Reading

"The man who does not read good books is no better than the man who can't."
- Mark Twain

Of all the things in the world, I think written words, the ability to read and write, contribute more to making knowledge available to all, than any other thing. Written words span time and space. We can contain in our heads the key to unlock meaning from them. No other tool is needed. They can survive when whole civilizations fall. If I had my choice between understanding spoken words, and understanding written words, I would not hesitate to choose written words. Knowing how to read gives us access to more knowledge than any other form of communication can. When I think back on my life, I realize that learning how to read was the absolute most pivitol thing that has happened to me. It, and everything that has happened, and that I have been able to do as a result - everything that I have learned - have made me who I am.