This very minor rant is inspired by this thread and it not directed toward anyone in particular, per se.
One of the main reasons I hang out at SDMB is because it is populated by intelligent, interesting, well read, well spoken individdles. I’m well aware that the average intelligence here skews higher than the general unwashed masses. I would have assumed that it is a mute point that we all have this in common to varying degrees. Why, then, the need for so many people to constantly declare how much they read, enjoy reading, carry a mini library around, and generally deem nonreaders troglodites? Forgive me, but it comes off as a thinly veiled pat on one’s own back. So you read; good for you. I also enjoy reading, yet it would never occur to me to care about what, or more specifically, if others read.
I understand that people that have something in common tend to discuss it with one another, and anyone that doesn’t share in that activity is free to skip that particular conversation. Something about people tripping over themselves to tell us all how many books they read at one time smacks of self promotion, though, and denigrating people who don’t enjoy that particular hobby is just academic elitism.
I’m not sure why this irritates me so much. When fellow dopers talk about things that I don’t care about, I either ignore it or check it out to see if there might be something to get out of it. I’m just always taken aback by the pride some people seem to take in their hobby, as if it’s some noble cause or something.
So I bow to you, oh voracious readers. You do put your non-reading brethren to shame. Not.
Looking at the OP you linked to, it seems the poster was taking issue, not with people who don’t read, but people who don’t bring along a book (ar anything else) to occupy themselves when they know they’re going to be sitting a long time, then complain that they’re bored.
That’s a much less Pit-worthy notion than the one you seemed to be venting about; namely, people who feel superior to all non-readers.
As far as caring whether other people read or not, I only care to the extent that I think we’d be better off as a society if more people read something on a regular basis.
Seeing how the medal and trophy are both gone, I’ll take the lovely parting gifts: Samsonite luggage and a year’s supply of Rice-a-Roni, the San Francisco Treat.
**Why, then, the need for so many people to constantly declare how much they read, enjoy reading, carry a mini library around, **
Because we do. I mean, other hobby people talk about their hobby, don’t they?
**and generally deem nonreaders troglodites? Forgive me, but it comes off as a thinly veiled pat on one’s own back. So you read; good for you. I also enjoy reading, yet it would never occur to me to care about what, or more specifically, if others read. **
Two reasons here:
I am so tired of people considering me weird or geeky simply because I read. And I have come in contact with plenty of non-readers who feel superior because they don’t.
I do generally feel slightly superior to non-readers. Everyone has a right to feel superior about something. While non-readers are getting their knowledge from TV or whatever I am constantly expanding my knowledge and information base. Standing on the shoulders of giants, as they say. Now this doesn’t apply to all non-readers, only the ones that scorn reading as though it were anathema to them.
But you know, the thread you reference isn’t a feeling of superiority. I see this all the time - people get on planes, in waiting rooms, they have nothing to do, there is no TV to entertain them, and they whine about it. So bring a damn book, is all we’re saying!
I’m not sure why this irritates me so much. When fellow dopers talk about things that I don’t care about, I either ignore it or check it out to see if there might be something to get out of it. I’m just always taken aback by the pride some people seem to take in their hobby, as if it’s some noble cause or something.
I don’t get why people feel the need to complain! I have never found such a treasure-trove of readers as I do on the Dope - every time I come here with a book I’ve read I walk away with dozens of new thoughts on it. Why does it bother you?
Reminds me of a Dilbert cartoon wherein Dilbert snootily criticizes Dogbert for watching television. But it turns out that Dogbert is watching educational programs and Dilbert is reading “The Poodle Who Killed.”
There was some buttmunch on British radio yesterday saying that if you read, it has to be worthwhile, “because I come from a working class background.” He went on to say that it’s anathema to him to read for pleasure - if you want to enjoy yourself, why not watch a movie instead. This is one of the most stupid things I’ve heard for a long time, and since this seems like a good place to do it, I’d like to say fuck [whoever it was] with a spiky stick.
And since the medal and trophy are already taken, I’ll have my name in neon lights please.
