Reading

I realized recently that I generally dislike reading, and that came as a surprise to me. I loved to read when I was younger. But after doing a lot more of it this week for school, I know it to be true.

Reading makes me lonely. Especially in an academic context. When I'm doing physics and math, I can work through problems with others, bounce ideas off them, discuss concepts with them. When you're reading, that comforting presence of another struggling with exactly what you're struggling with is not a luxury you can afford. Their very presence in fact distracts from your goal, rather than facilitating you reaching it. Sure, you can discuss concepts from the book afterwards with others, but that process of initial reading and absorbing is inherently a solitary task.

I think that's why I dislike reading. It reminds me how alone I am.