R.I.P. The English Novel 1485 - 2009 - Page 6

Daithi · 08-11-2009, 03:48 PM

Paris Hilton, Katie Price, JFK Jr., Anna Nicole Smith, Jon & Kate, and several others -- famous for being pretty, or having a rich parent, or both. Normally, I couldn't care less.

The only time it bothers me is when one of them does something stupid (or dies -- or both) and "news" programs spend the next two weeks discussing nothing else.

PKFFW · 08-11-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peverel

I have no issue with people being famous for being good at something and Beckham is an excellent example, I gather he is probably the best footballer in his class (sorry never been into football). However, does he, on a day to day basis, put more into our society than a doctor or a surgeon. Personally I think not but our society seems to think he does based on what our society is prepared to accept as his renumeration package.

(PS nothing against Beckham or anyone else, just using them to illustrate a personal frustration with our society)

It's the age old question of which is better?

To get a small amount from a large number of people or to get a large amount from a small number of people?

Doctors, nurses, police, fire fighters, teachers et al do a wonderful and necessary job. However, on an individual basis, each of those aid, in reality, a relatively small number of people during their working life. On a "per instance" basis they get renumerated well. I speak from experience as I work in one of the above professions and my missus in another. So I would also agree they should be renumerated better.

On the other hand singers, footballers, authors et al, provide a service to many many people throughout their working life.(the good ones anyway) On a per instance basis they are renumerated rather marginally but because they provide that service to such a huge number of people they can end up making far more money.

How much money a person makes is not an indicator of how much value society places on what they do. I'm quite happy to pay $100 to get the best seats to watch a rugby match. On the other hand I'd be happy to pay a crap load more to a doctor to perform surgery on me. I'm sure most people feel the same. Quite obviously I value the doctors services more whether or not he is making as much money as David Beckham or any other footballer.

Cheers,
PKFFW

PKFFW · 08-11-2009, 07:51 PM

And as for the rest of it........seems many around here spend far too much time worrying about what other people read, care about, think and do. Maybe they should take a chill pill, relax a litte and read, care about, think and do what gives them joy and let others do the same and the whole world might get along better.

Cheers,
PKFFW

SpiderMatt · 08-12-2009, 03:04 AM

I'm definitely in the "don't know who shes is and don't care" crowd. The New York Times Bestsellers list has never been a gauge of quality, but one of quantity. We all know popularity doesn't equate with quality. Does anyone here look to the Billboard's Top 100 to discover the best music being produced today? Does anyone accept that just because a politician won an election that he will necessarily do a good job (although being a politician is, in all likelihood, the inhibitor that keeps people in office from doing a good job)? Being able to gauge good literature is a talent that a minority of people in this world possess because a minority of people read enough to gain such an acute sense of value and distinction. I consider Dan Brown and Stephanie Meyer mediocre writers at best. But everyone loves them. No point in losing sleep over it. Poor literature will forever top bestsellers lists because, usually, it's just more accessible.

lovestoreadalot · 08-12-2009, 04:23 AM

*****

jinlo · 08-12-2009, 10:42 AM

Moejoe,

I have a link for you.

http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_if.htm

It’s the poem “If” by Kipling. May it bring comfort and wisdom to you as it often does for me.

If that doesn’t help, may I suggest the movie “Gladiator” and that you look for you own truth in that tale.

Strength and honor, my friend. Strength and honor.

Moejoe · 08-12-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jinlo

Moejoe,

I have a link for you.

http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_if.htm

It’s the poem “If” by Kipling. May it bring comfort and wisdom to you as it often does for me.

If that doesn’t help, may I suggest the movie “Gladiator” and that you look for you own truth in that tale.

Strength and honor, my friend. Strength and honor.

I know the poem well

Thanks for the reminder though

pshrynk · 08-13-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moejoe

Well fine, if you want the whole industry to be just that. Well, hell why not have our novels sponsored by Coca-Cola while we're at it and have every other page an advert? I mean, it's just literature after all, it's not important. It's just entertainment. It's not like reading is important or anything.

Coming soon, The Grapes of Wraith 2 - The Wrathening (by a faceless conglomeration of US sitcom writers hiding behind the face of a celebrity)

next up: 1985 - The Year After (by David Hasselhof)

If you're seriously suggesting fiction and literature should be run like the soulless TV & movie industry then I have to wonder if you have actually read a book before, if that is the esteem with which you hold literature.

You know where I could sign up for that Coca Cola sponsorship thingie?

Gideon · 08-13-2009, 08:16 PM

I'm not surprised. The popular of anything is rarely good (though there are some pretty striking exceptions.) With books this is particularly the case.
From NYTimes best seller list:
#1 is "CULTURE OF CORRUPTION" which a partisan hackjob.
#2 LIBERTY AND TYRANNY, is much of the same ideological idiocy.
#3 "Outliers" is entertaining and interesting but essentially pseudo-sociology
#4 "CATASTROPHE" see #1 & #2
#5 "UNMASKED" about MJ

Yeah, a lot to be proud of there.

Moe The Cat · 08-13-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verencat

I sincerely believe that flashing your boobs is the only honest way to make a living these days, that is why I'm doing it as much as I can!

(I'm kidding, of course, although...

)

Well, the Toronto Meet-up is in two days ...

Verencat · 08-13-2009, 11:51 PM

LOL! Double - triple LOL!!!!!!!!! Screamed out of laughter!!!

Well, no chance of that happening... Seriously, you don't even want it to happen...but maybe you should bring some change to throw at me, just in case!

kazbates · 08-13-2009, 11:58 PM

Change!! You mean change as in change from a large denomination like a $100 bill (Canadian currency, of course)! If you are going to "let your hair down" so to speak, they better be throwing 10 spots or even a few C notes!

Verencat · 08-13-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazbates

Change!! You mean change as in change from a large denomination like a $100 bill (Canadian currency, of course)! If you are going to "let your hair down" so to speak, they better be throwing 10 spots or even a few C notes!

But I just can see the bunches of shiny pennies flowing through the air...

kazbates · 08-14-2009, 12:01 AM

Girl. . . You and I need to talk!!

Verencat · 08-14-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazbates

Girl. . . You and I need to talk!!

I think it's an hilarious picture... and keep in mind it would all happen in a bagel shop! I'm really gifted for classiness!

Now back to the ongoing funerals...

08-12-2009, 04:23 AM	#80
lovestoreadalot Connoisseur Posts: 92 Karma: 32 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: none	***** Last edited by lovestoreadalot; 09-15-2010 at 10:10 AM.

08-13-2009, 08:16 PM	#84
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	Eh... I'm not surprised. The popular of anything is rarely good (though there are some pretty striking exceptions.) With books this is particularly the case. From NYTimes best seller list: #1 is "CULTURE OF CORRUPTION" which a partisan hackjob. #2 LIBERTY AND TYRANNY, is much of the same ideological idiocy. #3 "Outliers" is entertaining and interesting but essentially pseudo-sociology #4 "CATASTROPHE" see #1 & #2 #5 "UNMASKED" about MJ Yeah, a lot to be proud of there.

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08-11-2009, 03:48 PM	#76
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	Paris Hilton, Katie Price, JFK Jr., Anna Nicole Smith, Jon & Kate, and several others -- famous for being pretty, or having a rich parent, or both. Normally, I couldn't care less. The only time it bothers me is when one of them does something stupid (or dies -- or both) and "news" programs spend the next two weeks discussing nothing else.

08-11-2009, 07:51 PM	#78
PKFFW Wizard Posts: 3,792 Karma: 33500000 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: BeBook, Sony PRS-T1, Kobo H2O	And as for the rest of it........seems many around here spend far too much time worrying about what other people read, care about, think and do. Maybe they should take a chill pill, relax a litte and read, care about, think and do what gives them joy and let others do the same and the whole world might get along better. Cheers, PKFFW

08-12-2009, 03:04 AM	#79
SpiderMatt Grand Arbiter Posts: 447 Karma: 1574837 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Arizona Device: iPod Touch, Amazon Kindle, Motorola Droid	I'm definitely in the "don't know who shes is and don't care" crowd. The New York Times Bestsellers list has never been a gauge of quality, but one of quantity. We all know popularity doesn't equate with quality. Does anyone here look to the Billboard's Top 100 to discover the best music being produced today? Does anyone accept that just because a politician won an election that he will necessarily do a good job (although being a politician is, in all likelihood, the inhibitor that keeps people in office from doing a good job)? Being able to gauge good literature is a talent that a minority of people in this world possess because a minority of people read enough to gain such an acute sense of value and distinction. I consider Dan Brown and Stephanie Meyer mediocre writers at best. But everyone loves them. No point in losing sleep over it. Poor literature will forever top bestsellers lists because, usually, it's just more accessible.

08-12-2009, 10:42 AM	#81
jinlo aka coco jinlo Posts: 415 Karma: 500002 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ-USA Device: Just purchased Sony 505, but alas, it is for the wife	Moejoe, I have a link for you. http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_if.htm It’s the poem “If” by Kipling. May it bring comfort and wisdom to you as it often does for me. If that doesn’t help, may I suggest the movie “Gladiator” and that you look for you own truth in that tale. Strength and honor, my friend. Strength and honor.

08-13-2009, 11:51 PM	#86
Verencat Wizard Posts: 2,615 Karma: 96491 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal, Qc Device: xxx	LOL! Double - triple LOL!!!!!!!!! Screamed out of laughter!!! Well, no chance of that happening... Seriously, you don't even want it to happen...but maybe you should bring some change to throw at me, just in case!

08-13-2009, 11:58 PM	#87
kazbates Wizard Posts: 2,627 Karma: 406616 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Device: SurfacePro, SurfaceBook 2	Change!! You mean change as in change from a large denomination like a $100 bill (Canadian currency, of course)! If you are going to "let your hair down" so to speak, they better be throwing 10 spots or even a few C notes!

08-14-2009, 12:01 AM	#89
kazbates Wizard Posts: 2,627 Karma: 406616 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Device: SurfacePro, SurfaceBook 2	Girl. . . You and I need to talk!!