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An Unpopular Opinion on Reading
A few days ago, I watched an interesting video by a YouTuber named JaidenAnimations. She expressed her dislike for reading and the circumstances behind it.
Well, Jaiden used to love reading as a kid. She loved Geronimo Stilton and its creative narration. Over the years, however, her love for reading eventually disappears as she grows up.
She thinks reading became a necessity and punishment in her childhood. The former has made her read books only to save her grades in school.
The latter served as parental pressure to read books during vacation. It might have good intentions, but good intentions do have terrible outcomes. It was enough for to completely give up on reading.
After watching the video, I realized that the whole ordeal resembles me. You might remember Scholastic Book Fair if you’re from DPS. DPS used to host the said fair at every Parents-Teachers Meeting. I used to buy either puzzles or Geronimo Stilton books.
Over the years, however, my interest in reading books has waned. One of the main reasons was the school itself. I know bad association might have played a role in destroying any interest in reading reading.
The school forces you to abandon your childhood. It shoves you into the world of consumerist mindless robots. As if going through a personal tragedy and bullying wasn’t hard enough for me.
One such reason was when school forcibly spoon-feeds you with books that you’ll never read again. In class 9th, we had three men in a boat, and I didn’t care much for it because I felt reading it was a chore. You still have to read it anyway because your grades depend on it.
The school expects you to speak English on campus, even though most conversations are in Hindi. They tell you to read books and newspapers. Sadly, nobody has time for that since coaching classes and tuitions are busy tormenting us. Then they wonder why most people struggle with speaking English.
Let me ask you something? How many of you have learned English in either school or through novels? I sure did not. I’ve learned English through Hollywood, video games, or conversations.
It’s funny because English is the most practical subject in an impractical education system. If you’re learned the language outside of school, there’s something wrong with our education system.
It’s also worth noting that I can’t make any imagination through staring at words. That’s one reason why I don’t like novels. They’re almost entirely words with no pictures. However, I can read comics or manga. I find them entertaining, not because it has illustrations. It also makes you feel the intensity of an event or arc.
For instance, I find Attack on Titan’s War of the Paradis Arc entertaining. It’s the last arc of the manga, and the battles are climatic and violent. I also remember Uzumaki by Junji Ito. The story revolves around a town losing its mind because it is obsessed with spiral objects.
I’ll still choose mangas, comics, graphic novels over novels because of their illustrations. Furthermore, it’s entertaining.
Sometimes when I argued with my sister, I retaliated by tearing her Twilight books. That move only makes the argument much worse. My hatred for reading is so deep-rooted that I have read the novels in only single digits.
The ones that I’ve read were
1. Watchmen,
2. The Alchemist,
3. Five-Point Someone, and
4. Adultery.
I prefer movies or YouTube videos to understand more about the novel-created worlds like 1984, All Quiet on the Western Front, Harry Potter, and any Steven King stories.
Ironically I don’t like reading, yet I like writing articles. In this fast-paced content consumption, it’s hard to read books anymore. Maybe in the future, if I try to invest my time in reading, who knows, I could make a difference in this world.
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The Chernobyl in School and College
In every phase of my life, I have had a fair share of experiences of a toxic environment. From my school days to college life, I dealt with grown-up children who had engrained fifteen minutes of fame in their heads. They think that they're somewhat important when in actuality, they're brats who can't see the difference between reality and fantasy.
My experiences of toxic relationships are equivocal. In other words, someone's amusement is another person's suffering. I thank my school for giving me a glimpse while my resentful friends turned bullies physically and mentally abused me. Ironically, an institution, which was supposed to make me an adequate member of society, has made me despise it.
My former friends treated me like an errand boy. I was their favorite clown. The jokes they made were at my expense. I remember one when they called me their servant. They used me like discardable tissue paper. They took advantage of my tragedy and my loyalty as if those things were nothing more than toys.
It's not just students who are involved. Teachers in my school are either useless or would partake in the bullying. I remember back in Eight Grade when my art teacher grabbed my neck because I was trying to find a seat. The brass wouldn't bother to take action. They'll either scoff it off or would reprimand me for wasting their time when they're gossiping with their colleagues.
But the moment I retaliated against any bully or teacher, that's when they'll draw the line. Folks in my school are superbly egotistical and prideful. They get boastful about their achievements in academics and sports. They'll constantly flex their wealth and short-lived popularity. The moment you say anything to them, they'll gaslight you, or at worst, they'll get aggressive.
Once my senior took off my glasses by force in the basketball field for giggling. If I had my way, I would have beaten the ever-loving hell out of him, but my family raised me better. Yeah, in most cases, I let go because I know I'll lose the fight. However, there were instances where I reached my breaking point and snapped. Almost the entirety of the outcomes doesn't have happy endings. So I suffered through it until graduation came.
Although school ended, its mark still tormented my mind as someone tied barbed wires around it. However, my college gave me a breath of fresh air. I met a few encouraging people who would accept me despite my behavior and past.
However, my college life wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. My college is more like a pseudo-Ivy League University, and it's pretty expensive. I don't mind my college being expensive with its lifestyle. It just becomes very toxic and suffocating, as if we're living in Donald Trump's house.
My college is also a magnet for potential bad actors. In other words, some students are not only troublemakers, but they can make everyone's life a living hell. Fights break out anytime and anywhere as if we're playing a battle royale game. The reasons are mostly trivial.
I clearly remember the violence that broke out two years ago over a parking space. It not only made it into headlines, but it highlights how people can escalate things just because they couldn't keep their ego, pride, and entitlement in check.
Some of these people sadly entered into my life. I remember this one kid who has made my examination leaves about his inability to put his effort into studying. He constantly tells me to teach him the subjects that are taught better on YouTube. When I raise some concerns about his over-dependent behavior, he replies that I should "share my knowledge to others."
In reality, he wants someone to help him pass the exams. It was a grueling experience. At times, we end up arguing with each other. Other times, I had to deal with his unique erratic behavior, which is notably draining. I remember another kid who made me write his research papers, projects, thesis, and many more.
I don't mind teaching people and doing their work. But when you make me do your work and then act all high and mighty about it, that's what irks me. These two guys barely do their work, and at the same, they talk and do things as if they're some VIPs. They're just entitled brats wallowing in their self-importance.
Maybe they didn't get the reality check that the world doesn't revolve around them. Unfortunately, things don't work like that. I admit it my college has an environment, which is leagues better than that of my school. It doesn't mean it's not toxic. I've seen people being proud of things their parents own. It's not like I have any hands of power to change themselves. It's their choice, and I intend to stay away from their choices and affairs.
I am no saint. But thankfully, my experiences with school and colleges made me a better person.
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Here's the link of my personal story with Anime.
Link: https://livewire.thewire.in/author/anish-bala/
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This article is for weebs and otakus who live in India.
https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2021/02/the-war-on-anime-in-india/
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My Arty Plot: An Inherited Trait
Now, this is something I've inherited from my school. I used to draw when I was in class 4th. I even joined an art club as well as a private art class. But, the teachers in the art class were just too advanced for my level, and they're not good behavior-wise. So I left. So when reality starts biting me in the face, I'd lost all my interest in art. Not to mention, the last time I invested in art was in 8th Class. And that too was because of the necessity and not on interests (Thanks school for enforcing it).
Fast forward to Class 12th, my history teacher (Yes, I took arts. Sue me) gave an external assignment. The history subject has three books explaining three major eras (ancient, medieval, and modern India). The said assignment divided my section into three groups based on roll calls. (Back then, the arts section had the strength of 20 or 22)
I wanted to opt for the Partition of India because it was modern history and, I was strong in the chapter. Unfortunately, my group wanted to choose the Buddha chapter. So I had to relent and choose the Buddha chapter which, later became my best choice.
Now I don't think the chapter is terrible. Sure it was interesting. It's just that I'm not strong in the chapter. And the last time I gave my project, I admit it was terrible. My history teacher chewed me out for that because I used sketch pens to write my assignment. So to impress her this time, I browsed the internet to know more about Buddha.
And wouldn't you know it, I found a Buddha manga. It was drawn by the legendary Japanese artist Osamu Tezuka. He was the "Father of Manga" as well as the Japanese equivalent of Walt Disney. Thanks to the manga, I was able to draw some Buddha sketches. Even the external teacher found it intriguing. He gave my group good marks for the project because everyone participated, and their contributions were fantastic. Albeit one of my sketches looked like Late Milkha Singh running in the Movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Unfortunately, none of my sketches are with me since we have to submit the projects. I still regret it to this day because I felt I should've taken some pictures.
Since it was 12th grade, I didn't have time to draw anything because I was busy with my Psychology retests, pre-boards, and eventually the boards. When all of that ended, I focused on my CLAT exams and my college admissions. So I barely had any time to draw. So when my Aunt from the US bought The Last of Us, I invested myself in playing this game. Long story short, it was a nostalgic fest because while playing the game, it reminded me of the waning days of my school.
So when I read its comic, "The Last of Us: American Dreams." It compelled me to draw Ellie, one of the main characters of the comic and the game. The Ellie drawings were the first drawings I made post-school. And the day I drew those, I got a call from college accepting my admission. So it compelled me to draw more during my college years.
During the pandemic era, I've been using my drawings to publish my articles on Youth Ki Awaaz, LiveWire (The Wire's Editorial), TOI's Readers' Blogs, Tumblr, Medium, and so on. The aim was to give my drawing chops the recognition it deserves. And I'm still drawing, not only to publish alongside my articles but to kill my time in this dreaded pandemic.
I know my habit of drawing (and writing) won't last long when my college ends (my college is ending soon). After that, it's the real world facing time. But yeah, if I managed to have enough time to vent out my stress and frustration in this competitive time, I'll try to draw (Somehow).
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An Emotional Ballad with Death Stranding
In any form of entertainment, a medium plays a benevolent role in creating an emotional impact on a person. For bookworms, it's Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. The sitcom guys would fall for FRIENDS. The folks at sports simp for cricket or soccer. The majority of the gamer demographic would choose either Call of Duty or Fortnite.
The one game that comes to my mind is Death Stranding. I must admit that the game has had a tremendous impact on my emotional state for the past few years. My connection to this game is very perplexing yet very intriguing. Not everyone I know would fathom the Hideo Kojima game because of the mixed reviews when it launched in November 2019.
My interest in this game was evoked in 2016 when the trailer came out during my final months of school. Back then, I was playing Metal Gear Solid V (Another Kojima Game) religiously. The trailer showed naked Norman Reedus holding a baby with a digital umbilical cord.
The trailer also showed a bevy of dead whales, which compelled me to look into Cetacean Stranding.
The trailer was very eerie, but it made me invest myself more in the game. Because the game's trailer comes out every year, I had to wait to know more about the game. That was until 2019 when Kojima Productions announced the launch date.
When it finally launched, people had mixed reactions. The biggest reason why people were so irked was that it was an Amazon Delivery-cum-hiking simulator. And like The Last of Us Part 2, the horde review bombed the game.
I didn't get my hands on the game until New Year 2020. The reason being my college semester exams were being a pain in my butt. In the meantime, I was listening to the soundtrack of the game. I must say, I instantly liked it.
Low Roar was the heart and soul of Death Stranding's music. Their songs are so soothing that they made my studies and walking more worthwhile. I even cried in some of their songs when I listen to it like The Machine, Tonight Tonight Tonight, and Breath In.
Before the game's launch, I only knew 2 Low Roar Songs. Those are I'll Keep Coming and Easy Way Out. Howbeit, when the game came out, I listened to all of their albums which helped me during the exams.
So when I finally got the game in New Year 2020, I finished the story within five days. I have to admit, the story was good. The themes of connecting a divided America resonates with the current socio-political landscape. I also liked the acting too especially from Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, and Tommy Earl Jenkins.
I almost cried when Tommy Earl Jenkins's character Die Hardman broke down at the end of the game. It shows that Kojima sure has good taste with his actors and actresses.
Remember when I said the game was an Amazon delivery-cum-hiking simulator? That's where my gripe begins. Not to be completely unfair, the game is soothing when it's on flat terrain. But when it's high-altitude or watery terrain, that's when I start screaming.
Those terrains are unforgiving, and it plays a colossal role in ruining my deliveries. Even if I'm using vehicles, it has the proficiency to destroy my deliveries. And my rides with it.
To add more insult to injury, the game's antagonists like the BTs. They are ghosts but aggravating, and Mules, who are NPCs but a nightmare.
Even the game's weather plays its part as Time Fall, which is a time-inducing rainfall. It will play a huge role in ruining my cargo and my short-tempered mood. While living up to its name, it can also decimate my vehicles.
Nine months and a hundred and sixty hours of gameplay later, regardless of all the problems, Death Stranding was the first game I've completed in a hundred percent progression. I even got my platinum trophy on my PlayStation Achievements Section. Although it has no impact on the real world, it did give me a sense of personal pride.
After completing the game, I've decided to do something for the community. Since Death Stranding allows players to interact with others' objects despite not interacting with themselves, it does send a strong message about connection.
Anyway, I've built the roads using my resources so that other people would have it easier when they're making deliveries. I've also built bridges, postboxes, weather posts, and ziplines to make their journeys a lot better. It's because of them, I've got a Platinum Trophy. Helping them was the least I could do.
In recent times, people resemble Death Stranding with the Covid Era. The game and the Covid Era depict a world where it forces people to live in their homes and barely leave their houses. That is why people began to reappreciate the game.
When I got the game, it was two months before the Covid Lockdown was declared. The game launched before Covid even was a thing. It was the reason why I was emotionally attached to the game because, better or worse, it made my Lockdown Life more bearable. I hope the Director's Cut Edition brings more content and rectifies the mistakes made in the game.
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The Anime Tenenbaums
The former East Germans still have the sense of nostalgia of stability in the now capitalist unified Germany. We also feel the same thing. In my case, things were much simpler when I was a kid. I get to enjoy a lot of shows, some of which were anime.
Anime and I go a long way back. My relationship with anime is even older than that of Star Wars and Video Games. It was 2005 when my childhood was at its peak. I joined my new school back then. The cartoons and anime shows aired in India were great. We used to watch cartoons Oswald, Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Lab, Spongebob Squarepants, etc. These shows, however, hold no candle to the anime shows like Dragon Ball Z, Kochikame, Digimon, Pokemon, Doremon, Shin Chan, etc.
But the anime my classmates and I knew and loved was Beyblade. It was like a fidget spinner before it was cool (Thank god, they're dead). Imagine asking your parents to buy those Beyblade tops. It'll be like asking the Kohinoor diamond from the Brits. Sure there were other anime shows with popular merchandise like Bakugan and Yuh-Gi-Oh but, Beyblade will always be my favorite. The anime itself was great because of the fight scenes, story, and characters.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. All American cartoons and anime shows got replaced with sub-par animated series made in India like Chota Bheem and Motu Patlu. These shows are just cheap Pop-Eye the Sailor where instead of getting strength by eating spinach, you get the same thing by eating sweets and samosas.
My school also started to become a hellhole for me with all the constant bullying. The so-called "mature kids" often look down on anime and video games. So I had to stop watching anime out of peer pressure. Hypocritical, isn't it? They spend hours watching sitcoms on their streaming shows, yet they have the nerve to comment on someone else's interest.
By the time I've reached 11th grade, I've decided to ignore what other people had to say. Yeah, once I got over the "What will people say?" phase. Lucky Star and The Melancholy of Harumi Suzumiya were the first anime shows I've completed. Kyoto Animations made those two shows. The same animation studio suffered an arson attack almost two years ago. I also became edgy in that same period. I used to make edgy jokes about sensitive subject matter. Google Plus was active back then, so I made anti-anime memes to piss off the Weeaboos and Otakus. Guess I got too much Filthy Frank in my blood.
Well, it didn't last long, unfortunately. My edgy behavior started taking a toll on me, and I was about to graduate from school. So I quit Google Plus and started focusing on getting admission in college. When that ended, I started watching anime for real. My first anime in college was Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. The anime was mature with its story and characters. At the same time, I bought my Netflix Subscription, and I started watching anime from there. Netflix sure has good taste when publishing their anime shows like Violet Evergarden and Devilman Crybaby. Thanks to Netflix, I was able to consume more anime content.
I've also started drawing anime characters because of my love for anime. I even wrote articles to pay homage to my fondness for anime. At the same time, I also griped how my country has a problem with anime while promoting sub-par Bollywood movies. My articles also include some of my drawings.
When this pandemic began, it forced everyone to stay at home. With a lot of free time in my hands, I started watching anime shows that I have interests in like, the 4th Season of Attack on Titan, which has subverted expectations and a great soundtrack. Other anime shows like My Hero Academia, Kill La Kill, Gurren Lagen, Konusuba, Wonder Egg Priority, Kakegurui, and so on were great shows that I've enjoyed.
I have also watched the anime short of Blade Runner 2049, which brings the reminiscence of both Akira and Blade Runner. The Matrix franchise also had its anime shorts known as The Animatrix. So did Batman with the anime series known as Batman: Gotham Knight. And now the Star Wars franchise is finally getting its anime treatment known as Star Wars Vision. It's funny that anime has more respect for pop culture more than Hollywood.
I know some people will have issues with anime. They often compare it with hentai, which is the pornography version of anime. Or they compare it with other cartoons. In that end, I can only say that everyone has different tastes. And, nobody has a right to change that. Unfortunately, the internet does not see it that way. The best course of action to deal with such people is to avoid them. And if they don't leave you alone, take necessary legal action.
I think this quote is gravely misunderstood by the masses, especially on Twitter. When Netflix's movie "Cuties" was mauled online for their sexualization of children, people on Twitter started blaming anime as well. People on Twitter points out anime's sexualization of children in their shows or movie. Whether it's legally and morally right to sexualize kids on anime is heavily debated. YouTuber MoistCritical debunks the argument made by people on Twitter. He stated that comparing something drawn and animated with a movie that used real-life children to commit sexual acts is outrageous. He called out Twitter being an absolute cesspool for comparing fiction with reality.
Putting that aside, we must not forget that we're dealing with a global pandemic. And for us students, we're dealing with a hypertoxic competition which makes our lives look like David Fincher's movie Seven. It's only a matter of time when I graduate from college, and I fear that the aftermath will be uncertain. I don't know what I'm going to do. There are times when things become unbearable for me to handle. So I rely on anime and video games to comfort myself in the worst of times. Of course, we have to face reality eventually. But facing reality doesn't mean we should abandon our hobbies entirely. It's better to cherish and embrace those moments we have with our hobbies. In my case, I should enjoy what I have with anime.
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