09-18-2012, 10:29 AM | #16 |
Philosopher
Posts: 2,034
Karma: 18736532
Join Date: Jan 2012
Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2 gen, Kindle Fire 1st Gen, Kindle Touch
|
I don't know when fiction was invented, but for untold ages, fiction has been central to humanity. It is at least as old as cave paintings: no one without fiction could have painted them. You must imagine what is not in order to paint them. To plan requires imagination, which is the root of fiction. We don't hunt by instinct, we learn, imagine and plan.
Non-fiction is good, it gives us information. Fiction exercises the imagination. It shows us other possibilities. Some people deride the reading of fiction, but they probably get their fiction from TV. |
09-18-2012, 10:36 AM | #17 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,594
Karma: 21245891
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Canada
Device: Kobo Libra h20, Paperwhite 2017, Phone & Tablet w Moonreader
|
I like fiction because it is a great art form. A great way to make a parable. It kind of illustrates how, while we are obviously all different, we are also all the same. Even in stories I don't like, I sometimes find a hint of personality quietly slip into a character that I can relate to.
My tastes in what I like, in fiction are hard to nail down, but there is so much on line to read and broaden my horizons. I like tv shows and movies etc, but sometimes I want to turn off the cacophony and just let my imagination quietly be exercised. |
Advert | |
|
09-18-2012, 11:22 AM | #18 |
Philosopher
Posts: 2,034
Karma: 18736532
Join Date: Jan 2012
Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2 gen, Kindle Fire 1st Gen, Kindle Touch
|
Some people are mystified when a story that doesn't have the best prose becomes popular. It's because the story is always what people have been after. Great prose can enhance a story, but great prose without a great story falls flat.
|
09-18-2012, 11:25 AM | #19 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,360
Karma: 9026681
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Colorado
Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2nd Gen
|
|
09-18-2012, 01:28 PM | #20 |
The Boy With 1000 Stories
Posts: 11
Karma: 500980
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Device: Nexuz 7
|
Part escapism, part feeding my imagination, creativity (If I started playing with action figures in public people would think I was nuts. Reading fiction is one of the only socially acceptable ways to nurture your imagination)
|
Advert | |
|
09-18-2012, 03:20 PM | #21 |
temp. out of service
Posts: 2,787
Karma: 24285242
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Duisburg (DE)
Device: PB 623
|
Short answer: because there's no need to read reality;
We're deeply stuck in it. (except people knowing a very generous drug dealer or pharmacist ) |
09-18-2012, 03:25 PM | #22 |
Philosopher
Posts: 2,034
Karma: 18736532
Join Date: Jan 2012
Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2 gen, Kindle Fire 1st Gen, Kindle Touch
|
We're stuck in *a* reality. But each of us has only a worms-eye view of the world. Non-fiction gives us facts, fiction gives us perspectives.
|
09-18-2012, 03:44 PM | #23 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
Posts: 35,872
Karma: 118716293
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire
|
In answer to the OP.
Because we dream. We're wired for fiction. Because we are sentient and use it to survive. We're wired for fiction. |
09-18-2012, 03:57 PM | #24 |
Guru
Posts: 748
Karma: 3942770
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Michigan, USA
Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite (Don't use Nook anymore)
|
I'll never actually have a chance to live in the worlds and times of the characters I read about, but it's as close as I can get. And I like it.
|
09-18-2012, 04:09 PM | #25 |
Banned
Posts: 1,118
Karma: 3111746
Join Date: Oct 2011
Device: Kindle & little green monster
|
|
09-18-2012, 04:38 PM | #26 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,230
Karma: 7145404
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southern California
Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+
|
Many of the reasons given but I also like to absorb some of the best authors' non-fiction research, as fed through narrative. I'm thinking of locations around the world, scientific theories, historical figures, etcetera. I do read non-fiction but I enjoy fiction more.
|
09-19-2012, 01:49 PM | #27 |
Wizard
Posts: 4,812
Karma: 26912940
Join Date: Apr 2010
Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet
|
I read fiction mainly because I really like to read fiction. I sometimes get a huge endorphin rush when I start a book by an author I like. I seem to recall my mouth watering on more than one occasion just in anticipation. Bizarre I know.
I particularly enjoy series with characters I find interesting and/or likeable even if they are evil villains. Like Penforhire said, I also like to accidentally learn something or gain insight into other cultures. I occasionly watch TV, play video games and read non-fiction but could survive okay without them. I could survive without reading fiction, but would I want to? Helen |
09-19-2012, 01:51 PM | #28 |
affordable chipmunk
Posts: 1,290
Karma: 9863855
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Brazil
Device: Sony XPeria ZL, Kindle Paperwhite
|
Because I still haven't found what I'm looking for.
|
09-19-2012, 02:41 PM | #29 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,451
Karma: 1550000
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Maryland, USA
Device: Nook Simple Touch, HPC Evo 4G LTE
|
What the heck else are you going to do with it?
-- Bill |
09-19-2012, 02:51 PM | #30 | |
Moron
Posts: 333
Karma: 3113890
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Southwest PA
Device: iPad 3, Galaxy Note 2, Nook ST
|
Quote:
There was a comedian years ago (don't remember who) who did part of his routine about movies (I'm sure I am not going to even come close to an exact quote, so go easy on me if you're familiar). He said that he had no desire to watch movies about relationships, because he had relationships. He wanted to watch movies like "The People Under the Stairs", which was about people that live in the basement that eat people, because he didn't have anyone that lived in his basement that ate people. |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
NYT goes trolling - "Adults shouldn't read read YA fiction" | fjtorres | General Discussions | 151 | 05-07-2012 02:11 PM |
Just read few weird scientific papers. Better than fiction. | Nexutix | General Discussions | 7 | 11-09-2011 03:09 PM |
Why do you read non-fiction? | Nada y Nadie | General Discussions | 22 | 04-10-2011 07:26 PM |
How do you read your fiction? | GraceKrispy | General Discussions | 16 | 10-01-2010 03:42 PM |
Your #1 Fiction read after 1901 (NO Sci-fi or Fantasy) | DoctorOhh | Reading Recommendations | 14 | 01-09-2010 08:46 AM |