[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

Even if it's a minor hobby you're clearly talking about something you feel passionate about, which is always great. I hope you decide to come back (when you're done with work). I hope there isn't anything here other than you losing time that is making you take a break.

Oh yeah, this thread didn't drive me away or anything. Just made me realize I'm wasting a lot of time getting sucked into arguments over something that's a minor hobby for me.

That and I just get frustrated as I don't fit in with the membership here being a casual reader, relatively young, and not that impressed with e-ink. So I just end up having the same arguments about backlit screens, tablets etc. over and over and over and it's gotten stale.

Just not enough others here who aren't big fans of dedicated reading devices--which makes since given the name of the site I suppose. Though you'd think it was e-ink.com rather than mobileread given how prevalent the bashing of anything that isn't e-ink is.

Originally Posted by Ea

Once, after having relied on only one newspaper for a couple of months (years ago, early Internet period), I realised how much my opinions were shaped by that news source. SInce then I've made a point of accessing several news sources, and when I keep newspaper subcriptions, that I switch once in a while.

I am very certain that all that we take in shape our ideas, opinions, and ways of thinking.

Agreed. I was only referring to fiction. Reading news, opinion pieces, non-fiction etc. does shape views. I'm not sure reading fiction does--and people certainly shouldn't let fiction affect their views as it's just entertainment IMO.

I just thought it was silly that the linked article and some discussion etc. seemed to imply that a person is less intellectual for reading "junk" and not classic literature etc. Fiction is fiction IMO--some is much better than others--but that's subjective and I don't think personally that reading classic lit etc. is any sign of a persons intellect etc.

If you want to be an intellectual, get into science, research, and other intellectual topics and leave the literature for entertainment IMO. I basically view fiction reading the same I do movies, TV, video games etc. Entertainment/art, not something I do to expand my intellect. I expanded my intellect by getting a Ph D, and continue to expand it by through research, non-fiction reading, teaching others etc.

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

First of all, I was not "attacking" graphic novels. I made it very clear it was my own bias. I could care less what people read. I made a comment, tried to explain why I felt that way.

Your statement about your own bias towards reading because of growing up the way you did, speaks volumes.

There is a huge difference between someone who grew up with a passionate love of books, and someone who just "isn't a big believer in reading fiction".

As for taking a break from this site? I haven't found anything in this thread thats even came close to being objectionable. Except for the op's link to the article.

No one has 'flamed out', and I haven't even gotten my stick out.

Sorry if I misread you. Your post came across as kind of being an grandmother with the "Damn those young whipper snappers rotting their brains with comic books, movies, tv, and videogames! They should be reading!" type of vibe. Came across as a bit condescending in other words, if that wasn't your intent then I just misread it.

And again, this post didn't make me want to take a break. Just a continual realization that 31 year old casual reader who's more into movies, tv and video games shouldn't waste so much time on a site full of older book lovers wed to e-ink etc. If I'm going to waste time online I should focus it only on the hobbies I really love, and not a casual one like novel reading which is as much a way to get sleepy as it is a true hobby for me.