I haven't updated this blog in a long time, due to numerous time consuming activities I have been occupied with. Well, two time consuming activities: school and football. I have no qualms with football (otherwise I wouldn't be playing it), but I have major beef with school.
When are we going to have to analyze literature in our adulthood?
The truth is, most schools demand that students take classes that are either entirely focused on or are in large part dedicated to the analysis of literature. I personally have nothing against the analysis of literature, in fact I think it a reasonably interesting pastime. The truth remains, however, that only a literary critic need have the skills they teach in these classes, and, last time I checked, literary critics did not make up more than 1% of the population. That such classes are compulsory disturbs me. In fact, I can't even understand the American preoccupation with reading. Every time I set foot in an elementary school classroom (which is not often), I am bombarded by propaganda about reading. Really, what is so fantastic about reading? Hell, reading is fun, but video games are fun too. The truth is, generations past looked upon reading as idle pleasure. Once again, I'm not dissing reading. I love reading. What I am dissing is society's groundless obsession with reading, and subsequently the imposing of reading on helpless generations that may or may not share my enjoyment of the activity.