The Power of Words

“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” ~ Mark Twain

One of the things that irks me is folks who say, "I don't have time to read." From the time the Sumerians first took rock to rock and etched out a picture of a damn cow, the skills of reading and writing have been the power behind the evolution of man. The ability to record the written word and have it understood by someone else created an entirely new communication forum. It allowed for records to be kept, history to be documented, directions to be given, news to be shared - over any distance.

Over the millennia those crude scratchings and drawings evolved into elegant script, defining not only the development of language around the world but reinforcing the existence of a class system as well. Reading is powerful, it transfers knowledge, it promotes thought and it can contradict the status quo. The seat of power for any of the major religions is taken from their scriptures - which is, gasp, reading. For centuries, across different cultures, the ability to read and write was considered a gift that could only be afforded by the upper classes. And unlike today's children those who were educated could speak, read and write in multiple languages. Why? Because to communicate is powerful.

Reading inspires ideas which bring about change. Every "Revolution," from the Industrial to the American, is rooted in words which give people new ideas and sparked the imagination and ideals of otherwise ordinary men and women.

As we move into the modern age, technology took us away from the written word. First radio, movies and finally television pulled our heads out of the books and showered us with new and wonderful sensory input. The downside to this appears to be a generation or two lost to the Siren's call of visual and auditory input over the power and beauty of the written world. Everything is flashy, loud on some level and above all, supposed to be fast fast fast.

What is interesting though is that on some levels, it's come full circle. The internet is a vast expanse of possibility, the ability to connect the world has changed our global community on numerous levels. However the evolution of this medium, and its use in all its different forms, seems to have brought us back to a basic truth. One that was captured (ironically enough) by writing two thousand years ago:

"In the beginning was the Word ..."

Yes yes, I realize what "word" means here - but why choose that particular term to define it? Because words have structure and can be assigned meaning, and used to promote love or destruction. Words are everywhere for us now.

Texting is often faster and more preferred than calling. Why ... that's reading isn't it? Millions of emails fly around the world as method of daily communication. Well look at that, you have to read those too. Even the fact that you've gotten this far in a pointless, rambling blog rant indicates that you in fact do have not only the ability, but the time to read.

Don't look at reading like a chore or task, something that you struggle though only when you must. Turning that page or clicking that screen and absorbing the content behind those small characters is an immense power, one that can change your life. It's ok to read on a screen, while I am in fact a lover of actual books the reality is that this is the 21st century and the power of the written word remains behind whether you read it on a screen or a page.

If you've read this, then consider this task - go up to your little search bar and pick just one topic. One historical personage you dig or event that fascinates you - something that inspires you privately and isn't related to necessary school or work task. I recommend quotes by Mark Twain, his wit is unbelievable. Take just a sliver of time to read something new that interests you, makes you laugh or makes you angry. No matter what you think of it, you will walk away with those characters doing their magic in your brain, creating a fraction of new knowledge and experience that will add to the whole of who you are.

And please stop telling me that you don't have time to read.