There is a documentary about the technological revolution titled “The Social Dilemma,” available on YouTube, which I have my students at St. John’s University watch and discuss in class. The documentary features interviews with various individuals, including some who have worked in Silicon Valley and others who are actors.
I strongly recommend it to anyone who reads this column. One of the most compelling—and frightening—truths revealed is that many of the creators of cell phones and other inventions do not allow their own children to use these technologies due to their potentially harmful effects. To me, that is devastating news.
While I recognize the need for analysis on how to make technology safe and beneficial rather than psychologically harmful, I am particularly concerned about a prevalent issue I’ve encountered: every teacher, both at the high school and college levels, has acknowledged that students tend to read their cell phones more than books.
This realization has inspired me to start my own apostolate to promote reading among my students and any high school or college students I meet. Although I am not trained to address psychological issues stemming from cell phone addiction, I hope to encourage students to embrace reading as a vital way to grow and develop personally.
I have begun asking people—students and non-students alike—if they are reading anything interesting, often initiating conversations with that question. The responses frequently lead to engaging discussions and sometimes even recommendations for books I haven’t read.
While I’m unsure if this approach will boost my popularity, I have found it opens up intriguing topics. Without being pushy, I emphasize to students the value of keeping a book on hand for whenever they have free time. I often recall advice I received from an older seminarian during my time in the major seminary: “Try to develop the habit of study.”
Taking that advice seriously dramatically changed my life.
Pope Francis once spoke to contemporary artists and writers, saying, “‘Meaning’ cannot be reduced to a concept… True meaning does not come from a dictionary… Literature is like a thorn in the heart; it moves us to contemplation and sets us on a journey.”
His reflections on literature resonate with my hopes for myself and others. Reading a great book can transform our perspectives on ourselves, others, and even God. When we engage with a great author, we encounter someone who has captured the complexities of life and expressed them through their writing. Great writers are indeed gift-givers, and their works can be profound blessings in our lives.
As I write this column, I am considering ways to motivate students not only to read within the context of my courses but also to foster a broader reading habit throughout their academic pursuits.
I am committed to finding methods to encourage students to read and reflect on what they read throughout the semester. I hope that my passion for the importance of reading will challenge and excite them.
Father Lauder is a philosophy professor at St. John’s University, Jamaica. He presents two 15-minute talks from his lecture series on the Catholic Novel, 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday on NET-TV.