Books?

So apparently there exists people who are proud of the fact that they don't read. I have difficulty understanding something like this because so much of human culture is tied up in our literature.

There are people who hear the words "Big Brother" and think of a crappy television show rather than George Orwell's 1984 ^AMZN. Reading exercises our imaginations, a well written story can steal entire days from our lives and be even more emotionally stirring than mere television. Particularly the type of television programmes that I've been seeing lately. Sure, CSI can have engrossing stories and moving characters, but there isn't nearly as much room for imagination in a medium like T.V.

A good book can trigger my imagination so strongly that I find myself feeling that I know the characters. I can identify so strongly with each protagonist that I find myself imagining completely tangent story lines within the realm of the tale. I've never felt that connection with television. Possibly because the screen acts as a barrier; there's that fourth wall separating me from the story. I can accept the show for what it is, but I can't get as emotionally invested in the production.