Scribbles

How far technology and science has come in terms of improving human entertainment. We now have the Sony PSP which is more powerful than any kind of computer (yes, computer!) I had before college. It has better technology than I ever imagined as a high schooler. Are kids really spoiled nowadays? Should we divert some of our creativity and energy into better causes? I say yes!

A recent example is where I assigned some reading to my troubled cousin, Christopher, who never reads anything. I looked for a novel from my shelf and found the ole classic “Sword of Shannara” by Terry Brooks. I think I read it around junior high, and thoroughly enjoyed it, and subsequent fantasy novels by the same author. Thinking this would be easy and enjoyable reading for Chris, I asked him to read it in 5 days over his Spring Break. So on the third day, I call him and discover that he is barely slogging through it, only a third through. I asked him what was going on, and he actually complained to me, “Can you not give me such boring reading assignments anymore? This is exactly the same as Lord of the Rings.” I was shocked! Reading Tolkien’s trilogy is no small feat. “You actually read LOTR?!?!” “Uh… no, I watched the movies.”

As a technology enthusiast, I have found the strides in CG and animation by the industry both impressive and inspiring. But I never would have imagined my predicament it has resulted. Back in the day, to make a movie out of any fantasy novel in a meaningful manner was out of the question. So fantasy readers had the benefit of using good ole imagination to keep their minds entertained. Sheesh, while I read, I loved to conjure up imagery of magic and steel weaponry in a fantasy world. But now I can only thank Peter Jackson for my defunct plans for Chris.

So I asked him what did he want to read then, if he didn’t want any more fantasy novels. He replied, “How about that guy, Tom Clancy?” I was again shocked. How in the world does this teenager who never reads know Tom freakin Clancy?!?! His books are incredibly long, well written, and entertaining as hell. “Uh, ok, that’s cool with me, but how did you know Tom Clancy?”

“He wrote some book that they made this awesome video game out of.”