I had to take my car in for a minor repair a few months ago. They informed me in advance that it would take about an hour, so to pass the time I brought a book to read. Upon entering the upscale waiting room, I noticed a big-screen TV in the corner surrounded by comfortable looking chairs. There was some bizarre game show on the tube with two portly women and a studious looking gentleman screaming and jumping up and down, while balloons and confetti rained from above. Although there appeared to be an ample supply of magazines, newspapers and even a dozen or so books scattered around the lounge, the other four people patiently waiting for their autos were watching TV. I quietly sat in the back and began reading my book. Then, a flash of mental clarity struck me like a Mike Tyson body blow; I realized that almost every establishment I had visited recently with a waiting room or long waits in line provided a television for their patrons. My eye doctor’s office makes available a big-screen; Fantastic Sam’s where I get my hair cut has a small TV; and the place where I get my car washed has a boob-tube inside and outside. Also the Bank of America in Redondo has a tiny monitor situated just above where the teller line forms broadcasting bank propaganda–hoping to convince you to sink deeper in debt by taking out a huge loan so you can buy all the unnecessary treasures you’ve been deprived of for years. What’s next, a small video screen in every pew at church? Good grief!
Not that many years ago when munching on a jelly donut at Winchell’s or sipping a hot cup of Joe (for those under the age of fifty Joe means coffee) at the local greasy spoon, most loungers had their nose in a newspaper, magazine or steamy paperback romance novel. Not anymore you old fogies, because it’s the glorious age of the machine! Who needs to read a book when everything worthy of reading can be expressed in 140 characters or less in a mindless tweet? Will somebody please wake me up from this apocalyptic nightmare? So, as of today, I am officially declaring that the pastime of reading is DEAD! Okay, maybe not dead but definitely on life support, with a priest on his way to administer the last rites (not a text) to an old, archaic Mr. Reader.
If you believe I’m exaggerating ask the next three people you speak with to name the title of the last book they read. That should convince you. I know, I know, I’m beating my head against the wall with this stuff and it’s only going to get worse. If you agree with me let’s all decide to buy our kids and grandkids only books this Christmas. No i-phones, i-pads, video games or electronics of any kind. Get them a set of Winston Churchill’s fascinating six-book series on WWII or Harper Lee’s classic, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” That should make for some provocative spicy Christmas morning banter.
I’m sure my parents had similar thoughts about me the first time I enthusiastically played a Bob Dylan song for them in the early ‘60’s. The difference with the present-day gadget addicts is their apparent absence of intellectual curiosity combined with the utter lack of knowledge of American and world history. Many also display poor grammar, bad spelling and abysmal interpersonal skills. These flaws are rife in the under-25 crowd. Too much of their time is wasted on goofball tweeting, mindless texting and shameless posting of salacious selfies on their Facebook pages. I will leave you with a few of my favorite quotes on reading.
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ~Charles W. Eliot
“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.” ~Mark Twain
“I must say I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go into the library and read a good book.” ~Groucho Marx
Pete Whalon, author of “The Siagon Zoo” has called Southern California home since age five.