# Does anybody here avoid fiction? (books/film/TV etc.) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 17, 2023, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-here-avoid-fiction-books-film-tv-etc/991723 "2023-10-17T22:15:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-here-avoid-fiction-books-film-tv-etc/991723/61 "2023-10-19T16:57:34Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I’m curious about people who completely avoid fiction. Do they also avoid other aesthetic pleasures? Like, do they not understand why I want spices in my food? Do they avoid music as unnecessary? Are patterned clothes just a distraction? The person I know who is 100% allergic to fiction loves good food, is an extremely natty dresser, and listens to much more music than most people do. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-here-avoid-fiction-books-film-tv-etc/991723/62 "2023-10-19T16:59:11Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I’m curious about people who completely avoid fiction. Do they also avoid other aesthetic pleasures? Like, do they not understand why I want spices in my food? Do they avoid music as unnecessary? Are patterned clothes just a distraction? That’s a bit black-and-white isn’t it? I’m not interested in fiction these days; and I’m not a fan of tap dancing. But I like the old Flemish masters. And Greek cuisine. I’m regularly disappointed by movies because they tend to be formulaic (hmm - two thirds of the way through - big crisis coming up!). But I think The Tempest is a great play. I’m not a fan of operas, but (to misquote someone) I’ll allow that they have great moments but awful quarter-hours. I could go on. My point is that (like everybody else) I like some arts but not others. I don’t see any relevance to my lack of interest in fiction. j ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-here-avoid-fiction-books-film-tv-etc/991723/63 "2023-10-19T17:03:12Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > That’s a bit black-and-white isn’t it? I’m really not accusing–it’s an honest question. Not liking fiction may just be like not liking paintings. I don’t really get moved by many paintings. It’s when people actively object to fiction, when they explain why it’s pointless, that I wonder if they don’t appreciate aesthetics in general. > [@Treppenwitz](#): > > I’m regularly disappointed by movies because they tend to be formulaic So is most Greek food, innit? Not Greek food in particular; most cooking is from a recipe, which is literally a formula. Sure, I appreciate novelty in a novel. I’m just not sure why fiction that’s treading well-trod ground is treated differently from food, or paintings, or music that does the same. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-here-avoid-fiction-books-film-tv-etc/991723/64 "2023-10-19T17:50:47Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > So is most Greek food, innit? Ehh… two thirds of the way through an eggplant salad and two thirds of the way through a chicken souvlaki are very different things. 😉 But I digress, so I’ll stop. Re losing interest in fiction as you age (which seems to be a theme here), this is something I’ve been thinking about: > [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > There are research studies showing that avid fiction readers have higher empathy than average. Do we think that one becomes less empathetic with age? I’m thinking about - mmm, can’t think of the phrase, so I’ll just say: life beating the crap out of you over the years. I see people becoming more self-centred and thoughtless (not showing consideration for the needs of other people) as they age. And I guess an independent observer might point me out as an example too - who knows? Is that a loss of empathy? j [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-here-avoid-fiction-books-film-tv-etc/991723.md?page=3)