Cheaters and the Tube

 

Here is an excellent letter-to-the-editor

San Francisco Chronicle, December 4th, 2008

 

Editor – The article, “Skimping on Ethics?” does not address one of the underlying reasons for increased plagiarism by students’ “borrowing” material from sources like the Internet.

 

I think it has a direct correlation to the influence of electronic visual media, such as TV, replacing more imaginative activities like reading. Students do not adequately develop their inner voices to confidently and creatively express themselves in writing. Thus, the temptation to copy someone else overcomes the inherent joy of self-expression.

 

This is a serious problem because writing and reading – not video-watching and TV – are still the foundation of our education system. As a former evaluator of essay-type tests from students around the country, I was appalled at the abject caliber of their writing.

 

What can adults do? Model good behavior for youth by reading and turning off the TV.

 

FREDERICK BEIDERBECKE

 

Rancho Cordova

 

Booktree – in England

Booktree

Originally uploaded by ulle.b

An amazing bookstore booktree, found in Lloyds Of Kew in London, England.

Image used under a Creative Commons license from ulle.b

Book Tree

Gorgeous mural in Faifax, California:

Book Mural

Anti-TV Novels

I wish I had a long list of Anti-TV novels to review. Unfortunately, I could only find four:

 

 “Feed”

 “The TV Kid”

 “Fahrenheit 451″

 “Television”

 

Also, honorable mention to “The Traveler“, a thriller which mentions TV as a form of social control to be rejected by those in the know.

 

If you know of any others, please let me know!

 

 

 

The Power of Fiction

Novels, even though they are fictional can convey powerful political messages (for both good and evil).

 

Traditionally the power of fiction was understood, this was partly why Literature used to be considered an essential subject for the well-educated scholar.

 

 

Book Review: Read & Grow Rich

 

Read & Grow Rich: How the Hidden Power of Reading Can Make You Richer in All Areas of Your Life by Burke Hedges

 

Despite the kind of cheesy title, I actually really liked this book. The Author, Mr. Hedges was not a big reader, but reluctantly decided to read a self-help book that his sister-in-law had recommended. This book not only inspired him to read more books, it actually inspired him to change his life, to make the changes necessary for him to grow rich, both materially and spiritually.

 

Reading self-help books, although very helpful for many people, is also considered kind of déclassé. This is ironic since traditionally, studying the humanities (including Literature) was considered a form of self-help, a respected way to understand humanity and oneself.

 

This is something Mr. Hedges touches upon when he lists a number of historical self-help books such as Pilgrims Progress and Walden. Both are popular self-help books, that are also considered Literature.