they have so many other things to distract them, and more and more I feel as if celebrity culture is the only thing that they aspire to. Last week I took my yr 10s to the library with a long booklist to try and encourage them to read. Reading is NOT a waste of time - it's just one of the best activities you can ever indulge in. Great post, Judy. (did you look at my post "Beyond Black and my Book of books" - you can see how reading has been a lifelong passion for me).

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  15. Don't take this too personally, Beth. I wholeheartedly agree that reading isn't a waste of time. On the contrary. But its benefits aren't as evident as, let's say a workout session. There is no measurement for soul improvement and like anything, it can be as destructive as it is constructive, because it's experienced viscerally by almost everyone (I'm the first to say most literary irony is lost on me).

    We live in an era where everything has to happen fast for everybody. Reading is a slow, lifelong process. Especially fiction. It's something that sneaks up on your subconscious and makes you better on the long run. It's a lifestyle. If some people dismiss it right off the bat, too bad for them. They don't know what they're missing.

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