cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/3463478
What clicked and made you have a different mindset? How long did it take to start changing and how long was the transformation? Did it last or is it an ongoing back and forth between your old self? I want to know your transformation and success.
Any kind of change, big or small. Anything from weight loss, world view, personality shift, major life change, single change like stopped smoking or drinking soda to starting exercising or going back to school. I want to hear how people’s life were a bit or a lot better through reading and your progress.
TIA 🙏
House of the Scorpion
I read it in high school when I was rather conservative and it gave me a different perspective on politics and taught me the nature of how the environment you grow up in affects your personal biases. I won’t go into details to avoid spoilers but I will say it’s a sci fi set in the not too distant future about a boy who is born in a cartel in a border nation that formed between the United States and Mexico. It opened my own perspective about culture shock and the blinders that one can have when raised in an environment that protects you from outside information. I feel this book was part of how I deprogrammed myself while I was being raised in the Mormon church. I can relate to much of what the protagonist went through finding out that most of the world might not have a very positive view of the group you grew up in and were taught to embrace. It’s a story about processing hard truths and learning from them. It’s also about finding your own identity in an environment that expects you to be something you don’t want to be.
Wow, that sounds great! I can’t say I fully relate, but I grew up in a somewhat homophobic area and I went through the slow realization of finding out that gays are normal people and not trying to “convert” anyone. I’ll add House of the Scorpion to my read list, thanks for sharing!
More than changed, I’d say shaped: the foundation trilogy by Asimov. In particular the first book.
I started reading Asimov when I was 10-11, and it showed me the power of science and knowledge. It shaped my view of the world. All my life, I have pursued knowledge, because I believe that only with understanding we can build a better future. I also believe in education as a pillar of society, and I practice and encourage life long learning.
Additionally, the figure of Harry Seldon sacrificing himself for a greater good was the first atheist martyr I encountered. In itself, the existence of such a figure was a revelation.
I can confidently say that without those books, my whole life would have been very different.
