People who dont read books

mariano rivera

Just the last few days in work. 4 or 5 lads who i work with, all with 3rd level qualifications who DO NOT READ Books.



As in the have never picked up a book to read for pleasure


:eek:

The reasons being:

- No time
- One fella said he did read Roy Keanes book but no other and he insisted he never read another book.
- Its boring

They actually were proud of this. (Personally would be embarrassed)


As i said these are all (apparently) educated people


(Dear Mods, I cant put this on the books boards as people who dont read books obviously dont read the books board)

newbie2

Are you saying that if you're educated you should read books?

NoQuarter

OP tell me a hobby you dont do so I can express some outrage please. SCUBA diving? You dont? Outrageous!

1ZRed

So what's the big deal?
You don't have to read books, it doesn't make you any less intelligent than someone who does

brummytom

Everyone's got their own vices. Some people like drinking, watching tv, playing music, enjoying socialising. Boring people like books.


Just because they're presumably intelligent doesn't mean they have to parade it by going 'LOOK AT ME, I READ BOOKS. I'M SO CLEVER!!!'.
I've a few good friends at Oxbridge, and they don't read for fun, they actually enjoy themselves.

Gummy Panda

There is a lot of forms of entertainment fighting for our leisure time. These guys just prefer the others over books. Thats all

I have a kindle and read books but I do go through phases were I can't be arsed. Keep meaning to read a Game of Thrones

ScumLord

I don't read fictional books because they're nearly all crap. Most books and films these days are just retelling the same old stories from a slightly different perspective. At this stage you really can judge a book by it's cover.

Tombi!

See, the OP is a nerd. He's one of those people who sit in the basement all day with his hi-fi and his boobtube and his instant pizza-pie.

Yes, I did butcher the quote to make a joke, so sue me.

Jesus Wept

There is a massive thumbing of noses in the air regarding reading. Get over yourself imo. If you enjoy it great, it doesn't make you a superior human or other people worthy of your contempt, mockery or disbelief.

I'm not really interested in fiction anymore but I'll still read books that are related to my interests.

Wibbs

I read non fiction books a lot, but never fiction. I've read maybe 4 or 5 fiction books in my life. Can't get into them.

Plus many 3rd level qualifications are surprisingly non indicative of intelligence beyond a pretty basic level. Even the really high level degrees that require serious intelligence to achieve can sometimes make for very narrowly focused individuals that have little enough interest beyond their field. I knew a maths genius, real Beautiful Mind stuff, who had remarkably little general knowledge. Lovely man, but not one you'd invite to a pub quiz.

mauzo

None of my siblings read, I practically eat books.

No biggie

IrishExpat

newbie2 wrote: »

Are you saying that if you're educated you should read books?

Most definitely so. I hope that we've moved on from the old paradigm that you study for one specific period in your life and make do with you have acquired in Uni (for example).

I see the brain as any other muscle; if you don't actively challenge it - with passive reading, at least - it can almost lose power (atrophy?).

And reading should be an absolute priority for everyone. Up there with the need to speak more than one language - I've strong opinions on that one, but for another thread.

Stercus Accidit

There are plenty of other options to reading books these days, how does reading 50 shades of sh1te or Harry Potter mark someone as more intelligent than someone who, I dunno, reads the internet, wikipedia, forums, etc. etc.

It's very easy to not read books, they don't have a monopoly on information, and have become a status object now for some, who have to be seen to be reading, no matter what it is.

Dont be at yourself

Let's face it; any half-decent book will be made into a film which will likely replace all the boring bits with explosions and boobies.

Where To

Even mooses read bookses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5035TY5RSpg

Davidius

Wibbs wrote: »

I knew a maths genius, real Beautiful Mind stuff, who had remarkably little general knowledge. Lovely man, but not one you'd invite to a pub quiz.

That's because to a mathematician such facts are "trivial".

Madam_X

ScumLord wrote: »

I don't read fictional books because they're nearly all crap.

well it's not like you *actually* know whether they're all crap but if you prefer factual to fiction, more power to ya.

If people genuinely haven't an interest in reading books, fair enough. If they say they don't in order to appear "cool" then they're laughable though.

I think it's fair enough to question why people wouldn't read books - it's not necessarily looking down on people.

frozenfrozen

tinly veled i cn read tred

ScumLord

Onixx wrote: »

well it's not like you *actually* know whether they're all crap but if you prefer factual to fiction, more power to ya.

I have read fiction from time to time and I am currently learning film making which has storytelling at it's core. Once you start researching storytelling you'll find it's become quite formulaic because the sole intention of writing the story is to make money or at the very least have it become somewhat popular.

AnonoBoy

syndeyfife wrote: »

None of my siblings read, I practically eat books.

No biggie

I don't know about that.

If people don't like books that's one thing but you don't have to consume the poor bastards.

OMARS_COMING_

What does having a 3rd level qualification have to do with reading books

Ficheall

ScumLord wrote: »

I don't read fictional books because they're nearly all crap.

Ah now. I couldn't care less whether anyone else likes reading books, or what they're into or whatever, but that is one hell of a statement.
It's not even necessarily untrue - there is certainly a mountain of ****e out there. The same attitude could be applied, though, to music or films or posts on an internet forum - but you wouldn't ignore the entire medium because of that, would you?

frozenfrozen

Ficheall wrote: »

Ah now. I couldn't care less whether anyone else likes reading books, or what they're into or whatever, but that is one hell of a generalisation.
It's not even necessarily untrue - there is certainly a mountain of ****e out there. The same attitude could be applied, though, to music or films or posts on an internet forum - but you wouldn't ignore the entire medium because of that, would you?

i tried music once it's over-rated IMHO

Agricola

Its all very well to say "Screw you OP, just cos I don't bother with your hobby doesnt mean im not smart n' dat, right?".... But the point is that people who read regularly / widely, are generally more interesting people than those who don't. They usually have a better knowledge of history, science, literature etc etc. Those who stick just to works of fiction seem to have better vocabularies than most. I have a friend who only reads the back of corn flakes boxes. If you throw in a long word into conversation, he looks like I've asked him to explain particle physics. I have another friend who devours novels by the boatload. He throws out words that have me looking like Ive been asked to explain particle physics.

There are a few posters, Wibbs springs to mind, whose breath of knowledge on a variety of subjects doesnt just come from sitting in watching reality TV every night. If I had to choose to a have a pint with someone like that, or a person who only read Roy Keane's autobiography, there wouldnt be much of a choice.

juan.kerr

I read for pleasure but most of my friends and work colleagues don't. My sister does my brother wouldn't dream of it. The 3 of us are educated to post graduate level.

ScumLord

Ficheall wrote: »

Ah now. I couldn't care less whether anyone else likes reading books, or what they're into or whatever, but that is one hell of a generalisation.
It's not even necessarily untrue - there is certainly a mountain of ****e out there. The same attitude could be applied, though, to music or films or posts on an internet forum - but you wouldn't ignore the entire medium because of that, would you?

I'm not so much ignoring it as there's just nothing there that sparks my interest any more, and I would say the same about music and films. Music has become formulaic, there's been nothing new since electronica was popularised in the 90s. Films have become so formulaic you can see the entire film in the trailer. We're all familiar with the same threads coming up on boards over and over again too, this all becomes painfully obvious as you get older and the "new smell" of youth wares off. Popular culture as a whole just becomes redundant as they're only trying to sell the same old crap to young people that haven't seen it yet.

MagicMarker

brummytom wrote: »

Everyone's got their own vices. Some people like drinking, watching tv, playing music, enjoying socialising. Boring people like books.


Just because they're presumably intelligent doesn't mean they have to parade it by going 'LOOK AT ME, I READ BOOKS. I'M SO CLEVER!!!'.
I've a few good friends at Oxbridge, and they don't read for fun, they actually enjoy themselves.

This is as bad as the OP tbh.

Only boring people read books and people who don't have fun instead.... Riiight.

Holocene

frozenfrozen wrote: »

i tried music once it's over-rated IMHO

Pitchfork once reviewed the history of music in its entirety. Gave it a 6.8

http://www.theonion.com/articles/pitchfork-gives-music-68,2278/

KenSwee

mariano rivera wrote: »

Just the last few days in work. 4 or 5 lads who i work with, all with 3rd level qualifications who DO NOT READ Books.



As in the have never picked up a book to read for pleasure


:eek:

The reasons being:

- No time
- One fella said he did read Roy Keanes book but no other and he insisted he never read another book.
- Its boring

They actually were proud of this. (Personally would be embarrassed)


As i said these are all (apparently) educated people

All of the reasons above are just a sign of the times. 50 years ago, very few households had any type of TV so Radio and print were the main sources of entertainment and news. 50 years before that, there was just print. 50 years before that, there was guy shouting in the streets in some parts of the world.

Nowadays, reading is more for pleasure rather than a necessity. But to not read a book is not a sign of ignorance or stupidity. It's mostly just lifestyle. I never play board games or use a game console but does that make me a more or less intelligent person? No. I do read but not very much. I like to get information from books but to be honest, I'm always going back to them for the same reference.

I am judging by your post, that you really enjoy reading and consider it important. I do too but I know it's not everybody's cup of tea. Are you implying that it is a good judge of intelligence over other forms such as the Internet, newspapers, TV or Radio?

If so, I think that's just silly and bit behind the times.

ScumLord

Agricola wrote: »

Its all very well to say "Screw you OP, just cos I don't bother with your hobby doesnt mean im not smart n' dat, right?".... But the point is that people who read regularly / widely, are generally more interesting people than those who don't.

I don't see how reading fiction is going to make you interesting. Scientists, astronauts and generally people who are experts at things and have real knowledge to pass on are interesting, people who read fiction can only talk about fictional things. Having a conversation about Harry Potter or the new Borne film isn't interesting at all.

It's all a matter of opinion in the end but talking about fictional books isn't going to be an interesting conversation in my opinion.

brummytom

MagicMarker wrote: »

This is as bad as the OP tbh.

Only boring people read books and people who don't have fun instead.... Riiight.

I don't understand the mentality that people who read books are amazing, intelligent, interesting, rounded individuals. It's nonsense. Mind you, the term 'books' is far too broad.

People who read a wide variety of non-fiction books usually are interesting; but I find avid readers of fiction to be very insular, introverted and yes, boring, people.

AnonoBoy

brummytom wrote: »

People who read a wide variety of non-fiction books usually are interesting; but I find avid readers of fiction to be very insular, introverted and yes, boring, people.

I generally find generalisations to be general.

I also generally find teenagers to be younger than me.

MagicMarker

ScumLord wrote: »

I don't see how reading fiction is going to make you interesting. Scientists, astronauts and generally people who are experts at things and have real knowledge to pass on are interesting, people who read fiction can only talk about fictional things. Having a conversation about Harry Potter or the new Borne film isn't interesting at all.

It's all a matter of opinion in the end but talking about fictional books isn't going to be an interesting conversation in my opinion.

Depends on the books you want to talk about. Some deal with themes that are interesting to talk about, some don't.

MagicMarker

brummytom wrote: »

I don't understand the mentality that people who read books are amazing, intelligent, interesting, rounded individuals. It's nonsense. Mind you, the term 'books' is far too broad.

People who read a wide variety of non-fiction books usually are interesting; but I find avid readers of fiction to be very insular, introverted and yes, boring, people.

And you have a right to your immature, naive and narrow minded opinions.

brummytom

AnonoBoy wrote: »

I generally find generalisations to be general.

I also generally find teenagers to be younger than me.

That's fair enough. I should've known better than to say anything against bookworms on this website.


Also, 'books' doesn't mean anything. People who read brain-rotting shite like 'Twilight' can claim to be avid readers - if those books help build a wide vocabulary then I'm an octopus.

marshbaboon

It depends what type of books you're reading.

You can't exactly compare Celia Ahern to Stephen Hawking now can you...

Bipolar Joe

OP, you sound like a really annoying person.

I read, sure, but I'd rather be listening to music or watching a movie. Not all film is titties and explosions, and not all television is reality talent contests, just like not every book is Lord of the Flies or Animal Farm. I can sit and have long, intense conversations about Michael Haneke films, or philosophical debates about the nature of sound as an art form. Don't tell me I'm a dumb shit just because I don't go through a book or two a week, just don't have a conversation with me.

AnonoBoy

brummytom wrote: »

That's fair enough. I should've known better than to say anything against bookworms on this website.

You used to be cool brummytom. You used to be cool.

Wha' happened?

brummytom

AnonoBoy wrote: »

You used to be cool brummytom. You used to be cool.

Wha' happened?

I started reading.

pennypocket

Well, I would go with John Waters on this (This John Waters not the other idiot), “If you go home with somebody, and they don't have books, don't fück 'em!”

AnonoBoy

brummytom wrote: »

I started reading.

Well thank god for that. I thought you might have got yourself a girlfriend or something equally silly.

the groutch

mariano rivera wrote: »

Just the last few days in work. 4 or 5 lads who i work with, all with 3rd level qualifications who DO NOT READ Books.
As in the have never picked up a book to read for pleasure

so what, if someone doesnt want to read, that's their perogative.

brummytom

For what it's worth, the main reason I get pissed off about people who think books are amazing is because it just seems to be nothing more than snobbishness. I don't have anything against people who read, but there's no need to parade it in a display of supposed superiority.

I took A Level English Literature, and have applied to do the same subject at University, which probably makes me look like a sadist. One thing that always annoyed me in school is that my English teachers used to constantly say "well, it's evident you enjoy reading". How is it? I have never read a book for pleasure in my life, it's just not something that interests me. As someone who doesn't enjoy reading, I find the mentality that that somehow makes me less interesting, and of a more limited vocabulary, insulting.

As I originally said in my first reply, I don't enjoy reading, I don't see the point of reading fiction to be honest. But I don't feel that by not reading, I'm automatically a reality TV show-watching, brain-dead moron.

MagicMarker

brummytom wrote: »

For what it's worth, the main reason I get pissed off about people who think books are amazing is because it just seems to be nothing more than snobbishness. I don't have anything against people who read, but there's no need to parade it in a display of supposed superiority.

I took A Level English Literature, and have applied to do the same subject at University, which probably makes me look like a sadist. One thing that always annoyed me in school is that my English teachers used to constantly say "well, it's evident you enjoy reading". How is it? I have never read a book for pleasure in my life, it's just not something that interests me. As someone who doesn't enjoy reading, I find the mentality that that somehow makes me less interesting, and of a more limited vocabulary, insulting.

As I originally said in my first reply, I don't enjoy reading, I don't see the point of reading fiction to be honest. But I don't feel that by not reading, I'm automatically a reality TV show-watching, brain-dead moron.

That's great n all, but you do yourself no favours by calling people who do enjoy reading, boring.

It's a tad hypocritical don't you think?

littlefriend

brummytom wrote: »

I find avid readers of fiction to be very insular, introverted and yes, boring, people.

Jesus, what a thing to say.

pennypocket

That may be the case with you individually, but really, books are the shít. Can't understand the mentality of doing an English degree but finding no pleasure in books. Seriously wasted on you.

*Directed to Brummytom @ 20.13*

ViveLaVie

brummytom wrote: »

For what it's worth, the main reason I get pissed off about people who think books are amazing is because it just seems to be nothing more than snobbishness. I don't have anything against people who read, but there's no need to parade it in a display of supposed superiority.

I took A Level English Literature, and have applied to do the same subject at University, which probably makes me look like a sadist. One thing that always annoyed me in school is that my English teachers used to constantly say "well, it's evident you enjoy reading". How is it? I have never read a book for pleasure in my life, it's just not something that interests me. As someone who doesn't enjoy reading, I find the mentality that that somehow makes me less interesting, and of a more limited vocabulary, insulting.

As I originally said in my first reply, I don't enjoy reading, I don't see the point of reading fiction to be honest. But I don't feel that by not reading, I'm automatically a reality TV show-watching, brain-dead moron.

So...you don't enjoy reading and you don't see the point of reading fiction but you applied to study English in college. Wut?!

Giselle

brummytom wrote: »

I find avid readers of fiction to be very insular, introverted and yes, boring, people.

If you're basing your opinion on fans of Twilight, thats fair enough.

Have you met everybody who reads every genre of fiction?

Madam_X

Ah look, this "People I know who read a lot/dont read a lot" stuff is just childish bollox and thinly veiled insulting. Inverse cultural snobbery seems to be "in" too, from people who would have sneered at people into populist stuff five years ago. Just like and do what you want but patting yourself on the back and criticising others smacks of arrogance, whether you're an intellectual or long for a jersey shore life.
Personally I like to tap into each type of culture. Those magazines with stories from women who were nearly killed by their vagina are a pleasure of mine. :cool:

mackg

from what I've seen how interesting someone is has fcuk all to do with their taste in books. an awful lot of really interesting people, probably the most interesting ones are those that have learned from their own life experiences. however listening to someone boast about how they read is just as boring as listening to someone boast about how they have never read a book.