Author Sherman Alexie Wants to Punch You in the Face

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by tomsem

If any of you have read his books or seen the movie, "Smoke Signals" (he wrote the screenplay), you'll know that he has a playfully provocative style. He's much less interested in being rigorously 'correct' than in getting people to look at their stuff, whatever it might be.

Pfft.

I grew up on The Prisoner. I know how to question the world, and my role in it, without his help.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by pshrynk

I read his post over on Amazon. I would recommend everyone to do the same. He fears that the switch from paper books to electronic readers will leave behind those, like himself, who are growing up in poverty and unable to afford the readers. He fears Jeff Bezos' desire to "change the way people read." I feel that his concerns are much better presented in that post. He also thanks all of us for giving him something to laugh at in the reactio to his thoughts.

So he's got tunnel vision about digital reading... that's his problem. That's not enough of a reason for me to visit his site, search for his books, or otherwise do anything to increase his presence on the web (which, when you think about it, is all he needs to profit from all this nonsense... that's why he's laughing).

But he's not the only one...

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by pshrynk

Thank ghod i take up three, then...

I read his post over on Amazon. I would recommend everyone to do the same. He fears that the switch from paper books to electronic readers will leave behind those, like himself, who are growing up in poverty and unable to afford the readers. He fears Jeff Bezos' desire to "change the way people read." I feel that his concerns are much better presented in that post. He also thanks all of us for giving him something to laugh at in the reactio to his thoughts.

So this guy is saying he is currently growing up in poverty or that he grew up in poverty?? People who truly grow up in poverty often don't have access to books of any kind and, often never learn to read. That has nothing to do with technology, and everything to do with poverty.

As the technology becomes more common, even those growing up in poverty will be surrounded by it. For example, even the poorest people generally have a TV. Before too long, libraries will have ebooks and ereaders for lending ... it will happen. It doesn't make the technology "elitist." That's just a stupid reaction.

[RickyMaveety]

I read his post over at Amazon too. I like his ideas even less now that I've read them.

The man is not charming, funny, or much of anything else. So, I'll just give the rest of his writing a big ol' pass.

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

So this guy is saying he is currently growing up in poverty or that he grew up in poverty?? People who truly grow up in poverty often don't have access to books of any kind and, often never learn to read. That has nothing to do with technology, and everything to do with poverty.

As the technology becomes more common, even those growing up in poverty will be surrounded by it. For example, even the poorest people generally have a TV. Before too long, libraries will have ebooks and ereaders for lending ... it will happen. It doesn't make the technology "elitist." That's just a stupid reaction.

*I* grew up 'in poverty' - in the 60s and 70s. I saw many other kids failing to learn to love to read - but I dove into it. The children I saw went to the same schools I did, had the same lack of opportunity and had the same basic low-income existence - and ranged the spectrum of ethnic backgrounds.

It demonstrated to me that having parents who pushed children to learn, to excel and to strive to reach their potential had a LOT more to do with the learning success rate than the 'quality' of the teachers or the 'richness' of resources available.

So I think it's safe to say, "Sherman Alexie? What a Maroon!"

Derek

[sunsetsylvia]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

(Also, I sometimes want to read something that I don't want the public to know about. "Make friends by reading Harry Potter in public!" is completely countered by "freak out people by reading Superman/Batman slash zines.")

[Idoine]

Originally Posted by Barcey

I had the same experience on an airplane. I was sitting there trying to check my stocks in my newspaper. The lady beside me started making annoyed sounds every time I changed the page like I was invading her space and she refused to move over in her seat to allow me to comfortably read my paper. I asked for another first class seat but I was told that none were available. I finally set down my newspaper to giver her a dirty look and the ignorant fool was reading one of those elitist electronic reading devices. I tell you it totally spoiled the taste of my champagne.

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Did you ever play that 'whisper' game? One person says something, who whispers it to the next one, and on down the line. By the time it gets to the end, it has no recognizable relationship to the original statement.
I'm just sayin'..........

hmmmm...anyone know of a very popular book that was created that way and eventually put on what, at the time, passed for paper?

I put the same stock in that book as well...it is completely funny when people don't make the very connection you mention!!

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Well, I am disgusted.

There was a time when the paper book itself was beyond the reach of most people. Those who wanted one badly enough saved to buy it. They knew its worth.

If you want a shiny new device, yes, it is expensive. However, Kindles, Sony's and many other brands are available used and at reasonable prices.

Content can be free. The library can be used with the Kindle or Sony.


Its all about where your priorities are. Cellular phones, IPODS, game consoles, video games, the latest shoes, clothes, etc.....if thats what you want, fine.

Please, don't kid yourself.....many of those who cry "foul, its too expensive!" have these things. Yeah, I see that every day at school.

But don't whine because ebook readers are "elitist".

Best take on the topic so far...if I had kids I would scrub toilets to ensure the kid had access to these "elitist" devices like a Kindle or other learning tools. But if they did not take care of them then they would lose their extras and end up working harder than they would have w/o the device.

Kinda sad these days because when I was a kid I could earn extra cash mowing lawns, take out trash for folks, weed pulling...pretty much whatever...today that is all but unheard of...if I wanted something beyond the basics, I earned it and nobody I knew ever whined about not having access to such "advantages" because we all found ways to earn money. Heck, I started it when I was around 7-8yrs old. Our family business was antiques so I learned to buy and sell things to get what I wanted or needed.

We were not wealthy when I was a kid, not that we are now either, but I never went w/o what I needed to help me learn. Every time I hear or read comments like snobbish pseudo intellectuals like Alexie, I want to "strangle" them... (please note the quotes, it means I am insincere in that desire but am using the word to indicate displeasure with his comments...hehehehe...there that should CMA...)

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Pfft.

I grew up on The Prisoner. I know how to question the world, and my role in it, without his help.

+ 99999 to that one. I did the same. That and Fahrenheit 451, THX 1138, Stranger in a Strange Land, The Monkey Wrench Gang and too many others to name. And when someone is claims to be looking out for my best interests for me, my crap detector pings off the charts as well.

[Sydney's Mom]

We were poor when I was a kid - but I found the library. I bought my first book (paperback) with money from my first job. If I couldn't afford my reader (and I would give up A LOT to afford it) I would be back to the library. When I was at the library, I knew there were people buying those books to have them for their own, but that was so far beyond where I was, I just thanked my lucky stars you didn't have to buy a membership in the library. Cause no way would my parents spring for that!

The libraries are buying into electronic reading - I can see them loaning out readers, once someone figures out to make one durable enough for patrons.

[PhishStyx]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

(Also, I sometimes want to read something that I don't want the public to know about. "Make friends by reading Harry Potter in public!" is completely countered by "freak out people by reading Superman/Batman slash zines.")

Where I live, reading Harry Potter in public can be enough to make a violent enemy for life. I'm VERY happy not to have the local religious zealots know the books that I read.

[sirbruce]

http://www.edrants.com/sherman-alexi...itist-charges/

[...]
I’ve played with a Kindle. Didn’t emotionally connect with it like I immediately did with my iPod. That’s been the fascinating thing for me. I’m not even remotely a Luddite. I love all of my tech toys (and I love Amazon.com), but I have a visceral negative reaction to eBooks. I recognize that it is partly irrational and that’s why it was easy to be influenced by some of the powerful letters of dissent I read from Kindle lovers.
[...]
I love my iPod, my cell phone, my computer, and my HDTV. I have and enjoy a strong Internet presence with a great website and I have published poems and stories all over the web. In fact, I just published a poem that’s in the current online and print versions of the New Yorker. People are eager to portray me as being anti-technology, but that’s not the case at all. I think the iPod is as vital as the fork and wheel. So I’m not even sure why I have this strange, subterranean fear and loathing of the Kindle and its kind. I think it’s really about childhood. Books saved my life, Edward. I rose out of poverty and incredible social dysfunction because of books. And all of my senses-sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste-come into play when I think and read about books. Books are tactile and eccentric. An eBook will always be a gorgeous but anonymous box. It will also be just a tool–perhaps an amazing and useful tool-but I don’t want it to replace the book.
[...]

So, it turns out that the guy has an emotional hang-up about ebooks, grounded on little more than gut feeling and questionable logic. I'm glad he's at least engaging in some self-analysis now, but until he realizes he was a hypocrite and a liar for what he said before I have little sympathy for him.

[rhadin]

So, it turns out that the guy has an emotional hang-up about ebooks, grounded on little more than gut feeling and questionable logic.

Isn't that what psychiatrists are for -- to help us overcome these emotional hangups? Perhaps he should take some of his new wealth and spend it on help rather than on HDTV.

[Sydney's Mom]

Books didn't save my life. Reading did.