Why is reading important for an individual?

Question

I know why reading is beneficial but my friend doesn't believe me

Answer 1

All that information on the internet, in books, magazines, newspapers is all in words - just as this answer is.

I am sure that your friend can read this answer, right?

You probably meant "read books". You can get a college degree and pass exams by Googling questions but when it comes to knowing a subject in depth, the internet just doesnt hack it. Sitting down and reading a book or several chapters starts to build an information database inside your head. As more information comes in on the same subject, the btain can hang the new thoughs off the existing framework. Would you like it if your Doctor, lawyer or architect had to look everything up? You may think they do but they are merely confirming what they knew from books.

Books are deep and slow. the Internet is shallow and fast. Book-learning is for real, for keeps. Google is forgotten in 8.3 minutes.

Answer 2

The better question is how ISN'T it beneficial? Reading helps in every aspect of life.
For example:

-Good luck getting into colleges if you read poorly. I hope you like Burger King!
-Good luck finding an intimate partner after high school if you are a dumbass.
-Good luck with avoiding unfair contract agreements when you can't read the fine print.
-Good luck being a supportive role model for the children you will likely have one day.
-Good luck not getting owned in a dissing contest if you're vocabulary sucks.
-Good luck having any kind of meaningful employment at any time in your life. Even trade work requires you to read manuals, and text books.

Reading is also a great way to relieve stress. To escape into another world for a while is to forget about your problems, and be happy.


Tell all that to your friend. If none of the things written in here convince your friend, then just wait a few years. When it comes time for you, and all your other friends to move away to university/college, and your friend is stuck sitting there all alone it will hit them that reading may have been a good idea.

Answer 3

First of all, reading stimulates your brain to build up on its semantics and cognitive functions. When you read, you are exercising your brain. In addition, reading helps to expand your vocabulary which is great when you need to put somebody down after a provocation. Reading increases knowledge and believe me, there is nothing sexier than an individual who is educated and knowledgeable. You should tell your friend that if reading isn't important, then he should probably quit school because as far I know, they do a lot of reading in school. Then he might understand the value of reading.

Answer 4

Wow. I can't begin to think of the activities I couldn't participate in if I didn't know how to read. Goodbye, computer. Goodbye all but the simplest of nintendo games. Even a lot of movies have words to be read in them.
I guess if you wanted to be a caveman and hunt for your own food (getting it at the store doesn't count--you can't read the directions or the name or the price of what you are getting) in a jungle where you don't have to deal with hardly anyone in society, you can get away with it. But then when you had kids and if you wanted them to remember you and what you taught (and lets not forget their kids and their kids), you would have to learn to read and write.
But if you want to live in our society, get a normal job, and not be treated like someone who is mentally handicapped your entire life, reading would definitely be a plus.

Answer 5

It exercises your brain.
Increases your vocabulary.
Introduces you to new ideas.
Takes your mind off of your problems and lets you escape into a little fantasy for little while.
Gives you something to think about.
Gives you something to discuss with others.

Answer 6

because "knowledge is power"?