Books and Social Media: Two Competing Communication Tools in the Battle of Knowledge

There should be no shame in lack of opportunity to expand one's literacy, and none when opportunity to read a book presents itself or can be taken.  Certainly, there's no shame in expressing results. You've heard that "communication is key"? The author of the following tweet gets it:

There's some truth in that tweet. Reading more books doesn't make one person better than another, no! Yet, benefits may befall oneself, thus society, through greater literacy & understanding. Don't you agree?

It's hard to say who the target was of this mysterious tweet, which seems to have been passively sent to the general reading audience. We're sharing it . . . with the simple intention of resistance! to attempts to diminish the desire (and right) to learn.

We learn about, possibly experience, new worlds and ideas through the further knowledge and refinement of greater literacy. 

Because geography and circumstances matter, we remember those communities and people without opportunity or choice of basic literacy. With that, we may perceive the tweet as a reaction to having been corrected in the midst of a heated argument . . .an inconsequential insult, or the beginning of an end-- the kind of reaction that can develop into a long-term, detrimental perception. So, we work to discourage bad information, like fake news for example. We encourage information sharing in good faith.

Benefits may befall oneself, thus society, through greater literacy & understanding

It's possible that the primary target of the publicized tweet was being anonymously called out in err despite their apparent knowledge via books, or of books. After all, there are levels of effort and comprehension literacy. The mere "reading" of a book does not guarantee a superior understanding of a situation. This is to point out, it's also not okay to diminish the less learned, or to assume any value. Again, there's no shame in lack of opportunity or need to expand one's literacy.

Either way, the tweet communication serves as opportunity to counter, and illustrate the importance of exchange in information-sharing and understanding. Modern technology and social media continue to add dimension to the sharing of experiences and information!

Our natural tendency is to communicate in an effort to avoid assumption or add to a conversation. Telling a story is one of the most effective methods of communication and relay of knowledge. Let's not underestimate the value of books, language and other communication methods, nor our interest in contribution to a discussion.

References & Related Links:

National Assessment of Adult Literacy (U.S.)

• encompasses 3 basic types of literacy

Media Literacy AwarenessHealth Literacy "
Digital Literacy & Digital Age Literacies
Financial Literacy

• Visa's "Practical Money Skills"
• According to Investopedia

Introducing: Oregon author Ursula Le Guin denounces corporate control of American literature - The Daily Astorian

Shouldn't the times in which we live encourage an organic environment for booksellers and authors? It seems that people are craving that feel again, of published works having been won through some extraordinary feat of quality merit . . . sensing lack thereof in a system that doesn't cater to their expectations.

More, below:

Oregon author Ursula Le Guin denounces corporate control of American literature - The Daily Astorian

I'll note that I couldn't enjoy a harsh attitude toward a system that does have open doors; self-publishing, especially digital self publishing, has driven more people to share their voice with outsiders. This is a positive in many regards including the capacity for the very young to more easily envision a path to success on such a level of creativity. I don't think Le Guin was harsh either.

Interactive Applications - Reading & Writing!

When we think of the term "interactive", we often presume application to the realm of computers and lingo associated with these devices . . . e.g., interactive gaming, learning, e-cards, etc. It's not so often that we associate traditional reading and writing with interactivity. Consequently, we do ourselves a disservice by essentially having forgotten the importance of the relation between such basic, traditional applications. 

Name an interactive activity we might do when, or as a result of, reading or writing.

Book Reporter Poll Shows: Why Write

A poll at BookReporter.com indicates that 27% of 131 people read in excess of ten books per month. That's some healthy reading! It'll be an interesting figure to check up on as voting progresses over time.

How many books do you read per month?  Share on Tumblr