08-27-2011, 03:06 AM | #1 |
Are you gonna eat that?
Posts: 1,633
Karma: 23215128
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Phillipsburg, NJ
Device: Kindle 3, Nook STG
|
Does anybody know any non-readers?
If so, does it anger you? If you've asked about it, what justification do they give?
Maybe its just my own psychosis but I don't think I could be friends with someone who didn't own books (or an ereader). To me that probably means their knowledge consists of tv or magazines (mind-candy mags, not Popular Science) and thats a headache I don't need lol. Not that books necessarily make someone more intelligent but reading certainly requires a certain level of brain power and requires more critical thinking than a diet of People magazine or American Idol does. And no, I don't mean those who are unfortunately illiterate. I mean those who are perfectly able but just don't for whatever reason. |
08-27-2011, 03:12 AM | #2 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Good heavens, yes. The vast majority of my friends don't read books for pleasure - they just watch TV. Just it anger me? No - why should it? it's their choice, and they probably think that I'm equally strange, watching hardly any TV. It's not for me to tell them how to live their lives.
|
08-27-2011, 03:26 AM | #3 |
Evangelist
Posts: 448
Karma: 864744
Join Date: Mar 2011
Device: Kindle 3, LookBook, Nook Simple Touch
|
Most people I know are non-readers, it doesn't make me angry. I see books as just another form of entertainment, if they chose a different form than I who am I to judge ?
|
08-27-2011, 03:29 AM | #4 |
Zealot
Posts: 115
Karma: 8038
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: liverpool
Device: kobo glo / samsung note 10.1
|
I dont find myself angry, just disappointed. especially when someone says things like books are rubbish or boring ,that sort of closed off mind i'm glad i dont have.
|
08-27-2011, 03:31 AM | #5 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
|
08-27-2011, 04:10 AM | #6 |
Gadgetoholic
Posts: 1,462
Karma: 2731820
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Sweden
Device: Kobo Libra2, Tolino Vision 6
|
Most of my friends are non-readers. Doesn't bother me at all! Nor does it bother me if they are non-divers, non-campers, non-bikers, non-dog-owners or never ride a bicycle.
I does bother me if they judge people from their hobbies rather than their personal qualities though! |
08-27-2011, 04:19 AM | #7 | |
Wizard
Posts: 2,360
Karma: 9026681
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Colorado
Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2nd Gen
|
Quote:
|
|
08-27-2011, 04:32 AM | #8 | |
Member Retired
Posts: 1,999
Karma: 11348924
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Limbo
Device: none
|
If you generalize I'd say you sound condescending indeed but in some instances and with some people I'd have to agree with you. I know people that have a tag on their forehead reading "I'm stupid and without any cultural aspirations, all I care for are reality shows which I believe in blindly as being real and I'm a fan of the Jerry Springer show ..."
Other people have different cultural interests such as theater or arts and are not necessarily interested in books, though it would be nice if they were, I accept their choices and they have my full respect. Quote:
|
|
08-27-2011, 04:33 AM | #9 |
Gadgetoholic
Posts: 1,462
Karma: 2731820
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Sweden
Device: Kobo Libra2, Tolino Vision 6
|
<building a tower of soap boxes and climbing up>
Actually I'm getting quite upset over here now that I read the topic starter post a bit more thorough. It's extactly that kind of attitude that makes some people look at us "readers" as boring nerds or geeks or whatever would be the appropriate English term. My friends that don't read books are very smart people. The people that not only build the roads you drive on but make all the calculations involved when constuction that new bridge or tunnel you drive through. They are the ones that build your house and repair your cars. They are the ones developing the software for your computer or eReader. They are in some cases people with IQ most of us can only dream of. They know lots of things about how things work and what goes on in this world. They just don't like to read books. They have other hobbies! <climbing down from the tower of soapboxes> Last edited by Asawi; 08-27-2011 at 04:42 AM. |
08-27-2011, 04:43 AM | #10 | |
Member Retired
Posts: 1,999
Karma: 11348924
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Limbo
Device: none
|
That's strange cause the high IQ kind of people you are talking about usually read books, technical books if nothing else and if not as a passion, at least casually and from time to time or simply for their work activities.
Now if you say you know one such person shunning books for whatever reason, it would sound plausible but if you say you know a whole bunch of high IQ people involved in brain-power-demanding activities such as the ones you described, I'd say you are using hyperbole. Nothing wrong there, just pointing out Quote:
|
|
08-27-2011, 04:48 AM | #11 |
Zealot
Posts: 138
Karma: 24624
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Singapore
Device: iPad 1
|
Yes, I do know a few non-readers, mainly friends, former school-mates and such. My father isn't a reader either, but he does make sure to read the news everyday. He watches a lot more TV though.
But it doesn't anger me that people don't read, we can find other stuff to talk about. Besides, who am I to judge a person's matuarity level or intelligence based on their hobbies? |
08-27-2011, 05:00 AM | #12 | |
Gadgetoholic
Posts: 1,462
Karma: 2731820
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Sweden
Device: Kobo Libra2, Tolino Vision 6
|
Quote:
(Actually, those construction people that I know (hundreds!) make very little use of books. Books simply can't hold the kind of up-to-date information they need. They have a binder or two with documents, laptops and software and phones. They sometimes even call me...) Last edited by Asawi; 08-27-2011 at 05:11 AM. |
|
08-27-2011, 05:05 AM | #13 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Everyone has their own idea of how to enjoy themselves. I read and go for long walks in the countryside (with my Kindle, of course ). Other people go to football matches, cycle, fish, play golf, or watch TV. What does it matter as long as you're having fun and not harming anyone else?
|
08-27-2011, 05:32 AM | #14 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,262
Karma: 2979086
Join Date: Nov 2010
Device: Kindle 4, iPad Mini/Retina
|
Two of my closest friends are non book-readers; one of them is even quite passionate about it. They're both very intelligent/educated.
Also, it's not a lack of intelligence that I think is compromised by not reading; it's a lack of perspective. I'm hesitant to choose a romantic partner who does not read, though, but that's a bit different imo. Readers share a connection that I feel is important in more intimate relations. |
08-27-2011, 05:36 AM | #15 |
Are you gonna eat that?
Posts: 1,633
Karma: 23215128
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Phillipsburg, NJ
Device: Kindle 3, Nook STG
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Are readers more educated than non-readers? | user_none | General Discussions | 71 | 08-10-2011 12:05 PM |
Hello to all readers | wilgru | Introduce Yourself | 2 | 07-24-2011 05:29 AM |
Why do you have more than 2 readers? | etoile | General Discussions | 60 | 06-06-2010 05:39 PM |
Hi Readers! | LittleMe | Introduce Yourself | 7 | 02-26-2009 09:36 AM |
New to E-Readers | Bear100 | Which one should I buy? | 10 | 02-23-2009 12:29 AM |