Provided the world goes somewhat as it always has, my children will have to decide what to do with all the books I’ve accumulated over the years. It’s not only that I read a lot and have read a lot for years. It’s that when I began reading, all books were print books.

I began my career with the U.S. Foreign Service in 1989 and was stationed in various countries, retiring in 2004. All books were in print when I began my first assignment in Saudi Arabia, and a lot of heavy boxes followed me there. Since I didn’t have access to a public library, I bought enough print books through the mail to fill several more boxes while I was there and throughout my career.

In a sense, my career paralleled the development of wide internet use, including email, but even when I retired, most books were in print.

Now settled within walking distance of our public library, I continue to walk over and check out print books, as well as add library eBooks through my iPad. I also subscribe to several periodicals, most in print and digital format.

Looking around, however, I notice a lack of deep reading by many Americans. Yes, cell phones are a wonderful invention for keeping in touch, checking on products to buy, and finding quick information about whatever we want to know. It doesn’t require much thought, however, and it’s open to just about anybody, with few checks as to their credentials for what they present.

For our communities not only to flourish but simply to survive, we require knowledge. We are no more able to grow beyond mental babyhood if we depend on internet offerings than a child will grow into a healthy adult on a little pablum and a lot of junk food.

We cannot overcome the myriad problems that threaten us, from nuclear weapons to political lying, without hard thinking and a disciplined approach to taking in knowledge.

If you haven’t already, grow your mind through a bit of dedicated reading and mental roaming and deep thinking. Your country will thank you.