[Applause] what if I told you that by exercising a
what if I told you that by exercising a
what if I told you that by exercising a skill which all of you have had since
skill which all of you have had since
skill which all of you have had since first grade you are likely to become a
first grade you are likely to become a
first grade you are likely to become a wealthier and more successful person in
wealthier and more successful person in
wealthier and more successful person in the future this is a tool which mankind
the future this is a tool which mankind
the future this is a tool which mankind has regarded is an essential tool for
has regarded is an essential tool for
has regarded is an essential tool for thousands of years first acknowledged
thousands of years first acknowledged
thousands of years first acknowledged 5000 years ago it was considered a
5000 years ago it was considered a
5000 years ago it was considered a symbol of power and influence to anybody
symbol of power and influence to anybody
symbol of power and influence to anybody who could harness it
who could harness it
who could harness it the few who had this ability for
the few who had this ability for
the few who had this ability for considered better than empowered
considered better than empowered
considered better than empowered Almighty even whereas now even though
Almighty even whereas now even though
Almighty even whereas now even though all of you possess it less will choose
all of you possess it less will choose
all of you possess it less will choose to use it out of your own will so what
to use it out of your own will so what
to use it out of your own will so what is the skill that can promise a free
is the skill that can promise a free
is the skill that can promise a free vacation an immediate adventure or a
vacation an immediate adventure or a
vacation an immediate adventure or a passionate turn of events the answer to
passionate turn of events the answer to
passionate turn of events the answer to this riddle reading that is her personal
this riddle reading that is her personal
this riddle reading that is her personal enjoyment how many of you here with a
enjoyment how many of you here with a
enjoyment how many of you here with a show of hands can tell me that you
show of hands can tell me that you
show of hands can tell me that you dislike reading just like how many of
dislike reading just like how many of
dislike reading just like how many of you here for the show of hands can tell
you here for the show of hands can tell
you here for the show of hands can tell me that you were wish that you wish you
me that you were wish that you wish you
me that you were wish that you wish you were reading this instant I’m here to
were reading this instant I’m here to
were reading this instant I’m here to tell you that you should love reading
tell you that you should love reading
tell you that you should love reading and to show you that you will love
and to show you that you will love
and to show you that you will love reading once you understand its hidden
reading once you understand its hidden
reading once you understand its hidden power to fully grasp the importance of
power to fully grasp the importance of
power to fully grasp the importance of this tool let’s look at history
this tool let’s look at history
this tool let’s look at history innovation in 3000 BC and things as
innovation in 3000 BC and things as
innovation in 3000 BC and things as basic is reading and writing and it was
basic is reading and writing and it was
basic is reading and writing and it was a defining characteristic of what a
a defining characteristic of what a
a defining characteristic of what a civilization was the creation of this
civilization was the creation of this
civilization was the creation of this silent code that can transfer a message
silent code that can transfer a message
silent code that can transfer a message we’re not making a sound not settlements
we’re not making a sound not settlements
we’re not making a sound not settlements to become the progressive cultures we
to become the progressive cultures we
to become the progressive cultures we see today in ancient Egypt for example
see today in ancient Egypt for example
see today in ancient Egypt for example people actually dedicated their entire
people actually dedicated their entire
people actually dedicated their entire lives to reading and writing describe
lives to reading and writing describe
lives to reading and writing describe were often appointed as chief ministers
were often appointed as chief ministers
were often appointed as chief ministers next to government officials it is safe
next to government officials it is safe
next to government officials it is safe to say that the few in ancient Egypt who
to say that the few in ancient Egypt who
to say that the few in ancient Egypt who had this ability which only compromised
had this ability which only compromised
had this ability which only compromised 1% of the population grew well at the
1% of the population grew well at the
1% of the population grew well at the top of the social hierarchy and
top of the social hierarchy and
top of the social hierarchy and respected in their community reading and
respected in their community reading and
respected in their community reading and writing open doors to understanding the
writing open doors to understanding the
writing open doors to understanding the self society in the natural world it
self society in the natural world it
self society in the natural world it meant that you had greater understanding
meant that you had greater understanding
meant that you had greater understanding greater insight and control over ideas
greater insight and control over ideas
greater insight and control over ideas shared it was appreciated at the power
shared it was appreciated at the power
shared it was appreciated at the power do you see this reflected in our society
do you see this reflected in our society
do you see this reflected in our society today in our country in our city or in
today in our country in our city or in
today in our country in our city or in our classrooms nowadays reading and
our classrooms nowadays reading and
our classrooms nowadays reading and writing is old knows it is no longer
writing is old knows it is no longer
writing is old knows it is no longer appreciated as a power because this
appreciated as a power because this
appreciated as a power because this inflation and accessibility to literacy
inflation and accessibility to literacy
inflation and accessibility to literacy has entirely shift of the demand for
has entirely shift of the demand for
has entirely shift of the demand for beef so reading is widely disregarded by
beef so reading is widely disregarded by
beef so reading is widely disregarded by you a study published by The Huffington
you a study published by The Huffington
you a study published by The Huffington Post showed that out of the pool of
Post showed that out of the pool of
Post showed that out of the pool of 1,000 Americans 28% 20% and not read a
1,000 Americans 28% 20% and not read a
1,000 Americans 28% 20% and not read a single book in the past year it is
single book in the past year it is
single book in the past year it is shocking to see such a high number in a
shocking to see such a high number in a
shocking to see such a high number in a country that has considered a world
country that has considered a world
country that has considered a world power but that’s the United States what
power but that’s the United States what
power but that’s the United States what about here in a Managua that are very
about here in a Managua that are very
about here in a Managua that are very swamp a survey was sent to you last week
swamp a survey was sent to you last week
swamp a survey was sent to you last week asking a couple of questions on a scale
asking a couple of questions on a scale
asking a couple of questions on a scale from zero to five I was glad to see that
from zero to five I was glad to see that
from zero to five I was glad to see that you the question is reading important
you the question is reading important
you the question is reading important the vast majority of you said it was
the vast majority of you said it was
the vast majority of you said it was really important however that they
really important however that they
really important however that they reflect for the next session
reflect for the next session
reflect for the next session how much do you enjoy reading almost 70
how much do you enjoy reading almost 70
how much do you enjoy reading almost 70 percent of you seemed unsure and
percent of you seemed unsure and
percent of you seemed unsure and answered in the lower categories and to
answered in the lower categories and to
answered in the lower categories and to next question how many books have you
next question how many books have you
next question how many books have you read in the past six months fifteen
read in the past six months fifteen
read in the past six months fifteen percent of you had not read a single
percent of you had not read a single
percent of you had not read a single book and about one-third of you had to
book and about one-third of you had to
book and about one-third of you had to read maybe one or two how is it possible
read maybe one or two how is it possible
read maybe one or two how is it possible that we’re not reading and that
that we’re not reading and that
that we’re not reading and that Americans aren’t reading how is it
Americans aren’t reading how is it
Americans aren’t reading how is it possible that we’re not reading when 83%
possible that we’re not reading when 83%
possible that we’re not reading when 83% of the world today is reported as
of the world today is reported as
of the world today is reported as literate a potential answer lies in one
literate a potential answer lies in one
literate a potential answer lies in one of the greatest yet arguably detrimental
of the greatest yet arguably detrimental
of the greatest yet arguably detrimental advancements over time information and
advancements over time information and
advancements over time information and communication technologies as a tension
communication technologies as a tension
communication technologies as a tension shifted towards your iPhone’s
shifted towards your iPhone’s
shifted towards your iPhone’s laptops Netflix in social media reading
laptops Netflix in social media reading
laptops Netflix in social media reading has become stale so mutter technology
has become stale so mutter technology
has become stale so mutter technology has a game in a game although it has
has a game in a game although it has
has a game in a game although it has United our worlds enhanced communication
United our worlds enhanced communication
United our worlds enhanced communication provided amusement and even educated us
provided amusement and even educated us
provided amusement and even educated us through platforms like Khan Academy and
through platforms like Khan Academy and
through platforms like Khan Academy and said it also has a dark side technology
said it also has a dark side technology
said it also has a dark side technology first off is great addictive Americans
first off is great addictive Americans
first off is great addictive Americans are reported to watch up to four hours
are reported to watch up to four hours
are reported to watch up to four hours of television alone a day and rates of
of television alone a day and rates of
of television alone a day and rates of this addiction are as high as 25% in
this addiction are as high as 25% in
this addiction are as high as 25% in this population this can vary in
this population this can vary in
this population this can vary in different ways it can harm you it’s like
different ways it can harm you it’s like
different ways it can harm you it’s like psychologically since the overuse of
psychologically since the overuse of
psychologically since the overuse of Technology is associated with the
Technology is associated with the
Technology is associated with the development of psychotic disorders
development of psychotic disorders
development of psychotic disorders especially ADHD it can also harm you
especially ADHD it can also harm you
especially ADHD it can also harm you socially since the overuse of Technology
socially since the overuse of Technology
socially since the overuse of Technology is associated with less social
is associated with less social
is associated with less social interaction consequently less social
interaction consequently less social
interaction consequently less social skills and it can even harm you
skills and it can even harm you
skills and it can even harm you physically it’s computer vision syndrome
physically it’s computer vision syndrome
physically it’s computer vision syndrome strains our eyesight and is fairly
strains our eyesight and is fairly
strains our eyesight and is fairly common affecting from 50 to 90% of
common affecting from 50 to 90% of
common affecting from 50 to 90% of people who view a computer screen daily
people who view a computer screen daily
people who view a computer screen daily and that includes us however unlike
and that includes us however unlike
and that includes us however unlike technology books won’t harm you reading
technology books won’t harm you reading
technology books won’t harm you reading has never been reported to create
has never been reported to create
has never been reported to create psychological or social problems
psychological or social problems
psychological or social problems contrary they can solve such disorders
contrary they can solve such disorders
contrary they can solve such disorders if you still don’t believe me I have
if you still don’t believe me I have
if you still don’t believe me I have narrowed down my core main benefits
narrowed down my core main benefits
narrowed down my core main benefits which reading provide in the way that it
which reading provide in the way that it
which reading provide in the way that it is really a superpower we all know that
is really a superpower we all know that
is really a superpower we all know that reading has a strong correlation with
reading has a strong correlation with
reading has a strong correlation with academic achievement but do you know why
academic achievement but do you know why
academic achievement but do you know why your National Endowment for the Arts
your National Endowment for the Arts
your National Endowment for the Arts found that SAT scores are roughly 30
found that SAT scores are roughly 30
found that SAT scores are roughly 30 points higher for people who with 100 or
points higher for people who with 100 or
points higher for people who with 100 or more books at home this is because these
more books at home this is because these
more books at home this is because these tests test your reading and writing
tests test your reading and writing
tests test your reading and writing abilities so having books at home and
abilities so having books at home and
abilities so having books at home and actually reading them can give you an
actually reading them can give you an
actually reading them can give you an advantage it’s not only an advantage
advantage it’s not only an advantage
advantage it’s not only an advantage into your scores but also an advantage
into your scores but also an advantage
into your scores but also an advantage into your future success and career in
into your future success and career in
into your future success and career in fact business and fighter insider found
fact business and fighter insider found
fact business and fighter insider found that people who had higher SAT scores
that people who had higher SAT scores
that people who had higher SAT scores likely to be accepted to top colleges
likely to be accepted to top colleges
likely to be accepted to top colleges more likely to earn advanced degrees
more likely to earn advanced degrees
more likely to earn advanced degrees more likely to earn more scholarship
more likely to earn more scholarship
more likely to earn more scholarship money and more likely to gain more
money and more likely to gain more
money and more likely to gain more income more money in this entire process
income more money in this entire process
income more money in this entire process boils down to reading and knowing this
boils down to reading and knowing this
boils down to reading and knowing this why not choose to read the second
why not choose to read the second
why not choose to read the second benefit is escape both literally as we
benefit is escape both literally as we
benefit is escape both literally as we just discussed but also figuratively
just discussed but also figuratively
just discussed but also figuratively sometimes we need a distraction
sometimes we need a distraction
sometimes we need a distraction and books allow you to step into the
and books allow you to step into the
and books allow you to step into the feet of another person and experience a
feet of another person and experience a
feet of another person and experience a journey other than your own life a new I
journey other than your own life a new I
journey other than your own life a new I open extort these characters on pen and
open extort these characters on pen and
open extort these characters on pen and paper transfer a message without making
paper transfer a message without making
paper transfer a message without making a sound they can make you feel a certain
a sound they can make you feel a certain
a sound they can make you feel a certain way without it being your story and they
way without it being your story and they
way without it being your story and they can make you learn progressively this
can make you learn progressively this
can make you learn progressively this beautiful concept is vaguely similar to
beautiful concept is vaguely similar to
beautiful concept is vaguely similar to how our generation loses themselves into
how our generation loses themselves into
how our generation loses themselves into a Netflix but without the implications
a Netflix but without the implications
a Netflix but without the implications of Technology the third benefit is one
of Technology the third benefit is one
of Technology the third benefit is one that we can all relate to stress all of
that we can all relate to stress all of
that we can all relate to stress all of us here are stressed over a part hours
us here are stressed over a part hours
us here are stressed over a part hours full work are exhausting extracurricular
full work are exhausting extracurricular
full work are exhausting extracurricular activities and our busy social lives so
activities and our busy social lives so
activities and our busy social lives so what can we possibly do about it well
what can we possibly do about it well
what can we possibly do about it well reading is among the best stee stressors
reading is among the best stee stressors
reading is among the best stee stressors it allows you to alleviate attention
it allows you to alleviate attention
it allows you to alleviate attention from your body and even help you fall
from your body and even help you fall
from your body and even help you fall asleep easier when it comes to school
asleep easier when it comes to school
asleep easier when it comes to school you may need a book in order to
you may need a book in order to
you may need a book in order to alleviate stress however school may be
alleviate stress however school may be
alleviate stress however school may be the reason why you don’t enjoy books in
the reason why you don’t enjoy books in
the reason why you don’t enjoy books in the first place let’s revisit our
the first place let’s revisit our
the first place let’s revisit our serving to the question asking whether
serving to the question asking whether
serving to the question asking whether you enjoyed the books of school assign
you enjoyed the books of school assign
you enjoyed the books of school assign note that more than half of you strongly
note that more than half of you strongly
note that more than half of you strongly disliked the books that our curriculum
disliked the books that our curriculum
disliked the books that our curriculum of science so if you fit into these four
of science so if you fit into these four
of science so if you fit into these four lower categories ask yourself have you
lower categories ask yourself have you
lower categories ask yourself have you subconsciously created a negative image
subconsciously created a negative image
subconsciously created a negative image based on reading based on a book that
based on reading based on a book that
based on reading based on a book that you were once forced to read and Squa
you were once forced to read and Squa
you were once forced to read and Squa this happened to me not at school but at
this happened to me not at school but at
this happened to me not at school but at home my mom being a writer pressure me
home my mom being a writer pressure me
home my mom being a writer pressure me to enjoy reading
to enjoy reading
to enjoy reading very young age so I mindlessly pushed
very young age so I mindlessly pushed
very young age so I mindlessly pushed anything away until I found a book of my
anything away until I found a book of my
anything away until I found a book of my own interest I encourage you to do the
own interest I encourage you to do the
own interest I encourage you to do the same so pinpoint a genre that you’re
same so pinpoint a genre that you’re
same so pinpoint a genre that you’re interested in then go to your local
interested in then go to your local
interested in then go to your local library research online or even ask your
library research online or even ask your
library research online or even ask your peers for a recommendation and lastly
peers for a recommendation and lastly
peers for a recommendation and lastly stick to it you will find a book that
stick to it you will find a book that
stick to it you will find a book that you identify with you’re a special book
you identify with you’re a special book
you identify with you’re a special book among the countless ones out there the
among the countless ones out there the
among the countless ones out there the port benefits most importantly can build
port benefits most importantly can build
port benefits most importantly can build community a study published by The
community a study published by The
community a study published by The Huffington Post show the people who had
Huffington Post show the people who had
Huffington Post show the people who had recently read fictional books had
recently read fictional books had
recently read fictional books had experienced boosts and empathy this is
experienced boosts and empathy this is
experienced boosts and empathy this is because as we read we identify with a
because as we read we identify with a
because as we read we identify with a protagonist you become more self-aware
protagonist you become more self-aware
protagonist you become more self-aware and aware of others because we’re in the
and aware of others because we’re in the
and aware of others because we’re in the feet of another person this means that
feet of another person this means that
feet of another person this means that we’re capable of in twinning what other
we’re capable of in twinning what other
we’re capable of in twinning what other people feel
people feel
people feel we are capable of in twinning what other
we are capable of in twinning what other
we are capable of in twinning what other people think this is the fourth benefit
people think this is the fourth benefit
people think this is the fourth benefit social understanding empathy
social understanding empathy
social understanding empathy communication or as I like to call it a
communication or as I like to call it a
communication or as I like to call it a mind-reading ability a superpower I
mind-reading ability a superpower I
mind-reading ability a superpower I would like you all to close your eyes
would like you all to close your eyes
would like you all to close your eyes imagine a society where we were all
imagine a society where we were all
imagine a society where we were all mindful where nobody ever became a
mindful where nobody ever became a
mindful where nobody ever became a social outcast where you did not have to
social outcast where you did not have to
social outcast where you did not have to bottle up feelings because those around
bottle up feelings because those around
bottle up feelings because those around you understood imagine if you knew how
you understood imagine if you knew how
you understood imagine if you knew how to communicate effectively with others
to communicate effectively with others
to communicate effectively with others therefore preventing conflicts or
therefore preventing conflicts or
therefore preventing conflicts or solving it now open your eyes to see
solving it now open your eyes to see
solving it now open your eyes to see that if we’ve all had this mind-reading
that if we’ve all had this mind-reading
that if we’ve all had this mind-reading ability our community would reach
ability our community would reach
ability our community would reach unprecedented heights why should you
unprecedented heights why should you
unprecedented heights why should you believe me well because I experienced
believe me well because I experienced
believe me well because I experienced this shift in my own family and social
this shift in my own family and social
this shift in my own family and social circle you’re a book that changed my
circle you’re a book that changed my
circle you’re a book that changed my life all the light we cannot see by
life all the light we cannot see by
life all the light we cannot see by Anthony Doerr this book features a young
Anthony Doerr this book features a young
Anthony Doerr this book features a young German soldier named Verner
German soldier named Verner
German soldier named Verner during World War two one of the most
during World War two one of the most
during World War two one of the most impactful scenes in the book features
impactful scenes in the book features
impactful scenes in the book features him being trapped underground with the
him being trapped underground with the
him being trapped underground with the vibrations of bombs nearby and deprived
vibrations of bombs nearby and deprived
vibrations of bombs nearby and deprived to basic life support the way the
to basic life support the way the
to basic life support the way the chapter is described is disturbing and I
chapter is described is disturbing and I
chapter is described is disturbing and I found immense sympathy but more
found immense sympathy but more
found immense sympathy but more importantly I gained sudden in-depth
importantly I gained sudden in-depth
importantly I gained sudden in-depth understanding and appreciation for a
understanding and appreciation for a
understanding and appreciation for a family member of mine
family member of mine
family member of mine I had always been aware that my
I had always been aware that my
I had always been aware that my grandfather considered an intellectual
grandfather considered an intellectual
grandfather considered an intellectual force in my family had experienced a
force in my family had experienced a
force in my family had experienced a similar scene to the one Verner and the
similar scene to the one Verner and the
similar scene to the one Verner and the book had but I never really got it but
book had but I never really got it but
book had but I never really got it but after stepping into the feet of the
after stepping into the feet of the
after stepping into the feet of the character of this book I suddenly need
character of this book I suddenly need
character of this book I suddenly need appreciation and I understood I
appreciation and I understood I
appreciation and I understood I understood why I won we would but two
understood why I won we would but two
understood why I won we would but two restaurants would say order what you
restaurants would say order what you
restaurants would say order what you wish but finished every last sight I
wish but finished every last sight I
wish but finished every last sight I understood why every ounce of food was
understood why every ounce of food was
understood why every ounce of food was significant just a small piece of his
significant just a small piece of his
significant just a small piece of his abroad of mind his experience through a
abroad of mind his experience through a
abroad of mind his experience through a war as an innocent kid I was able to
war as an innocent kid I was able to
war as an innocent kid I was able to perceive their burners perspective
perceive their burners perspective
perceive their burners perspective perhaps the craziest connection of all
perhaps the craziest connection of all
perhaps the craziest connection of all is that my grandfather like the
is that my grandfather like the
is that my grandfather like the protagonist of this book was also named
protagonist of this book was also named
protagonist of this book was also named foreigner they were both brilliant brave
foreigner they were both brilliant brave
foreigner they were both brilliant brave and lived through pivotal experiences
and lived through pivotal experiences
and lived through pivotal experiences and now I Eleanor because of a book to a
and now I Eleanor because of a book to a
and now I Eleanor because of a book to a greater extent understood them and there
greater extent understood them and there
greater extent understood them and there we are so let’s recap reading has
we are so let’s recap reading has
we are so let’s recap reading has critical benefits ranging from
critical benefits ranging from
critical benefits ranging from increasing your likeliness to succeed in
increasing your likeliness to succeed in
increasing your likeliness to succeed in life to reaching global
life to reaching global
life to reaching global interconnectivity through empathy we can
interconnectivity through empathy we can
interconnectivity through empathy we can unlock so much potential so let’s do it
unlock so much potential so let’s do it
unlock so much potential so let’s do it take this from me somebody your own age
take this from me somebody your own age
take this from me somebody your own age for understanding reading is critical
for understanding reading is critical
for understanding reading is critical not only because of the previous
not only because of the previous
not only because of the previous benefits I just listed but also because
benefits I just listed but also because
benefits I just listed but also because there is an underlying
there is an underlying
there is an underlying benefit that is the books carry the
benefit that is the books carry the
benefit that is the books carry the development of society from the
development of society from the
development of society from the beginning of time how do we know about
beginning of time how do we know about
beginning of time how do we know about the first myths in history they were
the first myths in history they were
the first myths in history they were parchments that became the first books
parchments that became the first books
parchments that became the first books how do we know what to believe about God
how do we know what to believe about God
how do we know what to believe about God the Bible the Koran the Torah
the Bible the Koran the Torah
the Bible the Koran the Torah the Noble Eightfold Path how do we know
the Noble Eightfold Path how do we know
the Noble Eightfold Path how do we know about evolution Darwin’s On the Origin
about evolution Darwin’s On the Origin
about evolution Darwin’s On the Origin of Species and so on again we can unlock
of Species and so on again we can unlock
of Species and so on again we can unlock so much potential so let’s allow reading
so much potential so let’s allow reading
so much potential so let’s allow reading to help us emerge is the best version of
to help us emerge is the best version of
to help us emerge is the best version of ourselves with more insight with more
ourselves with more insight with more
ourselves with more insight with more empathy with likeliness to succeed with
empathy with likeliness to succeed with
empathy with likeliness to succeed with a mind-reading ability you could learn
a mind-reading ability you could learn
a mind-reading ability you could learn so much more about yourself and you
so much more about yourself and you
so much more about yourself and you could learn so much more about the world
could learn so much more about the world
could learn so much more about the world around you every important event and
around you every important event and
around you every important event and innovation and legacy and historical
innovation and legacy and historical
innovation and legacy and historical figure has been captured in a book and
figure has been captured in a book and
figure has been captured in a book and so will they continue to be there books
so will they continue to be there books
so will they continue to be there books people have been able to leave a message
people have been able to leave a message
people have been able to leave a message a mark a legacy understanding the past
a mark a legacy understanding the past
a mark a legacy understanding the past in communicating with the future it
in communicating with the future it
in communicating with the future it simultaneously allowed them to stand out
simultaneously allowed them to stand out
simultaneously allowed them to stand out from the crowd and to push Society
from the crowd and to push Society
from the crowd and to push Society forward but of course all of these
forward but of course all of these
forward but of course all of these stories would be left untold unless we
stories would be left untold unless we
stories would be left untold unless we read them thank you
read them thank you
read them thank you [Applause]
”
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