I'm almost sure you will remember "KYLE XY", the popular TV series that took to the airwaves in the year 2006.

我幾乎可以肯定，你們都會記得 2006 年上映的熱門電視影集《天賜》。

The lead actor was Matt Dallas.

主演是馬特·達拉斯。

It was mainly about a brilliant kid who stayed in an incubation tank that had all the attributes of a womb for years.

影集主要是關於一個多年居住在具備子宮所有特質孵化槽中的聰明孩子。

He could memorize the content of a book, word for word, by merely flipping through its pages. 

他可以隨意翻閱任何一本書，就一字不漏地記住所有內容。

Although ABC cancelled the show somewhat prematurely, the protagonist's supernatural reading abilities inspired its mostly-teenage audience, who wished they possessed them.

儘管美國廣播公司在某種程度上過早地取消了該劇，但主角超自然的閱讀能力激發以青少年為主的觀眾，他們大多希望自己擁有這項能力。

However, for many people, reading could be a daunting chore. 

然而對許多人來說，閱讀可能是令人生畏的差事。

They'd rather spend time on activities that don't require as much mental effort.

他們寧可把時間花在不需要那麼多精力的活動上。

For instance, me and millions of viewers followed the blockbuster series "Game of Thrones",

舉例而言，我和數百萬名觀眾都關注了熱門影集《權力的遊戲》，

but very few know that the movie was a book adaptation, and even fewer people would've read the book.

但是極少人知道這部電影是由書籍改編，更少有人讀過這本書。

But why is this so?

但為什麼會這樣呢？

Why would some folks rather watch TV or mindlessly scroll through their phones instead of reading for a few minutes?

為什麼有些人寧願看電視或盲目地滑手機，而不是閱讀幾分鐘？

In 2017, an estimated 24% of adult Americans didn't read any part of a book, according to a 2018 study.

根據一份 2018 的研究指出，2017 年估計有 24% 的成年美國人沒有閱讀過書籍的任何一部分。

As surprising as this statistic is, before we get into the reasons why people don't read, let's look at some of the benefits of reading.

儘管這一統計數字令人驚訝，在我們討論人們不閱讀的原因前，讓我們看看一些閱讀的好處。

The Benefits of Reading

閱讀的好處

Reading has been a very vital part of the human-race survival and existence; it's how humans transmit ideas and information.

閱讀一直都是人類生存和存在的極重要成份，它是人類傳遞思想與資訊的方式。

The cross-pollination of ideas extrapolated from reading widely is how we've been able to make advances in the fields of technology, medicine, and engineering.

從廣泛閱讀中推斷出的想法交叉傳播讓我們能夠在技術、醫學和工程領域取得進展。

We, indeed, have things easier now. 

我們現在的處境的確輕鬆多了。

Thanks to the advent of the web, we can now watch how-to videos rather than read to learn a particular topic.

多虧網際網路的進步，我們現在可以觀看指南影片而不是透過閱讀學習特定主題。

While this might seem OK and more accessible, it's of importance that we don't neglect the foundation on which these things we enjoy were built on.

雖然這看似無礙且更容易取得，我們不該忽略一個很重要的問題：我們享受的事物所建構的基礎。

Reading is not the only way of acquiring knowledge.

閱讀不是獲取知識的唯一途徑。

However, it remains highly relevant. 

然而它仍具有高度相關性。

Here are some benefits of reading.

以下是閱讀的一些好處。

Increases Your Vocabulary

提升你的詞彙量

Have you ever had a problem with expressing yourself with the right words?

你是否有過難以用正確語言表達自己想法的困境？

Reading can go a long way in ensuring that you build up a wide range of vocabulary which you can use in expressing yourself every day.

閱讀可以很大程度地確保你建立廣泛的詞彙，可以每天用以自我表達。

A poll conducted in the year 2019 by Cengage showed that 69% of employers are more likely to hire people with the ability to communicate effectively. 

聖智公司在 2019 年進行的一項調查顯示，69% 的僱主更傾向於僱用具備有效溝通能力的應徵者。

Nobody wants an employee who wouldn't have the right words to say at the right time or who wouldn't have the right words at all.

沒有人想要一個在正確時機正確說話或是根本無法正確用詞的員工。

New words are continually added to the dictionary, and the surest way to get acquainted with words as they evolve is to read books.

新詞不斷地被添加到字典中，而熟悉詞語演變最可靠的方法就是閱讀書籍。

Reading is the best way to increase your exposure to new words. 

閱讀是提升你接觸新詞機會的最好方式。

You won't learn most of the new terms from shows and sitcoms. 

你不會從影集和情境喜劇中學到多數的新術語。

Authors are usually more detailed in the use of words than entertainers.

作家在遣詞用字上通常比娛樂界人士更詳盡。

It Stimulates Your Mind and Improves Your Mental Health 

它刺激你的思想、改善你的心理健康

Reading helps prevent cognitive decline that can be age-related. 

閱讀有助於防止可能與年齡相關的認知能力下降。

Although research has yet to prove that reading can help combat diseases like Alzheimer's, 

儘管研究還沒有證明閱讀可以幫助對抗像阿茲海默症這樣的疾病，

studies have shown that older people who read will maintain and even improve their ability to remember things, preventing memory loss, which is associated with aging.

研究已經顯示，習慣閱讀的老年人將保持、甚至提高他們記住事情的能力，進而防止與老化相關的記憶喪失。

Your brain, just like a muscle, gets stronger and healthier the more you work it. 

你的大腦就像一塊肌肉一樣，會隨著鍛鍊變得更強壯、健康。

Activities like playing chess and doing puzzles engage the mind the way reading does. 

像是下棋和拼圖等活動能夠像閱讀一樣吸引人的注意力。

They're also sources of cognitive stimulus.

它們也是認知刺激的來源。

The National Institute on Aging has also recommended that reading books and magazines will go a long way in keeping your mind busy as you grow older. 

國家衛生研究院老年研究所也建議，閱讀書籍和雜誌將很大程度地讓你的思想在年齡增長的同時保持忙碌。

You wouldn't want your mind to become the devil's workshop or bored to death, would you?

你不會想讓你的頭腦成為萬惡之源或者無聊到死吧？

It Makes You More Empathic

它讓你更有同理心

Research shows that those who read fiction novels that navigate the lives of characters will show a heightened ability to relate and understand the feelings and beliefs of others.

研究顯示，那些閱讀描繪角色生活小說的人會展現出更高度理解和同情他人感受和信念的能力。

Reading can help you develop the needed empathy required in relating to people in pain or need.

閱讀可以幫助你發展與痛苦中人或有需要人相處時所需要的同理心。

You can't read about the genocide in Rwanda and not have a heart for the victims or read about wars and still feel it's OK to settle disputes using gruesome means.

你不可能在閱讀盧安達種族屠殺事件後，不對受害者展現慈悲心，或是閱讀戰爭相關故事後，還認為透過殘忍手段平息爭議是沒問題的。

Reading Can be Transformative

閱讀可以改變人

According to a growing body of researchers, reading transforms your mind and thoughts.

根據越來越多的研究人員指出，閱讀可以改變你的想法和思想。

Inspired by a book, many people have had their lives transformed and charted a new course. 

許多人都在一本書的啟發下，讓生活發生變化並展開新的道路。

"Gifted Hands" by Ben Carson so much changed my life and thoughts back in high school that I really wouldn't know how I would've coped without it.

班・卡森執筆的《天賦妙手》一書在我高中時改變我生活和思想之大，讓我不知道沒有它應該如何應對一切。

Reading Helps in Stress Reduction

閱讀有助於減少壓力

Now, this is important for some folks who think reading is stressful.

好了，這對認為閱讀有壓力的一些人來說，是很重要的。

In 2009, researchers carried out a study on the effects of humor, yoga, and reading on stress levels on students.

研究人員在 2009 年進行了一項幽默、瑜珈、閱讀對學生壓力值影響的研究。

The study discovered that about 25 to 30 minutes of reading lowered heart rate, blood pressure, and feelings of psychological distress in the same way that humor and yoga did.

該研究發現，閱讀約 25 到 30 分鐘就可以降低心率、血壓和心理壓力的感受，與幽默和瑜伽可達成的方式相同。

So, you see?

所以你了解了嗎？

It's not reading that's stressful, but your beliefs towards it.

讓你有壓力的不是閱讀，而是你對它的想法。

Reading Helps with Depression 

閱讀有助於抑鬱症治療

The rising cases of suicides and deaths from depression are pretty alarming.

自殺與抑鬱症死亡的案例不斷提升，令人相當震驚。

Reading fiction can help a depressed mind escape their troubled world into a world where they can feel safe and valued.

閱讀小說可以幫助抑鬱者逃離他們煩惱的世界，進入一個他們可以感到安全和受重視的領域。

And, if done continually, it can help them begin to see reasons as to why they can come out from every situation they're passing through.

如果持續地做，它可以幫助他們開始看見自己可以從經歷的每個情況中走出來的原因。

It lets you in on the ideas of others.

它讓你瞭解別人的想法

Having just an opinion on a subject is detrimental to any kind of meaningful growth. 

對於任何有意義的成長而言，在一個主題上只有單一意見是極有害的。

Ideas need to be collated from time past and present, and the pros and cons weighed in order to create something truly outstanding.

想法需要從過去以及現在的時間中整理出來，並且權衡利弊才能創造真正出色的東西。

This has been very important in the numerous breakthroughs we have made in various fields today.

這在人類現今於諸多領域中無數的突破上，一直都極為重要。

No idea is a waste, be it successful or not.

一個點子無論成功與否，都不是白費的。

Now you know why you should form the habit of reading and encourage the younger generation to do the same.

現在你知道你為什麼應該養成閱讀的習慣，並鼓勵年輕一代也這麼做。

Aside from the benefits listed above, encouraging youngsters to start reading rather than play video games all day helps them to build discipline.

除了上列的益處，鼓勵年輕人開始閱讀而不是成天打電玩可以幫助他們建構自律。

Building discipline early will help them navigate life better and form a foundation for enduring success.

及早建立自律會幫助他們更好地過生活並為持續的成功打下基礎。

So, how do you go about developing the habit of reading?

那麼，你該如何培養閱讀的習慣呢？

You can start by following the simple steps stated below.

你可以從遵循下列簡單步驟開始。

Change Your Mindset

改變你的心態

The belief that reading is stressful or difficult is one that hinders so many from taking up the habit.

認為閱讀是有壓力或困難的信念會阻礙許多人養成這個習慣。

But nothing could be further from the truth.

沒有什麼比這個更偏離事實了。

When you read something exceptional and come to realize the importance of books for learning and growth, you will find it not only enjoyable but also a form of stress release. 

當你讀到了不起的東西，並開始意識到書籍對於學習和成長的重要性，你會發現它不但令人享受也是種紓壓的形式。

However, to start, you must find something that genuinely interests you.

然而，你必須要找到你真正感興趣的東西才能開始。

Read Books that Interest You

閱讀你感興趣的書籍

A work of fiction will be a good start, or an inspirational non-fiction book that you can relate with, like the Ben Carson book I read years ago.

小說是個不錯的起點，或是能讓你產生共鳴、具啟發性的非小說類書籍，例如我幾年前閱讀的班・卡森書籍。

If the prospect of reading a book seems daunting, start with articles, blog posts, and other shorter forms that interest you.

如果閱讀一本書的想法讓你心生畏懼，那就從文章、部落格貼文或其它你感興趣的短文開始。

It just takes one excellent writing to make you fall in love with reading.

只需要一篇優秀的文章就能讓你愛上閱讀。

Read At Least 30 Minutes Every Day

每天至少閱讀 30 分鐘

Carve out time from your busy schedule to do some reading. 

從你繁忙的日程中，安排一點時間來閱讀。

As little as 30 minutes every day followed consistently will help build the habit over time.

每天只要堅持短短的 30 分鐘就能幫助你養成習慣。

And before you realize it, you could be reading as much as three books a month.

在你意識到之前，一個月可能會讀上多達 3 本書。

Carry a Book Everywhere You Go

走到哪裡都帶本書

While riding in a taxi, waiting in line at the airport, you can start reading and gainfully employ your waiting time.

搭乘計程車時、在機場排隊等候時，你可以開始閱讀並充費利用你等待的時間。

eBooks are now a thing, so transform your smartphone into a portable library and make it easier to carry your books around.

電子書現在也是流行的東西，所以把你的智慧型手機變成攜帶式圖書館吧，讓你更容易隨身攜帶書籍。

Now, let's look at some of the common reasons why people don't read.

現在讓我們看看一些人們不閱讀的常見原因。

No Time to Read

沒時間閱讀

Understandably, this is the most common reason⏤everyone is busy.

可以理解地，這是最常見的原因——每個人都很忙。

You have your work, household chores, parental responsibilities, and a million other things needing your attention. 

你有工作、家務、家長責任，以及其它無數件需要你關注的事情。

You also have just 24 hours for them each day.

而你每天只有 24 小時的時間。

Reading can be time-consuming, and some books have thousands of pages, requiring several months to finish.

閱讀可能很耗時，而有些書有數千頁、需要好幾個月才能完成。

So, why bother at all?

那麼，為什麼要白費力氣呢？

Reading Can be a Lot of Hard Work

閱讀可能是很艱鉅的工作

For a lot of people, reading feels like a lot of work, especially when the books are massive dictionary-looking adult books.

對很多人來說，閱讀感覺像大量的工作，尤其當這些書籍是巨大、看起來像字典的成人書籍時。

They get discouraged seeing the thousands of pages filled with brain-tasking words.

看到數千頁上寫滿費腦詞彙時，就會感到氣餒。

If It Has a Movie, then What's the Point?

如果它已經有點影翻拍，那閱讀的目的是什麼？

It used to be this, statistically speaking, books that have been adapted into motion pictures are most likely to get less attention after the motion picture has been released.

策略上而言，過去是這樣的狀況：被改編成電影的書籍可能在電影上影後，獲得較少的關注。

Most people would rather watch the episodes of "Game of Thrones" than pick up the books.

多數人都寧願觀看《權力的遊戲》影集也不願意拿起一本書。

Apparently, the movie is easier, more engaging, and more entertaining.

顯然地，電影更輕鬆、更吸引人，且更有娛樂性。

Nothing to Gain from Reading

閱讀無益

Another common excuse that people have for not reading is that they see it as a waste of time. 

人們不閱讀的另一個常見藉口是，他們認為它浪費時間。

They believe that they gain nothing from reading. 

他們相信閱讀無法讓他們有任何收穫。

To these people, the only benefits from books were when you read them in school to pass exams, graduate, and get a job.

對這些人而言，書本的唯一好處是當你在學校時，會閱讀它們來通過考試、畢業並找到工作。

Asides from that, they see no value in books.

除此以外，他們沒有看到書籍的任何價值。

Poor Concentration

注意力差

It's a known fact that people tend to get distracted easily.

一個眾所皆知的事實是，人們很容易分心。

And when you add the ubiquitous smartphones and other modern devices, it's not difficult to see why we have the attention span of a goldfish.

而加上無處不在的智慧型手機和其它現代設備，不難看出我們注意力跟金魚一樣短的原因。

For those with weak concentration, they will find it hard to immerse themselves completely in the reading experience. 

對集中力差的人來說，他們會發現自己很難完全沉浸在閱讀體驗中。

The stress and anxiety of day-to-day living can make your mind wander.

日常生活的壓力和焦慮可能讓你的思緒飄忽不定。

Therefore, it's natural to want to move on to other activities that don't require focused attention for long periods.

因此，你會很自然地要想轉而從事其它不需要長時間專注的活動。

Lack of Support in Childhood

童年時缺乏支持

My uncle taught literature, and his children grew up surrounded by an ocean of books by Shakespeare, Thomas Hardy, Ernest Hemingway, and others.

我叔叔是教文學的，所以他的小孩們是在莎士比亞、湯瑪士·哈代、厄尼斯特·海明威等文學巨人的書海中成長。

Having no source of entertainment other than classical English literature at an early age made them develop a life-long love affair with reading.

從年幼時期開始，除了經典英文文學作品之外沒有其它娛樂來源讓他們發展了終身對閱讀的愛。

People that don't read are usually from homes where parents didn't read and didn't promote it, either.

不讀書的人們，通常是來自父母不閱讀也不提倡閱讀的家庭。

But it doesn't have to be this way.

但它不一定非得這樣。

In conclusion, the foundation for all the progress we have today is all built on the knowledge found within the pages of books.

總而言之，我們今日所有進步的基礎都是建構在書頁中發現的知識。

So, it's safe to say reading is one activity you must learn to do if you want to get a head start in life. 

所以，如果你想在生活中取得先機，閱讀可以說是你必須學會的一項活動。

Even if you are not naturally inclined, make every effort to grow this habit.

即便你不是天生喜歡閱讀，也要盡一切努力養成這種習慣。

Most of the world's greatest leaders and successful business people have a large appetite for books.

世界上多數最偉大的領導人和成功商人都很喜歡閱讀。

It's reported that Bill Gates reads as much as 50 books in a year.

據報導，比爾・蓋茲一年中閱讀的書籍多達 50 本。

Warren Buffets reads 5 newspapers and over 500 pages of reports daily. 

股神巴菲特每天會閱讀 5 份報紙、超過 500 頁的報告。

And Mark Zuckerberg reads a book every 2 weeks.

而馬克・祖克柏每兩週會閱讀一本書。

So, who knows?

誰知道呢？

Reading could just be the secret pass to the billionaire club.

閱讀可能是你進入億萬富翁俱樂部的祕密通行證。

Thank you, guys, so much, for watching.

非常感謝各位的觀看。

If you enjoyed this video, give it a thumbs-up and share it with a friend.

如果你喜歡這部影片，請幫它點讚並與朋友分享。

Consider subscribing to this channel if you haven't already. 

如果你還沒有訂閱頻道的話，請考慮訂閱。

With that said, I'll see you in the next one.

說到這裡，我們下集影片中見吧！