Cavalier

I don't especially like reading. Usually, I hate it. Even when presented with a good and enjoyable or stimulating read from an author I respect, I don't like the process of reading. Constantly I find myself checking page numbers or the clock. The process is archaic. Who has time to analyze ink spots molded into letters and then consider the significance of blocks of those ink spots suggesting a word or concept, let alone millions of those ink blot puzzles combined for one over all concept, message, or idea? Me referring to them as ink blots reveals how truly archaic the whole process is. Usually, they aren't ink blots anymore. Words are printed on the chemical conundrum that is my monitor. I have no idea how this works. Instantly a key stroke turns to a black "X" on this virtual notepad. I think there are a lot of 1s, 0s, and electrical circuits involved. Coal miners in Kentucky harvest the fuel to power the plant that fills my laptop with the sustenance needed to turn my finger hitting a button into an "X" on my screen. Corn farmers in Nebraska harvest tons of their crop to create un-corn-like things like double cheese burgers for a dollar at McDonald's which fuel me to hit that button in the first place. It seems like a lot of time and energy is put into me making that "X". I don't want to even consider how much energy sustains the internet and your access to these "X"s.

That has absolutely nothing to do with why I don't like reading. Reading takes too much of my time. I am happy for the farmers and miners and technicians that support the system of internet discourse. I love that people directly support my ability to produce and articulate my stupid ideas. However, if asked, I probably wouldn't have more than five minutes to spare for theirs. I don't like reading because I am a supreme egotist. Competition of ideas is the impetus for reading/writing/communicating, in my opinion. Reading what other people write is self defeating if I expect to ever be the king influencer, a prolific Stephen King best seller. Aside from professional ambitions, I am extremely busy swimming through my super profound and genius brain. I give myself the ideas and notions that keep the cogs of this world spinning, and decoding other people's pathetic attempts at influence simply wastes my time. I'm kind of the best writer ever, so why would I ever want to read the work of my peers and their lesser attempts at mimicking my mastery?