Now see this notion of virtue signaling has been around a while, one is surprised that your aquaintance didn’t have a faux door to the wine cellar covered in leather bound books. Well as General Paul Van Riper USMC (Ret) reminds us mere mortals “grab a book and get busy.”
“… asked me to help her find a set of antique leather bound volumes so that she might, with the aid of glue and table saw, convert them into a mantlepiece display.”
One of the most horrifying scenes I ever encountered in a science fiction novel was one by an author whose earlier efforts I'd enjoyed (off the top of my head I no longer remember who it was). The horror was the idea of using the amazing optical and computing power of modern technology to scan an entire research library ... by first putting all the books through an industrial woodchipper and then "reading" and "reconstructing" the page fragments virtually. "The operation was a success, but the patient died", taken to a whole new level of historical and cultural nihilism.
I’m trying to figure out how you can be and “elite undergraduate” and eschew reading…I’ve mentored and tutored young people for 30+ years and with the “RISE OF THE SCREENS” serious thoughtful reading has not only declined but is seen as a chore not worth the effort. As an undergrad I did nothing but read….BUT we were expected to write a lot too. At least one 30+page paper for each course (4-5 classes was normal load) Plus there were additional outside readings beyond the text books. In my freshman year I was given probably 10-15 page list of books (single spaced) I was to have expected to have read by the time of my oral exam in Political Science (I was a double major so I had a list for History too.) We were responsible for having read them all. One of the questions in your oral exam was always at least one or two books picked at random off that list…
A liberal education is supposed to teach you to be able to read, write, think, and speak critically over a broad range of topics…How can you do that if you don’t read?
Now see this notion of virtue signaling has been around a while, one is surprised that your aquaintance didn’t have a faux door to the wine cellar covered in leather bound books. Well as General Paul Van Riper USMC (Ret) reminds us mere mortals “grab a book and get busy.”
Victor Hugo could not shut up about anything once he got started on it.
Reading is good, more reading is better.
“… asked me to help her find a set of antique leather bound volumes so that she might, with the aid of glue and table saw, convert them into a mantlepiece display.”
😱
One of the most horrifying scenes I ever encountered in a science fiction novel was one by an author whose earlier efforts I'd enjoyed (off the top of my head I no longer remember who it was). The horror was the idea of using the amazing optical and computing power of modern technology to scan an entire research library ... by first putting all the books through an industrial woodchipper and then "reading" and "reconstructing" the page fragments virtually. "The operation was a success, but the patient died", taken to a whole new level of historical and cultural nihilism.
Outstanding, Bruce! We read because we love the story, the conflict, and the characters! When we make it mandatory and analytical, we destroy the joy!
All yes to above
Reading past today’s talking points is a path to discomfort and being permanently topped out as “B” student.
…and the author knows it.
I’m trying to figure out how you can be and “elite undergraduate” and eschew reading…I’ve mentored and tutored young people for 30+ years and with the “RISE OF THE SCREENS” serious thoughtful reading has not only declined but is seen as a chore not worth the effort. As an undergrad I did nothing but read….BUT we were expected to write a lot too. At least one 30+page paper for each course (4-5 classes was normal load) Plus there were additional outside readings beyond the text books. In my freshman year I was given probably 10-15 page list of books (single spaced) I was to have expected to have read by the time of my oral exam in Political Science (I was a double major so I had a list for History too.) We were responsible for having read them all. One of the questions in your oral exam was always at least one or two books picked at random off that list…
A liberal education is supposed to teach you to be able to read, write, think, and speak critically over a broad range of topics…How can you do that if you don’t read?