Welcome to English 1010! This blog is the place to find links to
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first reading, due Thursday, August 30th. Remember to bring a hard copy
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questions about it in class, and then post a question or comment about
it on the blog. Email me at emilywhitby1@weber.edu if you have any
trouble accessing the article.
Caleb Crain, "Twilight of the Books"
After reading this article I have a personal opinion to add. Personally I feel like my reading interest level went lower the more I would read the books the teachers would suggest from school. The reason is because I would get bored out of my mind and was yet still forced to read a book that wasn't interesting at all (until we read Harry Potter of course.) I think the school districts could do better at adapting to children's needs and interests. However, relating to this article I personally feel like television and video gaming has a big factor in lack of interest when it comes to reading. My theory though, is that it comes down to the parents as well. I feel like those who had parents that showed interest in reading and read to them had a higher chance of loving to read. Where today T.V also takes time away from parents which takes time from reading to their kids, which personally I think lowers the interest in the kids themselves when it comes to reading. The reason I say this is because my parents would read to us until child number three came along. I soon saw my mother watching more soap operas and other shows, and less time was used reading to us. I also see that from the third child and down that none of them show a in interest in reading unlike the older children. My question for the class: How many of you had parents that would read to you and found that you like to read? or is it opposite for you?
ReplyDeleteBefore I respond to your question I first want to agree with your comment about the things that teachers asked us to read in school. I really had that same sort of attitude towards the books that we read in school. Once I was out of high school and was able to choose whatever books I liked, I really found a greater desire to read. I really liked that point that you made and I feel the same way.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question...My parents read to me until I was about 8 or so. I remember my mom even leaving me recorded tapes for me to listen and follow along to when they would go on vacation. From what I remember I really loved reading when I was younger but once my parents or I grew out of that stage of reading together, my desire to read on my own definitely decreased. So as a younger child I found I liked to read but as a I got older it faded away.
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DeleteI totally agree with reading in your childhood then reading when you in your teenage years to when you get older. When I was in elementary school and junior high I loved to read books because books were so cool and interesting to a kid’s knowledge. They were so fun to talk about with your friends and learn new things. As I got into high school though, I tended to lose interest in reading books and only read when I had to for classes. I know realize though how important reading is and trying get back into the habit of reading.
DeleteI agree with this article to the fullest, that our older generation is less likely to read then a younger person in grade school. On the points that it is mandatory but even at that it gives the kids options, because there is always mandatory books but then when the classed is finished there is almost all the time a option to read a book of your liking. I was never read to as a child, at least i don't remember but knowing these points from this article when i do have kids i want to introduce them to books, because i don't want to limit them just because i was raised to read or them not not liking to read because they were never given the chance.
ReplyDeleteI personally read less now that I'm older because I just don't have as much time to read a book for enjoyment. All the books I have read lately have been ones that teachers have assigned me to read, and most of the time I don't like the books they make us read. I am just too busy and have more important things to do now days, but when I was younger I had a lot of time to read books like Junie B. Jones and Harry Potter. It's not that I don't like reading though. I do like it. So I think in this busy day and age it's just harder to find time, but there is a lot of TV watching also. I agree that reading is very important.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that because of all the busy things that go on in this age of time, its very hard to find time to read. I love reading as well,but find it difficult to pick up a book in my free time because I know it will be a while til I'll be able to pick it up again. Then when I do, I forget what happened in my last readings and so it can be frustrating when there is lack of time.
DeleteI believe that everything our generation does now is linked with instant gratification. When we turn on the old boob tube, we are presented with stories that are so interesting and so fast paced that we are put into a type of entertainment coma. I personally rarely get put into an entertainment coma when i read books. An example of this, The novel "The Hunger Games" took me a few weeks to read, whereas the film is the same story and same excitement all packed into two hours and twenty two minutes. Why read the book if one can get the same story and same thrill by watching a movie?
ReplyDeleteI agree with this statement. I read very little. Not because I have no desire to, but because I have a very difficult time becoming involved in what I'm trying to read. I have never had the patience to wait for the climatic parts of readings. I'm all about “getting to the point.” With chaotic life schedules and the availability of instant gratification, why wouldn't I choose the less time consuming option. An English professor told me once that she had read a study about human brain activity and the results of reading versus watching television. She stated that the study indicated that the brain “flat lines” while watching television due to the fact that information is being force fed to views rather than gathered. I often think to myself now when I consider watching television that I invite the opportunity to “flat line.” It's my escape from daily chaos.
DeleteHow does everyone feel about the opinion towards literate minds versus oral? Would you think that we as the human race would compensate in other areas of development where we may lack in literacy? We have been known to over come and adapt in very diverse and extreme situations. How or why would this be any different?
ReplyDeleteA Doctor states in Annie Murphy Paul's article “Your Brain on Fiction” that, Those that read fiction tend to be more understanding and empathetic towards other people. I'm personally not a fiction reader, but I know quite a few passionate fiction readers. I don't find this statement to be true. I almost see the complete opposite by witnessing exclusive fiction readers to be a bit withdrawn. How do others feel about this statement?
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree to you on most of the extent, however I do know very few exceptions. I've seen both sides where you are correct the majority of people that I've seen read fiction do become withdrawn from the world, it becomes their world and they don't really have empathy with people and adjust to their needs. They act as the way its displayed in the book. However there are a few I know that first want to emphasis and help others and then go into reading fiction with that mindset. I do see them helping others out more than what they did in the past and seem to have a better understanding. I think it has a lot to deal with the personality and character of a person, as I don't think a reading can change that in an individual.
DeleteAlthough I am a fiction reader myself, I do have to agree with you. Many fictional readers tend to keep to themselves due to the fact that they tend to live in their own fictional world. However, I do feel that as long as you only read fiction to an extent, it won't have a negative effect on you.
DeleteIn this certain article, I found ways to compare my own life to it as well as find fault in it as well. I would agree that when I read those words that effect the olfactory section of my brain that it does become real to me. Not so much in books, but when I watch a cool movie (mostly action) I feel more powerful after and want to do the same things as I watched (too bad I don't have the equipment to become Batman.) I've never asked this before thinking it was just me, but do any of you feel the same way after reading a book or watching a movie?
ReplyDeleteI completely understand where you are coming from with this. When I get done reading a book, and sometimes watching a movie I feel like I can better myself in ways. Whether it's being more understanding of others feelings, or willing to listen better to others, or even to just become more adventurous in my own life. I feel like books can change my outlook on life and where I could improve myself.
DeleteI agree with the article that as people get older they are tending to read less and less. I have noticed it with myself, and with other people in my family, even just in the past few years. I believe that this can have a big effect on society, especially if you think about what happens when people read. When people are reading, whether it be a novel or a newspaper, their minds are active and are engaged in what is going on around them. When people are reading, they tend to be motivated to want to solve problems and work hard. When people are not reading, people tend to become more lazy and do not care as much to what is going on around them. People tending to read less and less is a big issue, and people need to be aware that reading is good for you, not bad.
ReplyDelete@jeremy Gillen
ReplyDeletewhen I read my whole head fills with what I'm reading. I physically feel in the moment of the book, when the characters are in danger I feel on edge, when someone dies i feel sad, i am completely engulfed in the feeling of the book. Authors command such respect because i believe they are able to pull the reader into the world they create with their books. I also believe that this world they create is far superior to that of movie because movies are bound by actor limits, money, location, special effects ect. however when you read a book the only limit the story has is your imagination. Take for instance the hunger games trilogy, I , as many others in the class have read the books and saw the movie. But in my opinion the movies just couldn't do the authors story justice because the resources of hollywood pale in comparison to those of my own imagination.
How are we to learn about ourselves, our society, and what goes on in our world without reading? If people are becoming ignorant and not stressing the fact that our knowledge might be decreasing, just because we simply aren't reading enough, we're in trouble. It may not seem like a big deal now, but give it a couple years or so and it'll become a bigger problem. Reading at times to me feels like a chore, but it has to be done. Just like how we are required to read our articles and discuss them in class, it has to be done in order to engage and pass the class. I also agree with Jeremy. If I find a book that I enjoy reading, I'm going to read it. On the other hand, if a teacher assigns me to read a book like The Scarlet Letter, I'm not going to enjoy it as much or take interest in it because in all honesty, no offence to Nathainel Hawthorne, but that book put me sleep. I hadno choice, but I had to read it. It wasn't took bad once I finished the book. I was able to come away with some good lessons and themes. So even if we are forced to read something we don't want to read, going in with a good open mind might help you enjoy the book a little more.
ReplyDeleteIn the article it states that eventually due to telvision and movies only a select few will be able to read. So what happens when the actors in these films are unable to read their scripts?
ReplyDeleteThe actors might be part of those select few that are able to read, or there may be another fast past shift that will drastically increase the number of literate people around the world. The technology age is going to change or stay the same without any notice i think. what does everyone else think?
DeleteI don't actually think that it is going to get to the point that people will be able to read. I was just making an observation.
DeleteIn this article, "Twilight of the Books," on the last paragraph Crain says, "readers are more likely than non-readers to play sports, exercise, visit art museums, attend theatre... Perhaps readers venture so readily outside because what they experience in solitude gives them confidence." Does anyone agree? What do you guys think about this?
ReplyDeleteIm not really sure if this isn't true or is true. However maybe in addition to that their curiosity has been peaked by what they have read in books, making them seek out their own real world adventures.
DeleteYes, I agree. Maybe the things they have read in books adds to their imagination and then they want to explore the world themselves and make their own story.
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