“Keep reading books, but remember that a book’s only a book, and you should learn to think for yourself.”—Maxim Gorky
I came across the above quote this morning. The fact that I would be in conflict with many of Maxim Gorky’s social and political views adds strength to the value of the quote. Rarely, in our present society, are we encouraged to read views that conflict with our narrative—our world view. Increasingly, education and society is being sanitized in an effort to not offend and to drive political agendas. Our divide in society is widened by our dismissal of anything that might challenge our narrative. Social media leads us to scroll past anything we might not agree with in favor of that with fits our opinion. We are not challenged to be educated. Instead, “education” is a means to a document that is of rather little value other than to say we “checked the boxes.”
We are the most fortunate in history, because we have history at our fingertips. For the same reason, we are the least fortunate. We have access to much information, but dismiss the opportunity to use it wisely.
I heard a comment recently about how search engines increase our information bias. The algorithms favor our personal narrative. They continue to feed us the informational junk food that we preferably consume. Sadly, the information that might broaden, challenge, or possibly strengthen our view is lost.
I firmly believe in a liberal education. The term “liberal” has lost its meaning and is often associated with the political “left.” A liberal education, however, is not political, nor is it one-sided. “Liberal” refers to a willingness to respect or accept behavior or opinions that are different from one’s own. I means to be open to new ideas.
A liberal education, according to the Association of American Colleges & Universities, refers to “an approach to undergraduate education that promotes integration of learning across the curriculum and cocurriculum, and between academic and experiential learning, in order to develop specific learning outcomes that are essential for work, citizenship, and life.” It is unfortunate that our educational systems have drifted from these ideals. We often give lip services to the ideal of a liberal education; however, it is too often that the instructor seeks only to impart information—information that suits their narrative or the narrative that fits a broader political agenda. Education must, instead, promote individual thought, creativity, and ingenuity. Education must promote access to information and provide the necessary tools to access and interpret this information.
Education must inspire new ideas. Man was created to evolve—Spiritually, Physically, Intellectually, and Socially. We are meant to grow individually and collectively. Books are a path to inspiration and growth. Freedom to think, to challenge, and to process the experiences of others is essential.
Books are, indeed, just books unless we allow open access to them (and take advantage of our access) and allow ourselves and others to read that which creates conflict with our established ideas and opinions. Books in the hands of the uneducated are just books. In the hands of the truly educated—those who have learned to think for themselves—are both tools and weapons.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
willing to respect or accept behavior or opinions different from one’s own; open to new ideas.
Carpe momento!!