Spectators of Our Own Lives

My last video about “You Only Get One Read” has made me think about how people would still rather follow the advice of a “literary guru” than dive into the rambunctious waters of the unknown. Some quick research on the matter is enough to confirm my suspicion: nowadays, more than ever, people shy away from doing the things they dream of doing. They would rather watch others doing the things they would love to do, instead of being the subjects of their own lives. And they end up handing that position, instead, to those they deem more enlightened, more capable, more creative.

I read somewhere last week about a man who claimed to love music, movies and video games. When asked about his favorite games, he replied that he had never played a game in his whole life. He watched channels about gaming instead, and the same applied to his other passions. I wonder if the same thing is happening with reading. It is easier to watch an hour-long video about an author and their work than to explore and read it solo.

I wonder when we lost our ability to unapologetically face the discomfort of not knowing, and to initiate the terrifying dialogue with an author who seems impossible to understand. What are we really losing when we outsource our hobbies to others?