Did I Swallow A Dictionary?

I like to think that I am not an arrogant man, nor am I all that judgemental, at least not more than normal. However, what I am also not is someone who is satisfied with the banal, with the mundane. The reason I say this is because recently, I have noticed that people look at you oddly if you read a book on a subject other than a so-called celebrities life story. They mock you for having swallowed a dictionary if you use words of more than 3 syllables.

See, I think, or at least I like to think, that I am an intelligent chap. I speak 3 different languages. I am quite well read and I have an appreciation of the arts. Why then, should I have to bring myself down to the lowest common denominator in order to get acceptance?

You know what? This links into a larger problem for society. Too often now our children are taught that the desirable is the vacuous, the reality show contestant. Instead of expanding their horizons, we constrict them. Our schools and streets are filling with young people that think cracking open a book is worse than cracking open their Xbox. If one is bright enough or has a talent, then it’s a crime if that talent is not explored to it’s fullest potential.