[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by Sonist

I have to disagree again with defining all people holding advanced degrees as intellectuals. A well-rounded intellectual may be more likely to hold an advanced degree, but advanced degrees do not alone an intellectual make.

Degrees make professionals, but it is up to the individual to develop into an intellectual.

I didn't say a degree MADE a person intellectual. I just said I have a Ph D and work in an intellectual job (professor--research and teaching), so I'll offer a resounding "f*** you" to anyone who says I'm rotting my brain and not developing my intellect since my reading lately has been some fantasy series.


Again, it's just stupid to judge anyone in anyway based on what they are reading in their spare time as that's only part of the story.

If it's a lady with a high school degree who works scrubbing toilets and her only reading is trashy romance novels, then yeah, she's probably not very intellectual.

But if the lady has a Ph D and works in an intellectual job for 60+ hours a week like I do--doing work that IMO develops the intellect more than fiction reading ever can--then one looks pretty silly bashing her for rotting her intellect for reading trashy romance novels.

Though in either case people should just shut up and mind their own business. One can think whatever they want about how much garbage the book is--no need to bash others, insult others, try to pressure others into reading better quality literature etc.

Again, people should just read what they like and find people who share their general tastes/views on the hobby (that's what book clubs, are for) and not worry about those with different tastes.

Again, being a big movie fan, I don't go around telling people who only watch a few big Blockbusters like Avatar a year that they need to quit rotting their brains and start seeing more indie films, foreign films, classics and documentaries.

I let them enjoy and find people with similar interests to discuss film with.

Originally Posted by Ben Thornton

There are two different issues here:

1. Is reading "bad" books harmful, like eating "bad" food?
2. Should we be critical of others for their choice of reading?

It's a resounding NO to both IMO.

1. No reading is harmful. It's all words. Even bad writing can improve your vocabulary, make you use your imagination etc.

Now some books are better than others for sure. Some books will give you more to think about, challenge your vocabulary more than others, etc.

But it's just that some books may be "better" for your intellect than others. The lesser books don't harm your intellect in any way, shape or form. They just do less to challenge it. And there's nothing wrong with that.

2. I think I've been clear on that one. People shouldn't be critical of other's hobbies. Period. As long as they aren't hurting anyone else, enjoy what you enjoy and let others do the same. No one likes judgmental people who are critical of others, especially for minor stuff like interests in certain hobbies like reading.

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Aren't there books that haunt you long after you've read them?
And aren't they worth distinguishing from the books that were great while you were reading them, but can be disposed off the moment you've finished?

Absolutely. But that doesn't mean that one should be critical of people who enjoy lighter fare, or that lighter fare is harmful etc.

Originally Posted by Lemurion

I think it's important to divorce the quality of the work from the genre.

Every genre has both excellent and abysmal books. One can read good books in fantasy, SF, romance, mystery or any other genre; however, one can also read crappy books in every genre too. You can also learn from both good and bad books - even if it's only what not to do.

Definitely true. There is quality writing in every genre. So just generalizing about whole genres is pretty ignorant.