andrij99 Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Do you ever contemplate why nobody seems to read books anymore? Read this list, I think you might enjoy it: The Top Ten Reasons Why People Don't Read Books Anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Hmm, I agree with nothing on this list! For the purposes of replying to each point, I'll just copy the entire list below. 10. With the internet, video games, movies, porn, iPods, 500 channels on satellite TV, manga, magazines, graphic novels, etc., all vying for people's attention, books are a hopelessly antiquated way to spend your free time and they simply can't compete. I don't think books are antiquated at all. That's just a lame excuse people use when searching for answers as to why they think people don't read books anymore. And there are always ebooks and audiobooks if people have a hankering to download something. 9. Why pay $20 or more for something that you will only read, and therefore only use, once? Speak for yourself! I regularly re-read books and people who don't have any intention of re-reading books could always borrow them for free from the library. 8. You can't download books in the same way you can download music, movies or video games. Er, yes you can! Ebooks and audiobooks are obviously very popular, judging from the number of websites dedicated to them. 7. Books have no buttons or flashing lights. Well, what can I say to that? You could always string some fairy lights around your bedroom if you need flashing lights And ebook readers certainly have buttons! 6. If you watch a good movie, play a cool video game or listen to some kick-ass music, talking about it is a good way to connect with your friends. If you read a book, who the hell are you going to talk to about it? The Book Club Forum of course! And there are thousands of online blogs and forums dedicated to discussing books. There is a whole world full of people who love meeting others to discuss books! 5. Books require too much of an investment of time. I invest a lot of time in reading, but for me and all others who love reading, it's well worth the effort. 4. There are so many bad books out there, that it's a good idea to let Hollywood filter out the good from the bad, and watch the movie versions. Lazy! If you're worried about bad books, read some reviews of the book before you buy it. There are many more good books than there are bad I think. And don't get us started on Hollywood's versions of books! 3. Libraries and bookstores aren't exactly the coolest places on the planet. Name me one place that's cooler! This is obviously not a person who enjoys reading as a past-time! 2. People's imaginations have been turned into mush by video games, movies, TV shows and YouTube videos. Absolutely true. But I'm not sure how that links to people not reading books? Even people with the mushiest of brains will pick up a book sometimes. 1. Four words: no more Harry Potter. True, but JK Rowling has by no means ended her writing career. And in the meantime millions of children have been inspired to pick up other books and start reading them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oblomov Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 I am sure that I can quote as many reasons why books are better than PC orientated information, but here are a few. - You can curl up with a good book just about anywhere - Books don't run out of batteries, freeze or crash. - Books do not overload you with spam and other unwanted information. - Books cannot get spies or viruses and the only cleaning they might need is a bit of dusting off. - Books don't need expensive updating after a couple of years ....to quote a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Butter Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Hardly worth wasting breath on, is it? It's a case of "If you have to ask, you'll never know". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 5. Books require too much of an investment of time. Moviesalso require an investment of time, but I don't see this list saying that movies are a waste of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ii Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Gosh, what a pile of baloney! Every single point in that list was something that can be said about any hobby! "sky diving takes a lot of time", "why jump, when you can't do the same jump more that once?"... Gosh... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierced Musie Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Books will never die! It upsets me that more and more people are turning their backs on books... but this list is completely wrong. Especially the bookshops/library being uncool. Every bookshop and library I go to seems to be packed with teenagers. Perhaps English in schools should make students read books and review them. Maybe the age of the hoodie/chav will die and bring us the intelligent nation . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Well said everyone. Kylie - I couldn't have put my points any better than you have. I don't think reading will ever die out. There will always be people who love books. Seldom do films live up to expectations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrij99 Posted February 16, 2008 Author Share Posted February 16, 2008 Thanks for all the comments! I think everyone here is failing to see the irony and satire of the list. Do I agree with all of the items on the list? Do they represent my true opinions? As someone who loves to read, no, they don't. The point of the list is to mock the increasing number of people who don't read, and to provide some insight into the reasons why they don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 All of those points are ridiculous! Whoever wrote this obviously wasn't thinking about it very carefully! I don't honestly think that someone can have these reasons not to read. People who don't read just don't have the desire, or are too lazy. That's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ii Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Thanks for all the comments! I think everyone here is failing to see the irony and satire of the list. Do I agree with all of the items on the list? Do they represent my true opinions? As someone who loves to read, no, they don't. The point of the list is to mock the increasing number of people who don't read, and to provide some insight into the reasons why they don't. That's no irony, and it sure is not a satire! And if you look at the other lists in the site, it's not about making fun of the lists they make, it's about making lame, predictable jokes about random things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maureen Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 9. Why pay $20 or more for something that you will only read, and therefore only use, once? Well, food is the same - only eaten, and therefore only used once! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nici Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Very good point Maureen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oblomov Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Well, food is the same - only eaten, and therefore only used once! Right! Why have a Lobster Thermidor when you can make do with a banana? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icecream Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 5. Books require too much of an investment of time.Moviesalso require an investment of time, but I don't see this list saying that movies are a waste of it! Exactly what I was thinking. What is on tv these days worth watching, yet people spend meaningless hours glued to it. Give me a book anyday over that. All of those points are ridiculous! Whoever wrote this obviously wasn't thinking about it very carefully! I don't honestly think that someone can have these reasons not to read. People who don't read just don't have the desire, or are too lazy. That's it. You have hit the nail on the head there Echo. The list does say one good thing, that people in today's society are getting lazy. It is part of the easy, want it all culture we are living in. It is easier to switch on the tv, or watch a movie than to read a book, just like lots things are becoming easier. It is not always a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Library Nook Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I love your responses on this thread! I am biased I know but how can you not love books and reading lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisman Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 You might find the following interesting as well. It relates to the UK though rather than the US. http://www.juneaustin.co.uk/readinghabits.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstykat Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I would just like to say, without getting too political, that people don't read anymore because life is 'too busy'. This is a real shame because reading expands your mind, creativity, broadens your horizons and outlook on life. You can go to amazing places - all over the world,any era and any culture and get totally lost. You can read something that is not of your usual opinion and see things from a different perspective and even if you still don't agree with what you have read, you have at least experienced that point of view, which, I think, makes you a broader and more wholesome and intellectually balanced person. We must encourage any young children we know to learn to read and to learn to love to read. They will learn so much - not to mention be able to communicate better and learn to debate and learn to see the world through different eyes. It is all too sad that all they know now a days is how to play on an X-Box or PS2 etc. They feed so much stodge into their brains with computer games and gormless tv. It is sad to watch them be cheated liked this because they are not encouraged as they should be. Rant Over !!!!!!!!!!!:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Nicely put Kirstykat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisman Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 And agree 100 percent. Books should enlighten and educate - games player do nothing of the sort, and neither does television - games may exercise the body, but not the mind ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oblomov Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 games may exercise the body, but not the mind ! I am sorry, but that is manifestly untrue. In fact, physical excercise is a very good therapy for stress and even depression to some extent. Games do help to focus one's mind a lot better and give that "feel good" feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisman Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 I am sorry, but that is manifestly untrue. In fact, physical excercise is a very good therapy for stress and even depression to some extent. Games do help to focus one's mind a lot better and give that "feel good" feeling. Was only expressing my opinion - working for an electrial retailer that sells these things, most of the games that we do seem to revolve one way or another around violence - which may be a form of education, but the sort I would want for my kids if I had any ! Anyway, who said anything but physical exercise being bad for you - read my reply again, and you will see that I didn't ... As one who walks on a regular basis and goes to the gym, I know the benefits all too well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oblomov Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Was only expressing my opinion - working for an electrial retailer that sells these things, most of the games that we do seem to revolve one way or another around violence quote] I beg your pardon! I misunderstood what you meant by "games"! I know nothing about computer games and don't want to, thank you; I would bite my own tongue rather than even suggest that computer games help to focus one's mind! I meant outdoor games like cricket, football, basketball, hockey and so on. Of course, there are indoor games like Chess that are intellectual, but heaven forbid, no PC games! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisman Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 No harm done Oblomov - don't worry about it - I have things on my mind at the moment, so please accept my apology as well if I spoke out of turn ! Didn't want to upset anyone ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oblomov Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Didn't want to upset anyone ... You have not upset me at all. Quite the contrary in fat, realising that there is yet another like minded person. How about a drink sometime? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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