Why Every Young Adult Should Become a Lifelong Reader

One result of Western Civilization is that information has become widely available. The proliferation of knowledge has many benefits. One can learn about any job or profession, become a doctor, minister, economist, philosopher, or plumber, and experience financial success and respect. One can also learn about different cultures, food, vacation spots, and living destinations relatively quickly and without expense. The Internet provides news on demand about practically any topic. Moreover, health and medical research are widely available.

However, while our knowledge economy has enabled young people to enjoy higher living standards, it has not resulted in an equal increase in happiness and meaning. Young adults report high levels of anxiety, fear, loneliness, and a lack of agency.

Part of the problem is that we have been trained to get knowledge from the Internet and social media. The Internet helps us learn but distracts us from serious thinking and substitutes time-sensitive information for time-honored wisdom. Although one can use the Internet to search for the best schools and restaurants, one cannot count on it to provide reliable answers to important questions like “What does it take to live well and become happy?

The knowledge necessary for happiness and career success is not as common today as it used to be. There is no better means of attaining it in today’s world than by reading.