# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![Gene\_Frenkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gene\_Frenkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gene_Frenkle)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/161 "2006-07-14T23:54:51Z")
Curious George! Love him!! Love the time he got put in jail, or did I imagine that book? ---
**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, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/162 "2006-07-14T23:59:24Z")
> [@Gene Frenkle](#): > > Curious George! Love him!! Love the time he got put in jail, or did I imagine that book? No, it was the man in the yellow hat that was captured by the big guys with the swords, and Curious George in his cute little fez rescued… Oh, wait. Wrong monkey. Wrong story. ---
**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 15, 2006, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/163 "2006-07-15T00:18:27Z")
[QUOTE=eleanorigby] Lordy, I get it, **Manda Jo** -no need to beat it into me. I wish that someone somewhere would do CAT or PET scans of people reading and people watching TV-and see the difference. I have no way of knowing, one way or another, but my WAG is that the two stimulate different sections of the brain. OK-this is what I got out of this thread: 1. people can be annoying in their smugness re fill in hobby or interest here. 2. most people do not read obsessively and that’s ok 3. some truly crappy prizes were given out and I didn’t get even a one. Hey \*\* El\*\* , you got it right. I think my little mental hissy fit went awry. Once again I flog myself with a wet rigatoni for not putting this in IMHO, so as not to raise hackles. I know you’re a peach and a smart one at that. I was commenting on the tone I perceived in certain threads; nothing more, nothing less. Will you accept a Popeil Pocket Fisherman as a peace offering? ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/164 "2006-07-15T03:12:11Z")
I didn’t get a medal, so I stole one from a little boy at the picnic. Then I pushed him into the lake. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/165 "2006-07-15T03:34:53Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > **WOOKINPANUB** I am definitely guilty of declaring - pretty regularly - that I prefer to read. My apologies if I have made you feel like I think less of you because you don’t. You may be guilty of _declaring_ that you read, but you didn’t read the several times **WOOKIN** has said that he reads - a lot. It’s not about reading - it’s about the circle jerk. ---
**Author:** ![Blanche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Blanche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blanche)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/166 "2006-07-15T03:50:41Z")
People who don’t read don’t seem…well, I almost said not fully self-aware, but that’s a bit too far. It seems like an indication of some mental handicap. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/167 "2006-07-15T03:54:58Z")
> [@bup](#): > > It’s not about reading - it’s about the circle jerk. If all the medals and trophies and aardvarks are gone, I guess I’ll just have to settle for a circle jerk, then. Story of my life. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/168 "2006-07-15T04:22:31Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > If all the medals and trophies and aardvarks are gone, I guess I’ll just have to settle for a circle jerk, then. > > Story of my life. sure, leave the triangle jerk for me. story of my life ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/169 "2006-07-15T04:26:50Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > I’d prefer a nice plaque. Darn, too late. I see that the gingivitis trophy was taken too. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/170 "2006-07-15T09:05:28Z")
Seems I’m a bit late to claim any of the major prizes. S’okay. I’ll settle for a little certificate of some sort and a warm congratulatory handshake from Cecil. ---
**Author:** ![Carnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carnick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnick)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/171 "2006-07-15T10:55:15Z")
It’s amatuer comedy hour in here. This is what really rubbed me the wrong way in the cited thread – the thought that people who choose to spend their long waits not “doing” something are seen as vacant and Puddy-like. As if it’s somehow unfathomable that you could go 5 minutes without playing/reading/listening to something. Because reading a trashy novel is somehow more intellectual than _thinking_ to yourself? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/172 "2006-07-15T10:58:14Z")
A Popeil Pocket Fisherman?!? :eek: I bow to your greatness–O half ass reader\* and giver of great prizes! Can I see the Ginsu knives as well? Or whatever it was that slices and dices and makes Julienne fries with no trouble? \ I have much to learn, Master. 🆒 - I kid. ---
**Author:** ![PerditaX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@PerditaX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PerditaX)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/173 "2006-07-15T12:45:11Z")
It looks like all that’s left is the Ceramic Dalmation, so I’ll take that. (okay…how many remember THAT?) ---
**Author:** ![PerditaX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@PerditaX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PerditaX)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/174 "2006-07-15T12:54:06Z")
Damn! I hadn’t read all the replies. Even the ceramic dog has been claimed. How about a year’s supply of “2000 Flushes?” (ftr, my brother was on Jeopardy about a decade ago, and he _did_ win that!) ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/175 "2006-07-16T00:20:44Z")
> [@PerditaX](#): > > Damn! I hadn’t read all the replies. Even the ceramic dog has been claimed. How about a year’s supply of “2000 Flushes?” > > (ftr, my brother was on Jeopardy about a decade ago, and he _did_ win that!) How do they calculate that? “Well, you’re male and eat a lot of fiber. The slide rule says that’s about …hmmm… 47,294 flushes. Here’s 24 cartons. Have a nice day.” ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/176 "2006-07-16T04:23:02Z")
> [@Antigen](#): > > I enjoy reading. I don’t want a medal, or a trophy. You don’t have to bow to my superior intelligence, either. Though it would be nice. > > But the next person who says “you like _reading_??” in the same incredulous-and-slightly-grossed-out tone they might use in saying “you like licking aardvarks?”, will get whacked over the head with one of my books. And I’ve been reading hardcovers lately. Precisely! I think this is why you find folks who defend it perhaps a bit overzealously. It seems as if there are a LOT of those types around. Especially (as has been mentioned in recent threads), those who come up to you WHILE YOU ARE READING, interrupt you and proceed to regale you with “I don’t know HOW you can do that”. It’s the “poor thing must not have any friends/anything to do, I should ‘rescue’ them” syndrome. This is annoying in the extreme and, imho, is what causes a lot of the backlash of “We Read, therefore We are 'better”. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/177 "2006-07-16T05:04:36Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Heh. The problem isn’t that people read, it’s that people are can be so smug about it. Yeah, we all know you got an “A” on your _Moby Dick_ book report in the 2nd grade. And your daughter is reading _Finnegans Wake_ on the kindergarten commute. > > Yeah, I can see where the OP is coming from. I’m going to go back to something another poster replied (sorry I don’t remember who). I don’t understand why pride in one’s accomplishments or skills is a bad thing. I can understand why taking it to “neener neener I’m better than you-hooo because I read more” is bad, but a bit of bragging and pats on the back? Everyone wants to feel pride, and even that they are better than others in at least some way. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/178 "2006-07-16T19:15:08Z")
I got through spurts of reading and not reading. The most books I have ever had going at one time is three and I’d read whichever one fit my mood. I have no problems with the people who post here about their reading, I can choose to read their posts or not read them just as I sometimes read books and sometimes don’t. What bugs me most is my co-worker who has to list all the ten or so books she is reading (I mean attempting to read) every time she sees me … along with listing everything else going on in her life in great detail. AAARRRRGGGHHH! And she still hasn’t returned my “Life of Pi” book! I guess those are rants for another thread and another time, I just had to get that off my chest. ---
**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 17, 2006, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/179 "2006-07-17T00:46:43Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > I’m going to go back to something another poster replied (sorry I don’t remember who). > > I don’t understand why pride in one’s accomplishments or skills is a bad thing. I can understand why taking it to “neener neener I’m better than you-hooo because I read more” is bad, but a bit of bragging and pats on the back? Everyone wants to feel pride, and even that they are better than others in at least some way. I guess I don’t consider reading an accomplishment, and while I feel bad for people who have a hard time learning how to do it, they are in the minority and so I don’t really see it as some big skill, either. I also find bragging and patting oneself on the back to be fairly distasteful, whatever the reason, but most especially when it’s for something that I don’t really see as noteworthy. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/180 "2006-07-17T02:20:41Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I guess I don’t consider reading an accomplishment, and while I feel bad for people who have a hard time learning how to do it, they are in the minority and so I don’t really see it as some big skill, either. I also find bragging and patting oneself on the back to be fairly distasteful, whatever the reason, but most especially when it’s for something that I don’t really see as noteworthy. First of all, what do glowsticks have to do with reading? (google ads, which I usually grin at, then ignore). Second, that, your reply, explains a lot and makes your OP make sense as to why you feel the way you do. It is human nature though, to want to toot one’s horn about whatever it is that one does well. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t have the superbowl, the olympics, spelling bees. and so on ad infinitum. If one doesn’t recognize and even “brag” so to speak, about one’s accomplishments, where is the incentive to strive for more? People can’t often count on others to tell them what they’re doing well. As to you one point, that of not seeing reading as an accomplishment. As you yourself said, it’s sometimes difficult to learn. But imho, it’s the learning that it gives us that is noteworthy. As someone else said, documentaries are all fine and good, but research and learning at the deepest level requires working for it. If you aren’t actually in the lab doing the experiments or whatever, then poring through the research documents is the next best thing to learning. TV is fine with TLC and so on, but it’s limited to what the producers decided to cram into that one hour. Reading is all on how much, and how well you research and comprehend. Now, if you’re talking trashy novels, I’m in complete agreement. Fun, but no great shakes as an “accomplishment” of any sort. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331.md?page=10)