To Read Or Not To Read

Statistics show that although Malaysia has a literacy rate of 95%, it is not directly proportional to the interest in reading books.

A newspaper report states that Malaysians enjoy reading fiction, with thriller, romance, and crime being a staple.

Another statistic indicates that the reading rate of Malaysians is still low when compared to developed countries and still does not reach the ideal number of books that should be read, which is 30 copies a year.

I don’t have the luxury of reading 30 books either. 😀

If I do 5 - I’m happy.

But why is reading important?

Maybe this quote attributed to Mark Twain helps throw some light:

Do you read?

Every time I put this question to my nephews or nieces, I am met with blank stares.

When I ask young adults do they read? 80% say No, including my niece.

However, the gift of "The Little Prince" captivated her, sparking her curiosity.

When I chatted with my 13-year-old nephew about the importance of reading, writing, and math he started nodding his head and became intrigued.

Perhaps that should be our starting point:

To encourage our kids to wonder.

Lately, the elephant in the room regarding education in Malaysia emerged once again.

Minister after minister has come out decrying the abysmal standards of education, including the PM himself.

Somehow, I can’t help thinking of this as another PR exercise.

Because this is the very thing parents, concerned educators, and civic society have been clamoring for decades!

Unless there is real will, this is going to be another episode of the Triple S - syiok sendiri sahaja.

Education, Media & Entertainment

These 3 components - Education, Entertainment, & Media play a crucial role in the forming and development of minds.

This is what someone whom I hold in high esteem has reiterated time and again.

Perhaps a quick study of these 3 components using two authors whom I greatly admire from 2 different viewpoints can shed some light.

In the realms of dystopian literature, George Orwell's "1984" and Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" stand as cautionary tales, each offering a distinct vision of a future society.

Both works present contrasting views on the nature of oppression and control.

The 4 key differences between Orwell's dark prophecy and Huxley's chilling vision:

1. Nature of Oppression

Orwell's "1984" depicts a society oppressed by an external force, using surveillance, censorship, and fear to control citizens.

In contrast, Huxley's "Brave New World" portrays a society where people willingly surrender autonomy to a pleasure-driven culture, maintained through seduction and technological distractions rather than fear.

2. Control Mechanisms

Orwell's "1984" depicts a dystopia where control is maintained through pain, fear, and punishment, enforced by surveillance and the eradication of rebellious thoughts.

Huxley's "Brave New World" controls its citizens through pleasure, using a happiness-inducing drug called Soma and pervasive entertainment to keep people content and docile. Pleasure becomes a tool of control in this world.

3. Information & Truth

Orwell's "1984" focuses on the suppression of information and truth by manipulating historical records and controlling language.

Huxley's "Brave New World" highlights the inundation of irrelevant information, leading to a passive and apathetic society.

4. Culture

Orwell's 1984: Orwell warns against a culture of censorship and intellectual repression. The fear is of a society where books are banned, and dissenting voices are silenced, stifling intellectual growth.

Huxley's Brave New World: Huxley's concern is with a trivialized culture. He envisions a society obsessed with mindless entertainment. The focus is on distracting the populace from meaningful pursuits.

In conclusion, both exemplify extremes. One is rooted in communist ideology, the other in pure capitalism.

Which do you believe is more widespread in today's society?

The Value of Reading:

Today what we get to see over and over again is gutter or sensationalist journalism, a docile education system beholden to authority, and mindless entertainment content on social media.

Whether we like it or not, this is the current landscape for education, entertainment, and journalism.

If we aim to reclaim control over these vital aspects of societal formation, perhaps the first step towards that objective is to cultivate a stronger reading habit.

Reading provides significant benefits for personal growth, education, and expanding one's perspective.

Neglecting this skill puts individuals at a notable disadvantage in the ongoing process of learning and comprehension throughout their lives.

The reading habit commences at home.

If parents or adults don’t read, it's unrealistic to expect the children to do so.

If there is no dedicated space for reading in the household, it's highly unlikely that reading will take place.

If one only indulges in romance and horror, there's a vast array of other content readers are missing out on.

Final Thoughts

I’d like to leave you with this:

“Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.” 

- John Green, The Fault In Our Stars.

Recommended Reading

1. Illusions, The Adventures of A Reluctant Messiah - Richard Bach https://amzn.to/3w4HJdO

2. The Prophet - Kahlil Gibran

   https://amzn.to/3UiRz5M

3. 1984 – George Orwell

   https://amzn.to/4bokg7c

4. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

   https://amzn.to/49ln4Ay

Till next time.

Jude

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