This also became quite an irritation for me when, after four years having read Philip Pullman’s books, the movie came out, and of course, gained the mass audience’s attention to his books. Previously, I’ve recommended some of my friends into reading his books, not because I really like the story, it’s because they were interesting stories worth discussing about. Sigh. They had left me a fool talking to myself (in the form of a diary) to bring about crucial subjects dealing heavy stuff such as religion and human existence. They’re just not interested because, perhaps, it would only matter to read when pop culture validates them. I bet they just started paying mind to my suggestion of reading them when Hollywood brought this up. I’m not even interested in the Twilight series, but I’d sensed some of those who already read so much books their whole life get irritated when newfound fans (after the movie’s being made) get into crazy fanatic mode- and it just gets them dumbdowned.

Well, in a way, I’m half glad that I was the only one who had read those books, because in a way, they’ve made my childhood unique and quite special. Damn, after thinking those years back in elementary school, it’s a crying shame that deep and imaginative reading that would have fuelled them so much creativity and uniqueness into their individual lives had been wasted for Britney Spears and that ilk that is pop culture that made most of the young people thinking the same way (and it’s not even the good way). Guess why I was such a loner.

Whenever I go to the library, there would be heaps of people gathering around in groups on the tables not because they’d be reading, but because they’re for a great deal of gossip. I’m sorry to say but they were such a bored lot, pretending they’re all grown up and thought that reading is quite childish or for a patronising term, nerdy. Influenced by the trash of American pop culture, they’d given me the impression that it’s stupid to even bring up something that fits in the context of learning or knowledge acquisition. Believe it or not, they had been in this stupid groupthink mindset in their formative years, not having thought outside their boxes. I had experienced a great deal of social anxiety and probably a bit of existential crisis on why I couldn’t communicate with the lot of them- and why I feel like an alien. It wasn’t until I moved overseas that I have realised that there was absolutely nothing wrong with me, and that I’m in complete control of my own normal self.
Conformity in the Philippines reallys sucks. Group validation is what’s leaving me the impression of the many filipino youths not willing to read a lot of books. I somehow blame the education system there for not having updated their methods in providing useful knowledge for these children, and thus, prompting them to read more books.

Plus! We "Filipinos" live in a third world country where poverty is everywhere, even in our deepest fears. I mean, do you expect a squatter to read books rather than hustling or doing something to earn money and to keep his or her family alive? Think about it. Maybe this person wrote this (just maybe!) so that we'd buy books that would benefit him. I don't know. It's just my opinion. This is a blog site, not a commercial or advertising site. Right? So yeah, let's think things over.

Maybe, what the writer was refering to were the teens. Because if we say Filipinos, it depends on the age bracket. This article might be applicable to teens since they are the most affected by the booming of the technology. I, myself is also a student and a writer (in my own way), but I sometimes lost my fondness of reading a book. It also depends on the book one is reading. Each one has his own preference based on his background or such.

Maybe, the stereotyping idea is just one of the flaws of this article but believe me, he will be most happy in improving his works.. The important thing is we, as bookworms should not stop reading. For those who are not, give yourself a break. Try to explore and give color to your lives.:)