GRE essay: In the age of television, reading books is not as important as it once

[shishirkashyap]

"In the age of television, reading books is not as important as it once was. People can learn as much by watching television as they can by reading books."

John Logie Baird would not have imagined that his invention of the television would become as popular as to threaten the very existence of books. Today the television is a pandora’s box. It is the magician’s hat from which can be obtained just about information possible. There is a plethora of channels which cover a wide range of subjects from religion to entertainment to fashion. And that is the reason for the decline of the reading habit of the average citizen.
Only a few decades ago when the popularity or the affordability of the television was much less ,the reading was the only way to obtain information . Books on every subject were written and read. The morning newspaper was an addiction without which the day would not start. However todat the situation has changed.
The habit of reading has waned due to the advent of television with its numerous channels.
Children watch “TV” for almost as much time as they can . People get their daily dose of news from the prime time news channels. Newspaper circulations haven’t seen the same rise as the rise in the population.
Although it is true that TV has led to decrease in the reading habits. Still there are areas where the books are the only source of information, textbook knowledge and in particular specialized studies still require the reading of books. Television has surely led to the reduction in reading habit but only to a certain extent.
We can thus conclude that television has reduced the importance of reading but reading is still essential in many areas and all information cannot be obtained from television

[nanucbe]

I think there is some basic mistake. TV can never replace reading. Books may be replaced by e-books but never by TV.

Tv can only create interest and can never go into details. Many have become addicts to the H channel and "animal" or geo channel. But only books can fill in all details required.
Reading is misunderstood. It is different from 'study'.
Nanucbe
_________________
Nosle