The Reader, The Writer, The Informed and The Library

Ambrose Ehirim
May 17, 2009






I had held an open-minded discourse with a friend and colleague of mine, Austen Oghuma, on a variety of issues regarding books, library, reading and writing, and writing stands alone when it comes to the way most of us think. It all began from David Ejoor's biased and unintelligible interview that got internet crackpots outraged.

But I had reasoned Ejoor does not deserve the attention given him, so far, and I have kept my word that Ejoor is a midget in the history books of the Nigeria crisis and as far as I am concerned he has no place in that fabricated country's history. Well the point I am trying to make here is when I asked Oghuma where one can purchase Ejoor's "Reminiscence" he said probably in Nigeria but I doubt if the book is still around any shelf. Besides, most of the books in Nigeria are poorly produced and published.

We don't write and we don't keep archives which is why our history will one day vanish. On the other hand, it is absolutely why our democracy will keep to be fledgling until eternity and the following comments are vivid accounts why a democracy had thrived:

"A popular government without a popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy, or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."

James Madison

Libraries are the wardrobes of literature, whence men, properly informed may bring forth something for ornament, much for curiosity, and more for use."

William Dyer (1636 -- 1696)

"There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the Earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration."

Andrew Carnegie

"A democratic society depends upon informed and educated citizenry. Information is the currency of democracy."

Thomas Jefferson

"I received the fundamentals of my education in school, but that was not enough. My real education, the superstructure, I got out of the public library. For an impoverished child whose family could not afford to buy books, the library was the open door to wonder and achievement, and I can never be sufficiently grateful that I had the wit to change through that door and make the most of it. Now, when I read constantly about the way in which library funds are being cut and cut, I can only think that the door is closing and that American society has found one more way to destroy itself."

Isaac Asimov, New York: Doubleday, 1994

Democracy works if applied on the basis of the above comments and I strongly believe in letters, and I encourage that as we learn each day that we live. Now, let me hear from you, where, how and when you write and which is your favorite and why writing is a powerful weapon.

Comments

Kelly said…
I have been following your blog for quite some time now and I greatly enjoy it. There are many blogs out there that have no clue what blogging is all about. Just a few is as insightful as yours For me, I read anywhere, in the bus, the coffee shop the restroom, my bedroom... just anywhere. Thanks.
Adanna said…
For me, there's safety in numbers; I do so much more than just writing--and that prevents me from getting all wrapped up in one identity cloak.

But for record, during three hours a day, I offically consider myself a writer.
Ardis said…
To me, I think real writers are the ones who write because they love it, and don't confuse that with the people who write angrily. Those are wackos.
LRD said…
Even if you don't go the whole library hog, having a room with wall or too full of built in bookshelves is a wonderful thing. The room I'm typing this is a combined office/library. It's just a lonely space to be in and that's where I write.
Su Papra said…
I study, read and write everywhere even in my kitchen.
big25g said…
Waazzzuuup LA? You guys rock!
Anonymous said…
How about play? One can't be writing and you know what they say...all work and no play... you do the math.
Preuss said…
Writing is not work in itself, it is pleasure when you love what you are doing and it comes out better that way. I write everywhere including in my dreams.
Kenny said…
I am in the office most of the day. My office is my library where I read, study and write.
Taylor said…
Writing is the most beautiful thing to whom I have given my love.
Brandon said…
Writing is fun when all the characters you present are entirely imaginary in a work of fiction. I write fiction and I love it. I write in our little study in the basement.
Ebere said…
Ambrose dianyi, deme, deme o!
Taiana said…
I am writing a book and also having delusions and dreams of getting it published. Any help?
Unknown said…
Reading has always been a pleasure. It puts me to sleep.
Troy said…
I'm midway reading Scott Turow's "Presumed Innocent." So far so good.
Jesse said…
My weekend at a glance:

Soccer match

minor league baseball

Clean up

Read and write
Unknown said…
I read in the bus. I read in the train. I read in the restaurant. I read in the library and I read basically everywhere. I enjoy reading.
Alex said…
Until I get something published I am not really a writer.
Ambrose Ehirim said…
Oh, boy! This is amazing. Each day we live, we learn. Yes, we do. Right now I'm trying to digest this book sent to me by Stella I ran into tweeting and the book seems to be making sense. The title of the book is "I AM God: Here's My Message." The book is anonymously written on behalf of God and how mankind could get better without all the tragedies we've encountered on Earth.

The book is, however, a source of inspiration by dedicating it to Tom Edison "for greatly reducing fear by mechanically enlightening the Earth and for demonstarting the massive amount of intestinal fortitude that it truly takes to change the the entire world for the better and forever;" to the two Harriets, Harriet Tubman and Harriet Elizabeth Beecher Stowe "for their unyielding courage and understanding the fundamental truth about the light [God} provides;" to Albert Einstein "for breaking through the limiting, prejidiced interpretations of your fellow scientists and for being the first individual during this period of evolution to fully demonstrate what an average being could accomplish;" to Martin Luther King "for carrying forth the human conscience that I designed to connect all living creatures to each other and for being the opnly other person to truly understand the real importance of Gandhi's life mission;" to Mother Theresa "for the example you put forth by caring for the hungry, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers and all those who felt unwanted, unloved and uncared for throughout society, people who have become a burden and are shunned by everyone;" and to Mohandas Mahatma Gandhi "for practicing, perfecting and proliferating the Seven Blessings and by then promoting my most important principle of nonviolence and truth."

The book talks about a whole lot of stuff from why the world is failing, spirituality and religion, the meaning of life, universal truth of goodnes to utopia is realizable.

More to come on this. Stay tuned.
Ambrose Ehirim said…
I will be coming to all your coments. A little bit busy and thanks.
Rosco said…
This is interesting!
Denise said…
I hate to jump in. What God was this all about in a book written by an anonymous?
DUBMASTER said…
Well, this is great but in my own spare time, I'm busy in the recording studio mixing sounds. I read and write in between production and making beats. That's cool.
Anonymous said…
A world without letters and archives is a lost world.
Christine said…
Writing is a very powerful weapon which neutralizes many rants notably from the writings and speeches of Obama to change how politics is played in Washington which is the reason why so many of us support him. Writing is the only weapon that can change the world and Obama seems to be on the right track and we will always support him.

In my own case, I write when I am in a good mood and it feels good when I write to tell my little story.
Wayne Powers said…
I love writing and as a young comedy writer, writing opened up my eyes to the world and I consider Chris Rock, David Letterman and Bill Cosby my biggest inspirations.
Anonymous said…
The quote by Isaac Asimov not only influenced the underprivileged, it also influenced my life.
George said…
"Information is the currency of democracy." I like that!
Ambrose Ehirim said…
As I said, this book of God "I AM GOD" anonymously written is giving me some vibrations and methink the vibe is just good. It deals with doing the right thing through so many ways like things that can improve ones life, attaining the spiritual plane, improving the lives of those you care for and using the entire message from the book to transcend ones life.

On Part Two on blessings and being grateful, he said "the starting point of your life, everyday, first thing in the morning, throughout your day and at bedtime is to understand, recognize and appreciate your blessings.

It continues to encourage learning fast to turn "every negative into a positive which is really just the way to look at the negative" by turning it around.

What it all means is always be positive and be good at all times even though the world we live in is ugly.
Anonymous said…
Is this "I am God" book a kind of new church that you go to or something?
Adanna said…
I thought I was the only one that noticed this oh. Ambrose has joined a church or maybe a cult.