Here are some pros to reading music
1) you can write it
2) you can read other people's ideas
3) you can play other people's music
4) it broadens your ability to play in certain circumstances
5) it's actually fun to read it and hear it without having to sit and  play it (if you want) -- particularly for me rhythm -- I couldn't look at a sheet of music and hum the notes if I wanted -- but I could read the rhythm
6)you can communicate in a whole different way
7)you can participate in musical experiences that otherwise you might not have

Here are some cons:
1)it takes some practice
2)it's frustrating when you're like "What in the heck is that?"

And I don't think to be a great musician you have to read music. But, I think it is well worth the effort for what it pays back.  

I would just like to hear one good reason to NOT learn how to read!

Nah ... it only does that if you let it!

Perfect example ... Big Band drummers are taught to check out the music charts and then let it go; put the music away.

Music notation is just a road map. When using a map to look for the best route to your grandma's house ... you just figure it out and put the map away. You don't sit there and keep your nose in the pages while trying to drive do you? You might look down occasionally to make sure you are on the right path ... but 99.9% of the trip is spent with your eyes on the road, watching your surroundings, looking out for other cars, checking out the road signs, etc. Reading music is no different.

If you're not a very good read ... sure, it could be a hindrance because you're slow. Picture a 3 year-old trying to read a road map and give you directions!

Don't be lazy! Learn to read ... you'll be a better musician for it ... and you'll stop whining about all the negatives of reading music. Only the people who can't read or don't read very well complain or think it's a bad idea. Some things in life you just have to work for ... ya know?!

Ahhh ... I feel better.

Oh I know you were just kidding around. I wasn't directing anything to you ... but merely wanted to address the countless excuses and negative views of reading music. I know people just like you do ... who can't play unless it's written out or on paper. In that case, they aren't going to need to be creative anyway because they are just reading what's on the page. They might have some creative interpretations with what's written ... which is very cool ... but it's not like they are improvising. If it's written, then you are supposed to read what's there ... unless the genre requires that add to or subtract from what's written. Sometimes the written music is just a guide to give you an idea ... such as a transcribed jazz solo within a big band.

If people can't play outside of the written music ... then it's not READING the music that is the problem ... it's them!

All of this is like saying "guns kill people" therefore "guns are bad". That is just silly. So applying to music, reading music is not bad ... it's when people use it as a crutch and never truly master their instrument by being able to freely express themselves on it ... that's what's bad.

Truly great musicians can read music, write music, speak music ... and fully express the music that is in them. I don't care if you name the most famous drummer in the world ... if he/she can't read/write music ... they are only operating at 80% of their full potential.

If you can only speak Spanish, but can't read or write it ... do you really KNOW the Spanish language? Sure, you can exist in a culture that uses this language, but you are limited on what you can do. You'd basically be a blind, illiterate, Spanish speaking individual.
Now ... put that in your pipe and smoke it!

I think its somewhat feasible.  Its good to have a basic understanding of note values and how things should be played.  I use to play with a guitarist and he would just play something 2 times(4/4 pattern)which would in essence really be 4 times for me.  It just amazes me too on some of the guess work, or feel of where a value should be played.  I think it brings the playing to a higher level if you know values and so forth.

Since I started learning how to read quarters and such in the 1st grade with piano I really never knew music without notation.  Then the baritone in 5th grade...oh THAT WAS soooooooooo fun .  NOT!  I never knew music without notation.

I started really getting into drum lessons at about 15 and boom, right to the books.

I try to read something every practice session...and then we do do charts quite a bit in our band these days, but I never found charts restrictive...just a roadmap.  My brain and body is what restricts me musically.

I can't find anything wrong with reading...but I don't frigging read on a gig.  That is ridiculous for what I do.
I basically learned how to subdivide, play hip patterns- then I "memorize" the technique and do theme and variations of those patterns, licks whatever.