Does anybody here avoid fiction? (books/film/TV etc.)

[Briny_Deep]

@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.

[Treppenwitz]

@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

[Left_Hand_of_Dorkness]

@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.

[Treppenwitz]

@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