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