1 in 4 didn't read even one book last year, shouldn't we be concerned?

Question

Why is this in the politics section? Because an educated populace is the cornerstone of a democracy, and in a democracy well rounded and rational individuals are needed to make decisions about who will lead us. And while it's possible to not read and be a genius, or to read a ton and be a moron, in general more reading equals better education (whether formal or informal). So if more and more people can't be bothered to read anything more than a text message that have ideas no more complex than "LIBS=BAD4_08" or "CONS_SUCK", doesn't this bode ill for the country?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070821/ap_on_re_us/reading_habits_ap_poll;_ylt=AlLPMyIX8Y5LGoKZ074ehJ6s0NUE

Well NeoBilly, I'm sure they are reading lots of other things. Hey, I love the economist, it is a great magazine that goes incredibly in depth, but it still doesn't beat a book on economics.

Suspended, I'm not saying everyone has to read war an peace, but I would argue that a populace that isn't intellectually curious, or just doesn't have the time to read, IS hurting others. Not individually of course, but collectively.

Bruce, you are right that it takes all kinds, and I would never suggest forcing someone outside of gradeschool to read, but the overall trend worries me.

Answer 1

I find it disturbing that so few people read books. They are certainly able to find something worth reading, there are some wonderful new books on the shelves now. Well worth taking the time to invest in making time to read. How can one be considered to be well rounded if one does not read? Newspapers & magazines are fine for a quick read but they never give you the insight needed to make informed choices in life.

Answer 2

As a voracious reader, I don't understand it---but it doesn't really concern me either.
My husband is most assuredly literate, and I swear to you that I have never known him to read a book. ( He does read the newspaper daily, as well as automotive and gardening magazines, and occasionally even directions;) ). Reading just isn't his thing. He's a practical sort, and while I enjoy getting lost in a book, he'd rather be working on a car or running the tiller.
Now, I would be concerned if he didn't read because he had problems doing so. But as I said, this isn't the case; there are other things he prefers to do, and there are only so many hours in a day.
I, however, managed to plow through enough books (probably thirty or so) in the past year to make up for the both of us and probably a few others as well. But we readers must be open-minded enough to realize that not everyone shares our passion.

Answer 3

I have mixed feelings about this statistic. For one thing reading takes time. What I would like to know is if people had no time to read books, what were they doing with their time? If they were working at hobbies, doing volunteer work, involved with organized sports or other useful, fulfilling things I have no problem with it. If they spent their time watching TV, playing video games or out partying, then I do have a problem.

I love to read but have little spare time to devote to it. I only read half a dozen paperback books and one or two best sellers this year. My grandchildren, job and volunteer work take up most of my time. Come winter, things should calm down and I will have more time to catch up on my reading sitting in my big leather club chair that is bought just for this purpose. I is up in the master bedroom away from the interruptions and noise.

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Answer 4

Yes it is. During my Master's Degree program, one of my professors mentioned that (I'm paraphrasing) 90% of the books purchased in America are read by only 10% of the population. That is truly sad since everyone has a library or access to Barnes and Noble and other book stores. I am currently reading a biography on Winston Churchill. It is amazing to read the parralels between then and now. The way that people viewed Churchill in England during the 1930's is similar to the way people view President Bush now. They accused him of "war mongering" and "fear mongering." People were appeasers to Hitler and did not see him as a major threat, the way the UN and people across Europe and the United States have become appeasers to terrorism and countries like Iran. For example, John Edwards calling The War on Terror "just a bumper sticker." Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it. The best way to understand the present and the future is to understand the past.

Answer 5

I did my part by reading 1/4 of a book.

I tired to just read the vowels but it got too confusing so I just read the top half of the left page. It made the story go faster but I might have missed some stuff.

Gee, why can't i get a high paying job?

Answer 6

Yes, absolutely. Our president that everyone loves to denounce as a moron is more well read than 99.9999999% of all people including the folks who post here lambasting him daily and blaming all their problems on him. He read 130 books last year alone! While the avg American can hardly pick up a seuss book. Most wouldnt even recognize a newspaper. This is exactly why many are blatantly ignorant of issues. They devise their own feeble solutions to these complex problems but dont even demonstrate a rudimentary understanding of them. Mostly they are liberals.

Answer 7

I agree. However the fact of the matter is America has always had an uneducated, ignorant voting population. Only about 10% of Americans are ideolouges the rest vote how their families vote, or through force of habit for the same party.

Answer 8

I think 75% is an overestimate for readers. I would put it more at the 50% mark. Lots of folks I know NEVER read a book.

Answer 9

Yes, and by reading some of the questions/answers here it may actually be more like 2 in 4!

Answer 10

I hope my answer sheds some light on the subject of poles and surveys and all the fuzzy math which are so often sited as "proof" of some notion or conclusion.

I read five books last year, therefore - on average - Americans read more than one book each last year.