While having lunch, I pondered on science and reading. Many famous and great scientists are known to be avid readers. It’s common to see them sharing on social media the books they have recently read or books they’re reading while commuting. These books range from scientific textbooks, novels, and even the latest trends in science, such as quantum information, philosophy, and other areas that require deep contemplation. Of course, there may be excellent researchers who are not avid readers, and there may be researchers who read a lot but are not particularly productive. However, researchers who appear to read extensively often engage in interdisciplinary research and seem to quickly catch up with cutting-edge research even when they move into research areas outside their original field of expertise.
On the other hand, I am not an avid reader of books, but I do enjoy reading manga. I don’t read them to gain knowledge, but because I enjoy them, I tend to read them compulsively. Unfortunately, books, whether general or specialized, are generally more intellectually stimulating than manga. Although there are informative manga that deal with specific fields, to gain a more in-depth understanding, reading specialized books is often necessary.
Despite spending a similar amount of time on reading, I worry that the difference between reading books and manga might impact productivity and research capabilities. During brief breaks in our daily lives, by increasing our knowledge in our respective fields or engaging in deeper contemplation, we can achieve high research results.
As a researcher, of course, I also want to achieve better research results and publish more papers. However, reading manga is now a part of my life that I can’t give up. While reading manga is an essential part of my life, I also recognize that reading more books would be beneficial for my research. I have come to terms with this and have decided to make a conscious effort to increase the time I spend reading books separate from my manga reading time.
It’s now spring, and with the warm weather comes a surge of motivation and determination to accomplish new goals. However, we tend to lose our drive by summer. This time, I want to make sure I remember to keep my commitment to reading more books. I will try my best to make reading a part of my daily routine and use it as an opportunity to improve my research ability.
In conclusion, reading books is essential for researchers to gain a more in-depth understanding of their respective fields and enhance their research ability. I should remember to maintain my motivation and dedication to reach our goals, no matter how challenging they may seem.
