The article is about how she came to be a reader in 1930’s rural Alabama, when books were scarce.
:rolleyes: Quit being a crotchety old snot. Books are not out of fashion. They’re still out there. They probably sell more of them now than at any other point in history. There are still many, many, many avid readers in the world, and more ways than ever before for them to be exposed to new ideas.
I suppose writing a Pulitzer-winning novel, and one of the most beloved works in American history gives one a bit of latitude, but climb off your high horse, huh? You’ve lived to see the world make significant promise toward the dream you espoused in To Kill a Mockingbird. One might think you’d appreciate progress a bit more.
Ogre. Have you even read the magazine or are you just trashing a CNN news blurb with maybe one relevant snippet from the letter Harper Lee wrote?
I can think of far worse things than disdaining the reminiscences of an 80-year old’s childhood memories of rural life and the scarcity of books. I’ll bet you’re loads of fun at family reunions and wedding anniversaries.
I disagree. It seems to me that she’s playing the “kids these days!” geezer role, and it suits her badly.
Besides, even if she were criticizing that people don’t appreciate books these days, it’s horse puckey. Lots and lots of people appreciate books now…probably far more than did so in her heyday.
Flippancy aside, I would very much like to read the entire letter; if only because it was written by Harper Lee.
There are some folks, who are, for lack of a better term, so cool, that we should pay attention to and consider their opinions.
No, I haven’t read the whole letter, but what? Do you imagine that she says something in it that completely reverses the meaning of the insulting phrase at the end, and makes it all sunshine and lollipops? Let’s see, maybe “Ignore the clauses after this, cos I’m just dicking around, but now, 75 years later in an abundant society where people have laptops, cell phones, iPods, and minds like empty rooms, I still plod along with books.”
Fuck that. I can’t fucking stand a “ah, the good ol’ days were so much better than they are now” mentality, especially from someone who is 1) as intelligent and well-read, and 2) as socially progressive as Harper Lee. It’s utter, utter bullshit. Of course I’m fascinated with how she became a reader in rural Alabama. Hell, I even asked her about it when I met her in Monroeville once. What I’m not fascinated with is how she seems to have contempt for today’s “people with minds like empty rooms.”
Well, sure, when she’s talking about 1950’s racial injustice, but I’d sure like to see her say something that rises above your average cantankerous AARP-sponsored Andy Rooney rant.
There’s nothing wrong with reminiscing and discussing the differences and similarites between past and present (and what was better or worse). And there is nothing wrong with saying, “I personally don’t care for or use modern technology.” But she was making a judgment there. And it’s not like it was off the cuff.
I wonder how many people could read in Alabama then compared to now…and how many had access to as many books as now?
Once upon a time there was no such thing as books, either…
Ironically, the stereotype that people over, say 65, can’t do technology…is rapidly becoming untrue.
You’re not “fascinated” by what you characterize as “her seeming contempt” for people with minds like empty rooms. But your obscenity-laden contempt for the opinions of an intelligent, long lived, well-read, social progressive is laudable.
I’ll work on reading for comprehension if you’ll work on reigning in making enormously hypocritical statements.
Quite. However, you come in with thinly veiled insults, don’t be surprised if you get them right back in the teeth.
Oh, and profanity is allowed outside the Pit, regardless of what nanny posters like to think.
I have enormous respect for Ms. Lee. Enough respect that I won’t treat her like an ailing, mentally-unstable elderly relation. She has a very sharp mind, and always has. Sharp enough to realize that her insulting “kids these days” statement is lazy and devoid of worth.
Now, this statment isn’t even trying. Do you comprehend that her opinions on the subject of your life experiences are an order of magnitude more important than your own? Cut the hero-worship and begin debating intelligently.
