Comments on: when does intellectual curiosity stop?

By: ClubPenguinCheats

ClubPenguinCheats — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 06:42:02 +0000

I don't get how reading a book is immature, although I do think that reading a newspaper is also fun, and of course blogs are great. Don't these people crave a longer, more detailed piece of writing to get their teeth into?

By: Memes Du Semaine « Meme Menagerie

Memes Du Semaine « Meme Menagerie — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:41:58 +0000

[...] architectural-communicative realm, another question that’s been bugging me lately is “can you teach intellectual curiosity?” i believe you can, not because curiosity is teachable per se, but because it’s [...]

By: Sean

Sean — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:44:09 +0000

College can make people think different thoughts, but only the curious will use those thoughts to think other thoughts. If someones does not read another book in their adult life, did their curiosity peak during college, or did it taper off long ago? When do some kids become clearly less curious than others? I don't know, but the difference in toddlers (and similarity to their parents) can be striking. If curiosity begins at home, then our current deficit is unsettling.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:47:31 +0000

My parents read to me and I grew to love reading and learning. I have began reading on my own as soon as I could and spent many a late night burning the midnight oil because I couldn't put down a book. “Just one more chapter” is a lie I have been telling myself for years!

Like some of the commenters in this thread, I don't think there is any one reason for these statistics, but a combination of many factors. Many school systems do primarily teach standardized tests, which destroys the creativity and passion for learning. And many people prefer to be fed by the TV for hours every night.

But I also think that at some point in many people's lives, books became associated with the dread of an upcoming assignment or a test someone wasn't prepared for and people forgot about the magic that books contain.

Personally, I would rather read a book than watch the latest Reality TV show or sitcom. A well-written book makes you part of the story, whereas TV requires little thought and less emotion.

By: Susy

Susy — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:05:21 +0000

Scary but true. I read several books a week (thanks to reading speed & comprehension tests while growing up) and I can't imagine not doing it. I'm in the library picking up stacks & stacks every week.

I think people don't read because of TV, no time. And I think you have to read so many bad books in college (I sure did) that is sort of ruins reading. I didn't read a book for a couple years after college.

I'm not sure if reading to your children helps or not, can't hurt. My parents didn't read to me and I have been a voracious reader since I learned to read. DH's mom read books to him and he didn't used to like to read (he's getting into it now that we cancelled our cable and don't have TV).

By: Faye

Faye — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:58:38 +0000

Kudos!

At the age of 22, and having finished a graduate degree and other certification classes, I still long to read and satisfy my intellectual curiosity. I always ask, "What about if this happens?" "What about if I do this?" So I turn to the library and read about topic.

I've started reading since I was 2, and I have never looked back. Reading is a great passion of mine, and it is evidenced by the hundreds of books that I own and have read. Funny, how I can't remember a scene of a movie, but I can remember a chapter of a book. I've given up television during college to focus on my major ingredient to increase intellectual capabilities: reading.

It's good that you started your children early in loving books. Although my parents never read a book to me or with me, they have provided me with books all throughout my life.

I am saddened by the facts that you have given. People should read.

By: Arcadia

Arcadia — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:14:05 +0000

I spend most days seeing the delight on young children's faces as they are either read to by an adult, or as they start to learn to read simple words themselves. Unfortunately, that passion for reading does fade in some people, and that, in my opinion, is a terrible shame.

By: Kristin

Kristin — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 01:28:41 +0000

I think there is a solution… It's called reading to your kids. Habits that are developed early on have much more endurance.

By: Big Winner

Big Winner — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:15:40 +0000

On one hand, a lack of intellectual curiousity is probably bad for a society since it means less innovation. On the other hand, it means less competition and more prosperity for those who are lifelong learners.

By: bripblap

bripblap — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:25:33 +0000

Vin, Curmudgeon: Good ones. Vin, that's EXACTLY what I was getting at – it's startling that people think reading a book is an effort or just weird…. I can't even get my brain around it, to be honest. And the kind of parent who would get that bumper sticker – well, I hope they are just a crazy cut-up comedian and not a psycho ass, but I suspect the worst…