People don’t read anymore. I’m not talking books or newspapers, magazines or periodicals. I’m talking emails, texts, and social posts. They may see the words, yet they fail to comprehend.
It seems some are pruned to pick out key words – then string together their perceived intent of a message. Or, they respond impulsively, seeing one word then jumping to conclusions.
It’s a pet peeve, and a big one, and I’m far from perfect. There’s been a time or two – maybe many more – when I’ve read too quickly, responded even faster, and missed the point. Despite my best efforts, I’d failed.
But it’s occasional, not habitual, and it seems that ‘not reading’ is the new norm.
I experience it at work as well as with personal and social correspondence. I see it even more as I peruse social media, people arguing back and forth because one or the other didn’t comprehend – or consciously read – the message put forth.
We’ve become a society of humans that don’t read to comprehend.
We rush through our emails and countless messages, then respond to check off a box – done. I responded.
We are harried and believe multi-tasking is a requirement, not an option.
We want to overachieve and in turn, we wind up not doing anything really well – even though we’re doing it all.
May we slow down and even dare to stop, read, then respond. Nearly 100% of the issues in life arise from not reading, not listening, or lacking the courage to speak-up and communicate.
