Can’t believe I am saying this, “words can enlighten lives!” As a print journalist, I had become quite sceptical about power of the written word and its ability to change the mindset of the masses. I have been developing an aversion to reading books, magazines and anything which is not essential for my next day’s story. This scepticism was further fuelled by the flood of opinions I see everyday in newspapers and magazines; if every idiot in town has an opinion, why then I read anyone’s thoughts when they are not reading mine!
But it seems like just when the world is becoming hysterical about expressing its opinion on paper, on the airwaves and on the internet, I am suddenly a believer again. I read Freakonomics!
Is it stupid to say a simple book can change a life… Since just a few days ago, I had such scepticism about it, I have mustering all my courage to swallow my own words and say that, “words do have the power to influence people!” Provided those words come from a powerful voice with an authority in its subject. So the book Freakonomics did have a mesmerising effect on me, who until moments ago had no value of the dismal science of economics.
So today I solemnly take the oath to find the truth, behind numbers, data, statistics or whatever fact that is posed to me as the actual truth! I will not take things in their face value and try to see what hides behind them. But I wouldn’t venture into reading between lines, the way our beloved journalists do!
I should thank the book reading club in Bangalore which forced to read a book and present the thoughts. Shital Burman and Sandeep Moonka have taken pain to bring together all of us to discuss various books every fortnight. That's where i was told about this strange book on economics and i was hooked onto it.
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