What is the most important aspect that people tend to overlook when reading a book?
Reading must strike a balance with thinking.
The progression of time brings about many changes. Once, people delighted in paintings on canvas; now, many revel in the world of photography. Once, people exchanged information through books and writings, but now other media serve this purpose too: television, podcasts, and even audiobooks. Once, people relied on their brains for thinking, but in the near future, they might heavily depend on computers with artificial intelligence.
So, is reading still an effective medium for broadening one’s perspective?
Perhaps it depends on the type of information needed. Sometimes, discussions might be more effective for exchanging information. However, generally speaking, I still believe reading is effective. But this is only if one hones their reading skills well. Reading requires skill, and sharpening that skill is essential. To read efficiently, one must elevate their reading ability.
Even if one completes a book over many days, there’s no need to boast if they immediately forget its content. If one feels they’ve concluded nothing, it’s akin to merely collecting poetic words.
Become an active reader.
In the past, I said that it was important to read as many books as possible. This was because everyone who loves the world of literature and writing is born from a passion for reading. Ask anyone…
At first, those who “reject” the goal or busyness of “writing” will gradually find themselves unable to resist writing something, even if it’s just trivial diary notes.
However, even from such “trivial” things, one can grow if they persist consistently.
Eventually, they will write something important for others. Generally, the procedure and process do not change much.
But I’m not sure if my opinion is still valid. Sometimes I consider the opposite.
To some extent, my perspective has changed. Many things that were once priorities are now commonplace. Some things are no longer important.
Now, what do we seek from reading books or short posts on social media?
There used to be a lot of motivation for the simple task of reading a book. For instance, looking for role models or learning storytelling techniques. Each person is born with their own unique way of writing. Reading was a means to find ideas and discover new thoughts.
And it carried the meaning of a long struggle, sacrificing time to read books. To broaden perspectives that were previously unimaginable.
What does reading mean when you cannot find new ideas or are not moved by the storytelling techniques present? In the end, it can sometimes feel like a waste of time.
Digging into new ideas doesn’t always have to be done through writing. Exchanging thoughts through discussion is also a way to broaden one’s perspective. There are other ways besides reading.
It’s interesting to have knowledge and ideas before reading. And then, you read as much as possible to confirm them.
He tests the validity and accuracy of his conclusions through reading. “Is there anyone who thinks the same as me?” He reads to find someone who shares his opinions. To find someone who thought the same way in the past. And by having his own ideas, he does not feel alone.
“A said this, B wrote that, C’s book has such an idea…” And there are many “actuallys.”
There is nothing new under the sun.
Relying too much on reading may lead to untrained thinking and an inability to generate ideas. If you depend too much on reading, you might neglect thinking, acting only when there’s a precedent.
Why not try a new reading style? Use reading as an activity to verify the validity of someone’s opinion. Have ideas before reading and verify their relevance and correctness by reading.
This way, instead of just waiting for solutions from books, one can train their thinking. Even if you initially doubt a conclusion, by finding comparisons and feedback, you can eventually be convinced.
Are humans always so lucky?
Mortimer J. Adler’s words are intriguing…
“Knowledge is no longer the initial condition for understanding. You do not need to know everything. Excessive facts can hinder understanding just as much as too few facts can. Modern man is overwhelmed by facts, and understanding collapses.” (How to Read a Book)
What is the important message? Stop devouring new information indiscriminately and select as needed. Furthermore, don’t swallow facts whole; instead, train your thinking and put it into action.
There is sometimes a general attitude of not critically accepting new information. People may believe new information from a book uncritically, swallowing everything whole. As if hypnotized, they believe that everything an author says must be correct. Readers believe this because they think the writing has gone through a long period of investigation.
Of course, this is not a good thing. Even with highly reliable books, readers should always be skeptical. Is this really correct? One must seek supporting facts and verify them before reaching a conclusion.
Blindly believing information that sounds appealing without deep scrutiny is dangerous. If the information is incorrect, uncritical readers might end up with a flawed understanding.
What is more dangerous than falling into a trance? It might be reading a “misleading book.” Readers may not notice this pattern and it may affect their subconscious.
A bad reading habit is reading without thinking—swallowing all information whole and believing it to be entirely correct, even if it comes from Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, or Socrates.
Another bad habit is immediately and completely rejecting ideas without reconsideration, even if they come from Hermann Göring or Heinrich Himmler.
Still, people need to read. Without reading, their ideas and writings lack strength. Ideas and writings not supported by reading are fragile. They might be seen as fiction, fantasies, or even meaningless. They might appear as insignificant, nameless entities in society.
Another dark side is that society only listens to the opinions of reputable individuals. However, we should not say, “they are jealous of them.” It is the whip that makes us run faster. Don’t just wait—take action.
Therefore, training is necessary to generate and discover ideas. Balance reading with thinking, and avoid spending time just reading without thinking.
Ultimately, having abundant references but poor ideas, merely copying others’ writings, is meaningless.
That’s all…
June 16 and 24, 2020
Written by As. Laksana
“The Theory of Slow Reading”
“Do not forget to think”
Thank you
