Reading is the Source of a Powerful Mind.

These days, we spend so much time reading WhatsApp messages that we often forget to attend to more substantive things. True, some of the WhatsApp groups are edifying, promoting better understanding amongst people and expanding the frontiers of knowledge. But such groups are the exception. Many of these groups simply peddle low grade information, and the only beneficiaries are the telecoms companies who remain quite happy with the amount of data we consume.

If those of us who are adults are finding it difficult to be focused in what we consume, you can imagine the problem the younger ones are facing. Some of us can rightly claim that we were weaned on James Hadley Chase, Mills and Boon, Africa Writers series, etc. Yet we struggle to focus on what we read. Many in my generation will find it difficult to tell you the last book they read. All they depend on now are Whatsapp messages.

Then we now shamelessly blame our children that they don’t read. Why should they read? What example have we set for them? The culture of only reading to pass exams leaves us a barely functional society. It only enables us breed people who can barely think. And they are the ones who cede their thinking to their pastors, imams and politicians. And trust these categories of people; they take full advantage of this and turn their followers to zombies.

Which is why today, many people find it difficult to address issues that ordinarily should not be a problem for them. Little matters that a rudimentary understanding of psychology would help resolve are parceled to prophets and shamans to deal with.

As such logic takes a flight and all they see are enemies. Sure, there are enemies and people who don’t mean well for us. But we must not allow the fear of such people paralyze us and fail to apply ourselves.

Reading can make us better people.

-          Excerpts from What are you reading?, an article by Fred Ohwahwa.