I’ve always considered the statement “I do not like to read” as somewhat dubious. In my opinion, there’s always something interesting to read; perhaps that person simply hasn’t found THE book. However, my friend corrected me, emphasizing that it’s not necessarily the case. Some people genuinely do not enjoy reading books in any form or format.
What’s your take on such cases? Do you believe it’s a matter of finding the right book, or is it indeed a case of liking or disliking reading altogether?
Eh, I think reading is more a skill than a hobby. Preferring a specific type of book (eg. fiction novels) over others is a purely matter of taste, but people who don’t like to read anything and reject the written word, period, are not going to be inclined to read the news, to read think pieces, to read textbooks.
It is much more difficult to learn things and understand the world if you’re allergic to reading. If your position is that you don’t enjoy any book in any format about anything…eh. That’s not great imo. At least in my mind, the it’s quite different from not liking sports or not liking video games.
A “skill” and a “hobby” are not mutually exclusive concepts though. All “hobby” describes is a pursuit someone engages in that they do not do for the sake of monetization, but rather purely self-fulfillment. Playing an instrument, learning a martial art, making pottery, etc. can all be hobbies. They also all require the development of skill through practice.
You’re conflating two different things here. Books =/= “the written word”. It’s perfectly possible for someone not to enjoy books but to enjoy magazines and newspapers and other, more concise forms of writing.
And reading online the many articles.