In his book Pensées, Blaise Pascal wrote, “When we read too fast or too slowly, we understand nothing.”
Pascal wrote this quote in 1670, but given the attacks on our libraries, the quote is more meaningful now than ever.
Examples of the attacks on libraries include:
Tracking the Trump Administration’s Attacks on Libraries
Struggle for control of public libraries in full swing across the Deep South.
The attack on libraries is an attack on knowledge.
Warren County Board votes to defund 200-year-old Front Royal library
Libraries and books are vital to for information and understanding.
The problem with the way many people view the world.
Modern media, including radio, television, and the internet, simplify complex ideas for easy consumption. This packaging of curated data and statistics enables consumers to make up their own mind, about newsworthy events, with minimal difficulty or effort. Consumers aren’t making up their own mind though, they are storing a recording to playback when necessary. Even the links I posted above represent curated information.
Dangerous and harmful ideas result from accepting what the media communicates without seeking information and understanding on our own.
Think of some examples from our world today:
- Donald J. Trump. If the man’s mouth is moving, he’s lying. The war in Ukraine continues, the economy is in freefall, and we are on the verge of a constitutional crisis based on his actions and policies. Just one hundred days into his presidency, is life better for you?
- Tariffs. A college level economics course would point out the dangers of tariffs to the economy. Historical books would provide information and understanding as well.
- Illegals / Immigrants and U.S. citizens are in prison in another country. We are told the illegals / immigrants are hardened criminals, but the lack of due process means we may never know. We know that based on FBI crime reporting data there is not a significant correlation between the immigrant / illegal population and the total crime in all fifty states. What’s the real reason we are locking these people up? Racism? Fear? Lack of information and understanding?
- LGBTQ community. Why does our population have a problem with the LGBTQ community? You won’t catch “the gay” by associating with them. Your school isn’t trying to turn your kids trans. Stop worrying about what happens in other people’s sex life and have some empathy, understand they are people just like you, and educate yourself.
Challenge the information the media presents, make the world a better place by thinking for yourself.
Pick up a book and educate yourself on the topics you care about, seek information and understanding.
Terry Ebaugh 