“I write to discover what I know.”
–Flannery O’Connor
You have been measured on the scales and found wanting. – Daniel 5:27
I read an article this morning that talked about a growing trend where people do not read books… yet they try very hard to appear as if they are the kind of person who does.
The article (“Nobody Reads” by Oliver Traldi) referenced a designer who wanted to “project familiarity infused with a sort of intellectual gravitas.” He ordered a set of vintage books but replaced pages with styrofoam to “avoid overloading the shelves.”
This kind of deception is not that surprising in a culture where many of the loudest voices seem to see education as something to tear down. They rant against things they know nothing about, hate people based on made-up stories, claim a religion they do not practice, persuade people with false narratives and work ceaselessly to undermine truth.
It’s a climate where pretending to read books makes perfect sense.
Performative Reading on social media!
Rebekah recently told me about a new social-media trend known as “performative reading,” where people sit in public places pretending to read important books. Then they photograph the charade and publish it.
How ludicrous. I have no issue with anybody who chooses to be a Philistine and distain interest in literature or the arts, but for goodness sake be honest about it! But of course honesty is not exactly de rigueur in today’s social/political climate.
de ri·gueur – adjective: required by etiquette or current fashion.
Like the impressive-looking shelf where books are filled with styrofoam, people present a “made for media” facade. When they are measured, however, just like the styrofoam books, they are found wanting. It is not hard to discover that they are essentially empty.
If there ever was a time in these United States where actual reading should be valued and practiced, this would be it – DEREK