# I get it; you enjoy reading. Would you prefer a medal or a trophy? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 13, 2006, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331 "2006-07-13T15:14:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/101 "2006-07-13T23:55:36Z")
> [@Epimetheus](#): > > Eh, can’t say I have ever conciously lorded my superiority over a person because I read. I definately agree that it is likely to be human nature to feel superior to others based on likes and preferences, as a defensive mechanism if anything. I do sort of feel that reading makes a person better in many ways. I would feel the need to be defensive and rude about it if somebody deliberately shunned reading and insulted me because of it. Anyone that shuns reading is an ass. I don’t recall, however, seeing anyone take that stance here. Ever. There are plenty of people who have no problem, if not actually “shunning” ,at least expressing their disdain for those who don’t. > [@](#): > > I don’t personally believe that being educated makes you a better person. But if push comes to shove and some backwoods hillbilly was talking down about all those college edumacated ijits, I would probably get snooty and feel superior to him. More of a reaction to a threat though. I have friends that don’t ever read a book, but I don’t feel better or smarter than them, but if they talked smack about reading, I would probably get reactive and blurt out something about how uncultured they are. Sad, true, but it isn’t any different from the reactions I get when people find out I don’t watch sports on the telly. Agreed, except, again, I don’t recall ever seeing someone take the stance that people that aren’t into sports are somehow deficient. > [@](#): > > I don’t see the surprise on how people read a lot or derride those that don’t on this message board. You are on a message board dedicated to fighting ignorance, an all text medium, in which highly educated and intelligent people come to discuss all things geeky, obscure, and where they can interact with people similar to them and talk about things, or complain about things they cannot do in the real world. Unless you frequent MENSA meetings that is. I think if you DON’T read, you probably ought not be here. No snootyness intended whatsoever, just practicality. How do you expect to interact in GD, GQ or 1/4-1/2 of Cafe Society if you don’t read? There are hundreds if not thousands of lower-brow, FREE message boards and communities out there, and complaining about how highly intelligent and educated people like talking about how educated and intelligent they are (or what/how many books they have read or are going to read) on a message board you have to pay to contribute when you should be well aware of what the community is like here is just plain silly. Really? You think if one doesn’t read they" ought not be here"? You do understand I’m speaking of reading for pleasure and not the actual \* ability \* to read, don’t you? For that matter, what difference does it make if it’s free and “low-brow” or not? I’m speaking to the issue of a certain snobbery I’ve noticed. I commented on it (as is my right to do, being a paid member). Sorry you find it silly, but it’s just an observation like any other topic of conversation here. > [@](#): > > Just so you aren’t confused. This message board is very high-brow, full of extremely bright and gifted people that like to read and talk about politics, science, arts and humanities and BOOKS, things you have to know having read a book. Documentaries are nice, but they don’t cut it. Would this be covered under your intent not to be snooty? Because this is easily the most condescending thing I’ve read so far. Thanks for the pointers, but I think I’be got it :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > While I am not one of these extremely bright and gifted people, I pay to enjoy reading others, feeling dumb, and getting a sense of my place in this world. If you are like me, perhaps you should quit bitching or leave or something, cause it isn’t going to stop. I assure you I am \* not \* like you, because I may make an unpopular observation, but this kind of useless shit would never come from me. Your suggestion that I might “quit bitching or leave or something” has been filed under “d” for dumb fuck". > [@](#): > > If you are one of those brilliant and highly educated people, sorry a lowbrow near moron like me figured this out before you, but with high education and brilliance, there is a higher occurance of arrogance and showmanship. People like to brag about their gifts, their education, and how many books they have read or what GPA they got in school, and God-forbid, their IQ. > > Just human nature. I know you are just venting or what not, but… uhh, perhaps you should try and adjust and get over it? Thanks for your astute observation. I’ll try and adjust while you’re trying to remove the " I don’t really know how to participate in a conversation before acting like a douchebag" stick out of your ass. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/102 "2006-07-14T00:16:53Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Thanks for your astute observation. I’ll try and adjust while you’re trying to remove the " I don’t really know how to participate in a conversation before acting like a douchebag" stick out of your ass. Much like your OP and your own ass. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/103 "2006-07-14T00:18:54Z")
May I please have a gillt-edged commemorative bookmark? ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/104 "2006-07-14T00:38:00Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > So supposing all I’ve read is a buncha Joe Wambaugh. Would it still bother you if I voted? All other things being equal, I’d prefer a voter who only read Joe Wambaugh–not a bad writer, and one with a fair amount to say about crime and police–to someone who didn’t read at all. It’s not just the subject matter that’s important, but also that reading–even reading dreck that’s much worse than Wambaugh–stimulates the imagination and improves critical thinking. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/105 "2006-07-14T01:24:36Z")
> [@Epimetheus](#): > > Much like your OP and your own ass. I’m sorry, I’m not understanding. Are you saying my OP and my own ass are up your ass? Would this be an example of the “high brow” nature of this board that you so charitably tried to explain to me? Is this physically possible? I’m not a big contributor to The Pit, as I don’t like to engage in the kind of exchange that conversations sometimes devolve into here. Don’t get me wrong; I get a huge kick out of some of the verbal warfare. You, however, are not qualified, and I am not interested enough. I’m not proud to speak to another the way I’ve spoken to you, but in all fairness, you did get on a mighty high horse, which is offensive enough in itself, but then you didn’t even make an interesting or valid point. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/106 "2006-07-14T01:40:48Z")
I don’t envy the person who has to settle for the stick. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/107 "2006-07-14T01:46:01Z")
I’m not taking the stick. I’ll take the hand-spun and hand-knitted cat fur throw. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/108 "2006-07-14T01:46:32Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I don’t envy the person who has to settle for the stick. That, my friend, would be the booty prize 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/109 "2006-07-14T01:51:40Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I’m not proud to speak to another the way I’ve spoken to you, but in all fairness, you did get on a mighty high horse, which is offensive enough in itself, but then you didn’t even make an interesting or valid point. Pot, meet kettle. And, I get a bug up my ass about people who rhaposidize about food and wine. So? The readers and book lovers here aren’t going to change because you disapprove of their love–and even of their arrogance and possible snobbery. Who cares? I do know that kids who like to read tend to do better in school, which can’t be a bad thing, all round. Up to 3rd grade, you learn to read, after 3rd grade, you read to learn. Those of us who lust after new fiction and argue over plot points and author’s POVs etc are just like foodies or lovers of horsebackriding or god forbid, rollerderby. But say you love to read, get caught reading–and it is for some reason, highly suspect to those who don’t share it. You are either pitied for being a wallflower or looked at askance as some kind of closet Commie/terrorist. Why do Americans so fear an intellectual? Get over yourselves, already. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Balduran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cc9497/32.png) [@Balduran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balduran)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/110 "2006-07-14T01:58:56Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > But say you love to read, get caught reading–and it is for some reason, highly suspect to those who don’t share it. You are either pitied for being a wallflower or looked at askance as some kind of closet Commie/terrorist. Why do Americans so fear an intellectual? Gotta ask. Does this really happen often? As I’ve said, I’m not a big reader for entertainment, but many in my circle are. I have never seen this sort of reaction to them. Quite the opposite really, most people I’ve notocied that aren’t big readers usually seem pretty impressed when they find out. ---
**Author:** ![Balduran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cc9497/32.png) [@Balduran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balduran)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/111 "2006-07-14T02:09:22Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > 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 … Read an autobiography on [url= [Booker T. Washington - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T._Washington)] Booker T. Washington[/ur;] once. Said the only thing he could read for pleasure was biographies about great men. Guess you could say he also came from a working class background as he was an ex-slave from Virginia. He just couldn’t see the point in making the effort to read made-up stories when he could instead read to learn something. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/112 "2006-07-14T02:13:16Z")
Come to work with me–watch as I tell the folks that I have to read an entire book for a class. Watch their eyes bulge. :rolleyes: see, the whole, “gee whiz, that’s alot of reading!” attitude is just as bad as the “she’s just got to find the right man. you would rather spend Saturday noc with a book than go out” attitude that I used to get when I read thru college etc. maybe times are different now, but I am going off of my experiences. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/113 "2006-07-14T02:17:26Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > see, the whole, “gee whiz, that’s alot of reading!” attitude is just as bad as the “she’s just got to find the right man. you would rather spend Saturday noc with a book than go out” attitude that I used to get when I read thru college etc. :dubious: How do you figure that equivalence, exactly? ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/114 "2006-07-14T02:28:37Z")
> [@Balduran](#): > > I have never seen this sort of reaction to them. Quite the opposite really, most people I’ve notocied that aren’t big readers usually seem pretty impressed when they find out. Same here. I didn’t realize it was such a big deal. I’ve never been treated that way over reading. I’m tempted to think that people are exaggerating for dramatic effect. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/115 "2006-07-14T02:44:30Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Pot, meet kettle. > And, I get a bug up my ass about people who rhaposidize about food and wine. So? The readers and book lovers here aren’t going to change because you disapprove of their love–and even of their arrogance and possible snobbery. Who cares? We regularly discuss things here that aren’t likely to change. It’s possible that someone here will try to tone their arrogance down a bit. Who knows. > [@](#): > > I do know that kids who like to read tend to do better in school, which can’t be a bad thing, all round. Up to 3rd grade, you learn to read, after 3rd grade, you read to learn. Those of us who lust after new fiction and argue over plot points and author’s POVs etc are just like foodies or lovers of horsebackriding or god forbid, rollerderby. But say you love to read, get caught reading–and it is for some reason, highly suspect to those who don’t share it. You are either pitied for being a wallflower or looked at askance as some kind of closet Commie/terrorist. Why do Americans so fear an intellectual? Get over yourselves, already. > > :rolleyes: Is there one post in this thread that says it’s not important for kids to read? Has anyone here said that they don’t understand why some people enjoy reading? Or that people who read for pleasure are to be pitied? Any posts like that at all? > [@](#): > > Gotta ask. Does this really happen often? As I’ve said, I’m not a big reader for entertainment, but many in my circle are. I have never seen this sort of reaction to them. Quite the opposite really, most people I’ve notocied that aren’t big readers usually seem pretty impressed when they find out. I spend a lot of time reading for pleasure, and I’ve never had that sort of reaction either. All the comments that non-readers have made about my reading have been positive. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/116 "2006-07-14T03:01:39Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Pot, meet kettle. > And, I get a bug up my ass about people who rhaposidize about food and wine. So? The readers and book lovers here aren’t going to change because you disapprove of their love–and even of their arrogance and possible snobbery. Who cares? > > I do know that kids who like to read tend to do better in school, which can’t be a bad thing, all round. Up to 3rd grade, you learn to read, after 3rd grade, you read to learn. Those of us who lust after new fiction and argue over plot points and author’s POVs etc are just like foodies or lovers of horsebackriding or god forbid, rollerderby. But say you love to read, get caught reading–and it is for some reason, highly suspect to those who don’t share it. You are either pitied for being a wallflower or looked at askance as some kind of closet Commie/terrorist. Why do Americans so fear an intellectual? Get over yourselves, already. :rolleyes: Whoa, whoa, whoa now. This has gone completely off the proverbial track. You get a bug up your ass about people who rhapsodize about food and wine? I don’t blame you. Might you provide some links to threads where said wine and food afficianados make a point, or even mention, their disdain of people that don’t share that passion? You say that people that love to read aren’t going to change? Who asked them to? I stated that I myself am an avid reader. No disapproval here. That isn’t the original point. The point was my observation that \* some \* literary types have put themselves on a pedestal. Who cares? Well, who the hell cares about anything we discuss here? I can’t believe how many times a point I’m trying to make is met with the “who cares?” defense. Sweet Jesus, I will ask again, who cares about \* any\* of the minutae that is discussed / debated here. I thought that’s what this board was about. You’ve provided the example that kids who like to read do better in school. Well, duh! I’m behind you %100. But I \* never \* questioned or debated that. You’re not the first person to bring up being put down for being an avid reader. Again I say, I’ve never encountered that. I am and have always been “a reader”. If I’ve hit a sore spot, I’m sorry, but that has absolutely nothing to do with my original comments. There is no need to defend reading; it is not being attacked. You (generic you) are not being attacked. I simply commented on something that I’ve observed. To sum it up: I am an avid reader and have always been. I have nothing against people who now or will in the future read. People that don’t read are not stupid. All people that \* do \* read are not academic snobs. - Some\* people that read a lot are snobs. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/117 "2006-07-14T03:48:22Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > So I bow to you, oh voracious readers. You do put your non-reading brethren to shame. Not. Just because I checked out the last copy of the Davinci Code 5 min before you got to the library, you have to go off on a bitch fit. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/118 "2006-07-14T03:56:48Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > This very minor rant is inspired by [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=379451) and it not directed toward anyone in particular, per se. I read this entire thread before following your link, and the first thing I noticed in the other thread’s OP was this: “…bring something to occupy your mind. A book, a magazine, a game, knitting, something, _anything_.” I think that one sentence explains the entire other thread. Why would you take any more offense at “I bring along three books” than “I bring along a PSP with three games” or “I bring along a bag of yarn and three things I’m knitting”? We can talk about anything except books? > [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > 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? What’s wrong with being a troglodyte? Reading in a cave can be quite enjoyable. 😉 Seriously, though, people who love to read tend to love to _talk_ about what they read. That’s why there are so many reading groups in the world. After reading something that I really enjoy, I want to find other people who have read it and share my excitement. What’s wrong with that? > [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > 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. It’s not a noble cause. I enjoy reading Plato and Homer, but I also read Ed McBain’s police procedurals, Ivan Doig’s historical fiction, McCaffrey’s Pern novels, Stanley Gordon West’s slice-of-life novels, all kinds of non-fiction, and (shame!) Star Trek novels. Heck, I even read Janet Evanovich books. Nothing noble at all, _but I enjoy talking about my reading_, just like I enjoy talking about my other hobbies. > [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > So I bow to you, oh voracious readers. You do put your non-reading brethren to shame. Not. Yeah, yeah. Got any medals left? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@Cyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyn)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/119 "2006-07-14T04:06:34Z")
I would prefer a trophy. And I’d like to thank the academy… ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/120 "2006-07-14T04:13:16Z")
> [@InvisibleWombat](#): > > Seriously, though, people who love to read tend to love to _talk_ about what they read. That’s why there are so many reading groups in the world. After reading something that I really enjoy, I want to find other people who have read it and share my excitement. What’s wrong with that? That isn’t what he is talking about. It’s not that they talk about _what_ they read, it’s that they talk about _that_ they read. “Yep. I’m a reader. Yep. Love to read.” This is not a problem just with reading–you find these sort of people everywhere. It’s the differnece between somoene who loves to hike and talks all the time about all the cool places they have been (interesting) and the person who loves to hike and talks all the time about how they love to hike and how hiking is so healthy and how it is they don’t understand people who don’t enjoy hiking and how they think it’s sad that other people haven’t felt the endorphin rush they feel when hiking and how criminal it is that people don’t take their kids on hiking trips (boring and snobbish). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331.md?page=7)