Rant '10
I haven't posted anything ressembling a bitch session in quite some time. In the grand scheme of the world's ills, this may seem minor, but perhaps it is indicative of larger problems?
We were visiting the downtown library last Saturday. As we ascended the four floors, I glanced at the banks of computer monitors. What sites were people surfing? Not PubMed or some news source. No; YouTube, Facebook, and scores of video games. I turned my head and was greeted by some rap star extending his middle finger. Others were watching dance routines. And so on. The crusty near-middle-ager in me was appalled. My tax dollars are going to fund peoples' entertainment? At a place where knowledge and learning is supposed to be fostered? It seems wrong. Additionally, I saw only a handful of people reading books. Reading at all. The library was packed. It seemed wrong.
You're probably thinking I'm a fuddy duddy. There is a part of me that feels that way, too. Thinking that it really isn't a big deal. Plus, at least many of these people are staying out of trouble. You can compose many an argument. But I'm getting alarmed at how lazy we've become. We seemed to want to fill every spare moment with amusement, even at a library. When I went to the library as a younger person, I researched, read. Of course, in my childhood the only computers at the libary were loaded with educational programs, some were games, but I don't recall any of them requiring my trajectory skills with a sawed-off.
I was also required, for every hour of television, to read for 2 hours. And I watched a lot of TV back then. I had accountability, in the form of 2 stern but caring parents. Many of the individuals I saw at the library last weekend may not have even that.
My more extreme side thinks that libraries should block the above websites. I wouldn't advocate blocking e-mail. Many workplaces do this, like it or not. I'm guilty of goofing off myself, but such measures are admitedly effective. Sometimes you have to throw down the gauntlet, establish some parameters. Engage peoples' interest in more than just pithy status updates and music videos. I chafe a bit when I observe four stories of blank-eyed souls just being amused.
We were visiting the downtown library last Saturday. As we ascended the four floors, I glanced at the banks of computer monitors. What sites were people surfing? Not PubMed or some news source. No; YouTube, Facebook, and scores of video games. I turned my head and was greeted by some rap star extending his middle finger. Others were watching dance routines. And so on. The crusty near-middle-ager in me was appalled. My tax dollars are going to fund peoples' entertainment? At a place where knowledge and learning is supposed to be fostered? It seems wrong. Additionally, I saw only a handful of people reading books. Reading at all. The library was packed. It seemed wrong.
You're probably thinking I'm a fuddy duddy. There is a part of me that feels that way, too. Thinking that it really isn't a big deal. Plus, at least many of these people are staying out of trouble. You can compose many an argument. But I'm getting alarmed at how lazy we've become. We seemed to want to fill every spare moment with amusement, even at a library. When I went to the library as a younger person, I researched, read. Of course, in my childhood the only computers at the libary were loaded with educational programs, some were games, but I don't recall any of them requiring my trajectory skills with a sawed-off.
I was also required, for every hour of television, to read for 2 hours. And I watched a lot of TV back then. I had accountability, in the form of 2 stern but caring parents. Many of the individuals I saw at the library last weekend may not have even that.
My more extreme side thinks that libraries should block the above websites. I wouldn't advocate blocking e-mail. Many workplaces do this, like it or not. I'm guilty of goofing off myself, but such measures are admitedly effective. Sometimes you have to throw down the gauntlet, establish some parameters. Engage peoples' interest in more than just pithy status updates and music videos. I chafe a bit when I observe four stories of blank-eyed souls just being amused.
Comments
liberty of the spirit!