I was reading an article today that shared some rather startling statistics about literary dysfunction in the U.S. today. Here are some of the highlights:

• 58% of our adult population never reads another book after high school.
• In 2001, the average reader spent 4.1 minutes book reading per day.
• 80% of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year.
• Per capita spending on books per month was $7.18.
• 70% of adults have not been in a bookstore in the last 5 years.
• Most readers do not get past page 18 in a book they have purchased.

The National Endowment for the Arts has concluded that literary reading will virtually disappear within 50 years. Is it any wonder that the average person is no longer capable of any sort of critical thinking. Hours and hours spent in front of the television have turned many minds to mush.

Turn off the tube and read a book. Exercise your mind. Build it up. Develop critical thinking skills that can withstand the onslaught of propaganda that comes our way day after day through the modern media. Make reading a priority. You won’t regret it.