Nowadays stories are thought of as entertainment, but this was not always the case. Stories used to be used almost strictly for getting a point across, allegories, and propaganda, as well as teaching children life lessons or morals are a few examples of how stories were used. You may object and say that stories are still used that way today, and yes, some are, but you have to admit, when you think of a story, you think of entertainment. You used to read a story to learn something, or be taught something, but now we just read to be entertained.
Just because stories are now thought of as only entertainment and having no effect on a person's thoughts, actions, or deeds, does not mean that they are passive. Just because we have changed our perception of stories doesn't mean that they have stopped doing what they used to do. Whether you like it or not, when you read or listen to a story you are coming in contact with another person's view of the world and you won't be able to get away completely unchanged. You are constantly being changed and shaped by the world around you, and stories are by no means an exception.
So Go read a book, but remember that what you read shapes who you are.
If you are what you read, I only want to read the good books.
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