reading

is the most dangerous thing of all, the one thing which had driven whole regiments of young people to insanity.

The father takes his son aside for a man-to-man talk -the sex talk -and he says, :: 'The most dangerous thing of all, and something he wanted to warn me about above all else, the one thing that had consigned whole regiments of unfortunate young people To the twilight world of insanity, is reading books. This objectionable practice had increased among the younger generation, and Dad was more pleased ... than he could say to note that I had not yet displayed any such tendencies. Lunatic asylums were overflowing with folk who'd been reading too much. 0nce upon a time they'd been just like you and me, physically strong, straightforward, cheerful, and well balanced. Then they'd started reading. Most often by chance. A bout of flu perhaps, with a few days in bed. An attractive DOCK cover mat Had aroused some curiosity. And suddenly the bad habit had taken hold. The first book had led to then another, and another, all links in a chain that led straight down into the eternal night of mental illness. It was impossible to stop. It was worse than drugs. It might just be possible, if you were very careful, to look at the occasional book that could teach you something, such as encyclopedias or repair manuals. The most dangerous kind of book was fiction... that's where all the brooding was sparked and encouraged. Damnit all! Addictive and risky products like that should only be available in state regulated monopoly stores, rationed and sold only to those with a license, and mature in age. We wrapped ourselves in towels and made our way up. Dad was swaying a bit, and dad stubbed his big toe, but he didn't seem to feel the pain. As for me, I was no longer a boy'

Michael NiemiThinkers

Michael Niemi