Another book to add to my growing "need to read" pile. Thanks for making me aware of it.
I remember reading somewhere that "hyperinformed" people are more susceptible to propaganda, conspiracies, and disinformation because they consume so much media. This book sounds like an antidote to that.
"I’m reminded of C.S. Lewis’s point about the value of old books: not that they’re necessarily right—they’re not—but that they offer a perspective removed from our own."
Exactly! The older the book is, the more it will be removed, and the more the perspective will differ- but certain themes and topics remain universal and for all time.
I can’t wait to read it. Our catechist explained curiositas and studiositas to us (isn’t that Aquinas? Or Pieper?) I knew instantly that I struggled with curiositas. But I’ve also seen how a return to reading the old books has deepened my joy and empathy and widened my perspective and grace. I sent this to my 21 yr old just now knowing this is a book he will connect with. Thanks for all your work here, Joel. I’ve been following you for a few years now, and your work has enriched my life.
"Books provide a barricade where we can come back to ourselves ..."
I'm deeply sympathetic to this case for books and reading. For the sake of discussion, though, how precisely do books lend themselves to sustaining their readers' integrity? Because as you point out in your *Reason* book review, for every *War and Peace* there exists a *Mein Kampf*. Or perhaps it's better to ask whether for every person who opens heart and mind to a book, there's another person whose reading is perverse, whose reasoning is motivated, who foists a narrow agenda on the expansive reach of the text (cf. here reader-response theory). It strikes me that the real danger of this era is not so much that people don't read; it's what people choose to do with whatever they do read.
This has started a train of reflection on how my use of internet services has been shaped by the fact I was already reading old books before I started using the internet and my first heavy use of the internet was simply to read more old books. I did have to chuckle at Bonhoeffer's thoughts on the radio and newspaper, since I credit the fact I grew up hearing news on the radio for why I do not find the clickbait gossip headline or the unending TV newscast interesting.
I ordered this book when I saw you post about it earlier this week, my husband and I have been having conversations about this topic and I can’t wait to read it. Your review further confirms that I definitely want to read this! Thank you for highlighting this!
Another book to add to my growing "need to read" pile. Thanks for making me aware of it.
I remember reading somewhere that "hyperinformed" people are more susceptible to propaganda, conspiracies, and disinformation because they consume so much media. This book sounds like an antidote to that.
"I’m reminded of C.S. Lewis’s point about the value of old books: not that they’re necessarily right—they’re not—but that they offer a perspective removed from our own."
Exactly! The older the book is, the more it will be removed, and the more the perspective will differ- but certain themes and topics remain universal and for all time.
I can’t wait to read it. Our catechist explained curiositas and studiositas to us (isn’t that Aquinas? Or Pieper?) I knew instantly that I struggled with curiositas. But I’ve also seen how a return to reading the old books has deepened my joy and empathy and widened my perspective and grace. I sent this to my 21 yr old just now knowing this is a book he will connect with. Thanks for all your work here, Joel. I’ve been following you for a few years now, and your work has enriched my life.
"Books provide a barricade where we can come back to ourselves ..."
I'm deeply sympathetic to this case for books and reading. For the sake of discussion, though, how precisely do books lend themselves to sustaining their readers' integrity? Because as you point out in your *Reason* book review, for every *War and Peace* there exists a *Mein Kampf*. Or perhaps it's better to ask whether for every person who opens heart and mind to a book, there's another person whose reading is perverse, whose reasoning is motivated, who foists a narrow agenda on the expansive reach of the text (cf. here reader-response theory). It strikes me that the real danger of this era is not so much that people don't read; it's what people choose to do with whatever they do read.
Nice review with a great job of pulling back when the discourse could easily trigger the afflicted's sentiments.
This has started a train of reflection on how my use of internet services has been shaped by the fact I was already reading old books before I started using the internet and my first heavy use of the internet was simply to read more old books. I did have to chuckle at Bonhoeffer's thoughts on the radio and newspaper, since I credit the fact I grew up hearing news on the radio for why I do not find the clickbait gossip headline or the unending TV newscast interesting.
I ordered this book when I saw you post about it earlier this week, my husband and I have been having conversations about this topic and I can’t wait to read it. Your review further confirms that I definitely want to read this! Thank you for highlighting this!