Living in the media capital of the world, working in book publishing, and being ever curious, I am always astounded when faced with the ignorance of my fellow citizens—ignorance as in lack of knowledge. I was saddened and angered yet again just yesterday morning, my first full day (ever) in the Southwest. A helpful, courteous, quite lovely employee at the hotel in northern Phoenix at which we were staying began talking to my husband and me. She spoke wistfully about traveling, about leaving America. Her reason for getting away from the USA? President Obama. She didn't care where she went. England, Germany, France, would be fine with her, she would be happy to leave given the "direction" the country was going under the Obama Administration.
Flabbergasted, I told her that if she didn't like Obama, she'd hate Europe; those counties have "socialized" medicine, among many other things, and they love it. Demand it, in fact. The hotel employee seemed startled to hear this. The discussion then moved on to health care. I'm very fortunate, I work for a company that offers both medical and dental plans. Unfortunately, our new acquaintance had tales of woe, including being told to leave a doctor's office (more than once) because she didn't have insurance. This poor woman was also missing several teeth, most likely I'm guessing for lack of dental coverage.
So what does all this have to do with books? Lots. It breaks my heart how little people know besides what they hear from certain media outlets and from like-minded friends spreading ridiculous rumors. Like "Obama is taking over the Internet and you can't get your email." Yes, she told us this as well. When people are afraid and want to believe the worst, they will. Like those senior citizens at town hall meetings who refused to believe that medicare is a government program. How did we transform from a country of citizens who made their way into fearsome, unknown territory into a nation of scaredypants so afraid of germs they demand antibacterial wipes to swab grocery cart handles?
But I digress. Knowledge, books, are the weapon to conquer ignorance. Unfortunately, too few "ordinary" people read, and I really don't have any answers for how to get them interested. I wish I did. Despite the indignities this woman has suffered, she still sides with those who do not have her best interests at heart, though they sure make it sound like they do.
If self interest won't motivate people to educate themselves, what will?
Happier posts ahead, I swear, including commentary on South of Broad, That Old Cape Magic, and the new Lorrie Moore, which I'm reading on my iPhone (my absolute preferred way of reading electronically!) and enjoying immensely.
