Josh+M’s+Final+AmEx+Speech+2016


 * R.I.P. Books **

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z.

26 letters. Over one million words in the English Language. An infinite number of combinations and an infinite number of stories.

Since I was young, I’ve dreamed of becoming a writer. Whether it be an author, a screenwriter, or a journalist, I still don’t know. But I’ve always practiced. I’ve always enjoyed it: creating thrilling stories, shocking plotlines, contrasting characters.

But, I’ve been warned numerous times by adults to never become a writer, of any sorts, because writers don’t make money. I’ve been told to focus on jobs in different areas, ones that “pay well” or “make a bigger difference.” But why? Why is writing looked down upon and underappreciated?

Two days ago, I didn’t really know what I wanted to talk about for this speech. But I soon realized that I should share what I am most passionate about:

How reading and writing shaped my life, and how they are no longer appreciated by society.

I’ve never been much of a TV person, ever since I was young. Sure, I had a few favorite cartoons that I would enjoy on an early Saturday morning, but --- it didn’t do much for me.

Most of the time, before I was even allowed to watch TV, my parents insisted that I read at least one chapter in a book of my choosing. My mom had been reading to me since the day of my birth; every night on the rocking chair. Even when we first moved to Ventura, we read the entire Chronicles of Narnia together as a family, every night before we went to bed.

So my interest of reading was already ingrained in my mind: having to pay attention to the small details, tearing through exciting and action packed climaxes, exploring new worlds, and understanding different characters.

Because I fell in love with reading at such a young age, I had a higher reading level than most people (who remembers those?), and I also looked forward to visiting the library or searching for new books at Barnes and Noble.

Reading helped me find my passion of creative writing. I was fascinated by all the possibilities for stories: ones that I could create, ones that I could control. I wanted to write like my favorite authors and create a new world, a new reality, where I could escape to, and allow others to follow.

It was in the fourth grade when I wrote my first “novel.” I wrote the draft on a spiral notebook, and was thrilled when I finished at 88 pages. (Though it might sound cool, it’s kinda a knock-off slash combination of Narnia and the Spiderwick Chronicles). The first book is titled, “The City of Evalon.”

--FLIP THROUGH PAGES-- Ah, what a beautiful 88 paged mess of misspellings, chicken scratch, and insipid ideas.

But, in my freetime, I wanted to read and write, in contrast of other kids my age, who hated reading and thought it was boring, saying they’d rather watch TV or play video games. I wrote two more books in the series I started, though I never completed the third.

In my free time now, I still write, but it fluctuates between novel ideas, screenwriting, and journalism.

Today, I hear all the time how people wish they read more or could “actually find a good book I’d like.” But the problem is, either they aren’t looking, or if they are, __they aren’t looking hard enough__.

The value of reading, literature, and writing has significantly decreased, because of technology, and other simplified options the world offers:

Such as Sparknotes. Now, please raise your hand if you use Sparknotes instead of reading assigned books. Yeah, well, I have too. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially if we don’t have time to read, but it just prevents our ability to learn, expand our minds, and think creatively, since all the information is condensed and simplified for us.

Books are completely forgotten about and underappreciated. No one wants to, has time to, or thinks about reading anymore. This is what society is doing to literature, reading, and the value of writing.

--RIP PAGES OF BOOK-- --THROW THEM IN CAMERA---

No one reads anymore. According to a survey online, only 7% of Americans ages 16 and older have completely read one book in the last six months. Reading and writing used to be the main form of entertainment and relaxation, but now it is diluted and covered by technology and media.

I want to grow old in an American society where reading regains its importance and is appreciated as it once was. Where people realize the pleasure in reading and how they can learn from it.

It’s more than just an infinite sea of letters, more than just an infinite sea of words.

It’s an unforgettable story.

http://gizmodo.com/5971608/how-much-do-americans-read-and-how-much-of-that-is-with-ebooks
 * Sources **