WHAT BOOKWORMS THINK OF NON-READERS
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- čas přidán 7. 10. 2019
- My reaction to the reddit conversation about how bookworm feel toward non-readers :)
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#reddit #nonreaders #bookworms - Zábava
Clarification: I believe fiction books can give you empathy and help to enlighten a person, which is a form of knowledge, but I don’t agree with the attitude that a person is more knowledgeable by reading fiction books than a person who-as one example-stays up to date with current events by watching several different news stations. Ultimately, if I want to gain knowledge personally, I’m likely going to look to other sources that aren’t fictional.
The news are a great source of fiction, imho. I don't watch em anymore though, cuz I know all the plot twists.
If the news tells me there was a shooting, that’s not fiction, it’s fact.
@@ebnovels Some fiction is based on true events though. :D It is the way they report on the fact that makes it interesting.
Anyway, I am messing with the whole thing, I get what you are saying. I support your line of thought too.
Exactly. Agree 100%
Fictions books, fiction tv, and video games are all in the same category for me. They are all, at their core, forms of entertainment to fullfill peoples lives. Preferring one medium over another does not make you better than people who prefer another.
Bragging about how reading opens your mind, then proceeding to look down on others for not sharing your hobby... Perfection.
The irony 😆
opening your mind to X doesn't mean there's room for Y 😂
Yep we have some of the most ironic condescension you can get.
Gatekeeping at It's finest
Often "I don't have time" doesn't mean there literally isn't time, but that a person doesn't have the mental bandwidth/energy to put into reading. Which I totally get. I love reading, and I go through sometimes very long stretches where my brain is just too full of handling life to take in a story.
That’s true. Sometimes our minds are pushed so much with work and school and kids and pets that they need time to relax.
My two favorite hobbies are “not reading” and “not exercising”. I like them so much I occasionally do both at the same time.
I lolled
My brother is proud that he "doesn't read". I find that hilarious, because he does read. He reads manga. But "books are a waste of time" to him. We disagree about this regularly.
But, personally, I think it's like this: Everyone loves stories. And whether you consume them via TV, video game, book, manga, stage play or any other medium you prefer doesn't matter. Do I think there are people out there who are prejudiced against reading and might actually enjoy it a lot if they found their sort of books? Yes. But I also think that the same is true for every other medium. We all love stories. We don't all like the same way of consuming them. And that's okay.
Time wasted but enjoyed isn't truly wasted.
I like Audio dramas, my favorite so far is called "Wolf 359"
@@SeaMarble Audio dramas are great. My favorite is the once and future nerd.
@@shea2023 thanks for letting me know, I'll give it a look. Thanks for the suggestion, and I'm still new to the podcast world
You're brother seems mean.
My personal motto: "you do you boo-boo" lol being irritated at people for unnecessary reasons takes to much energy
Haha, indeed. There are way more important things to put energy in 😊
I’m usually too busy reading to worry about why other people don’t read 😂 It’s a hobby just like gaming is a hobby, or fishing, or skating or whatever you like to do in your free time. Who am I to tell someone else their hobby is irrelevant and the one I have matters more?
Exactly! I don’t understand why people feel the need to be so judgmental 😠
Downside of instant social communication I'm afraid... everyone wants to give their opinion I'm afrai- wait a minute Dang it I just did it too LOL. Hate all this opinion sharing stuff, well except your channel EB of course, cause you're the best.
Oooh i can't agree more
@@chinares fishing isn’t harmless
If I hear someone say "I don't like reading" I just think they haven't found the right book for them. There's such a great variety of books that you should be able to find something that you like, but I get why people wouldn't want to dive into the mission of finding their taste. We are forgetting that reading is just a hobby and sure it's fun and makes life richer...but it's not a necessity. My twin sister is very passionate about music and she plays the guitar and I'm sure that my lack of skill and interest makes me miss out on a lot. Granted - I could try and find a taste in music and the instrument for me...but I'm getting pleasure and richness from other sources so why bother?
Your last sentence kind of sums up my feelings as well. To each their own; it doesn’t have any impact on anyone else!
Over all great sentiment.
I'm not trying to defend everyone that's ever said "I don't like reading" but at least for me the act of reading it self is like torture and not something that I can really do. It has nothing to do with finding the right book, I've found lot's of great audiobooks that I really enjoy but partly thanks to my ADHD the act of reading is like pulling teeth.
Just a less common perspective from a book love that HATES reading :P
@@SpeedingWheelbarrow even though I said "reading" I meant every form of enjoying a book. Audiobook, e book, whatever. I think the responses that Elle read to us meant it too:)
@@ammalyrical5646 I guess to be more clear I'm sure there is probably a few things that contribute to why I really can't stand reading. Though I do think for me it really is almost completely the ADHD and maybe it just comes down to me having it worse than most "Severe Combined type ADHD". Personally I really find it physically hard to read. It feels like the nails on a chalk board thing, like it's grating on my soul.
Even with really short bit's of text like in a comic or your comment here on youtube, the act of reading raises my anxiety level and I get the feeling of knot in my chest. So in the end that really why I say that I hate reading, it makes me feel physically uncomfortable and anxious.
This is something I also tend to forget to mention but I'm a pretty bad case, due to other mental health factors, despite being diagnosed Severe Combined type ADHD I've never been treated for it in any way. Because of that experience is probably a bit exaggerated compared to others.
Now here's a little speculation based on my background in researching ADHD, fully aware I may be off the mark here and that ADHD affects men and women a little bit differently. Also since it's more common in men and that's what I happen to be most of my research is concerned with the male experience in mind. That being said, I would imagine that having Hyperactive type ADHD(formerly called ADHD) would not actually be a hindrance to reading and maybe even make reading a bit more enjoyable than it otherwise would be.
On the other hand I believe that Inatentive type ADHD (formerly called ADD) would be the one that would tend to make reading harder and potentially predispose one to the mindset of reading being work or chore-like.
Finally Combined type ADHD (literally having both types at once) and for me "Severe" as diagnosed by a psychiatrist, is probably the worst as far as reading is concerned. The hyperactivity tends to exasterbate the inatentiveness over time potentially cultivating a feeling of work just to get through even a few seconds worth of text.
Please feel free to ignore this but I'd be curious to know which type of ADHD you have just to compare to my speculations and see if I'm crazy or not :P
Either way mixing the ADHD with dislexia must have been/must be hard to cope with in many ways and I applaud you for working through it and finding a love of reading despite it.
And once again I've rambled on for too long as I tend to do. And if anyone one is like me and some how made it to this point holy crap thanks but also audiobooks are great with the caveat that a bad narrator or even a good one with a voice that is off putting to you can ruin a book in a way that traditionally reading doesn't have to deal with.
@@ammalyrical5646 I've never really looked into Dyslexia much and took it for granted that I didn't have it. IDK what exactly the symptoms are but most things that I do suffer through I always believed stem from the Combined type ADHD and bordom. I think the discomfort came from a place of being made(by myself or others) to sit still and concentrate as a kid, when that is the opposite of what I needed to do. As an adult I figure the association of reading equals discomfort just stuck around like a combo of the nocebo effect and super minor trauma maybe.
It's possible that I'm in a sort of denial but I always felt that any difficulty I had with reading could be explained by other factors. I've never noticed blurred text, unless I've been trying for a long time and my focus is strained. I've never experienced shifting letters in any direction. I figured I'm as slow a reader as I am as a combo of fighting against my attention span and not having practiced much my whole life. I think I read a total of two books in high school and college and never touched the required reading (not sure how I didn't flunk english every year TBH). Then on top of that I always had similar
struggles in learning contexts where reading wasn't a factor in the learning process. And that sort of reinforced my beleif that my issues reading were due to other factors.
While ADHD is under diagnosed in girls I'm not sure if it would be 1 to 1. Coming from the perspective of why is it even a thing biologically, ADHD can be quite advantageous for a hunter/warrior and I believe (as well as being one of the leading theories for why it never got selected out of our genes) that it would have been a desirable trait in most males up until relatively recently.
I could be wrong but I fail to see how it would be advantageous for a woman in a hunter-gatherer society or in a warrior culture where women would tend to be caretakers and educators. I'd imagine ADHD would be undesirable in that context. I haven't yet done the research on how the genetics of it work but I suppose if is passed on equally it may just be that the advantages it gave men in those cultures outweighed the disadvantages it gave women.
And if that's the case than I'd have to consede the point to you that it would be about 1 to 1 in men and women.
Now something that in some small part may very slightly contribute to my particular brand of reading/learning difficulties would be my colourblindness. Now I get it, weird logical jump, however there is one small factor that is worth looking at from a psychological standpoint.
Statistically speaking colourblindness is linked to a 30% slower reaction time, on average even when colour doesn't factor into the activity. While I do not believe that a slower reaction time would directly affect learning in any way, I do think that it's possible when you combine the struggle to learn in a school setting with the statistical likelihood that I'd be unable to answer as quickly as my peers even when knowing the answer, could potentially have a side affect of discouraging learning and feeling of pointlessness in the process. Especially when learning for example in art class would suck even though all the teachers would understand and not hold it against me in any way. I can imagine it being discouraging that even in art I'm behind everyone in ability. Carry that over to sports where reaction time is directly important. I could understand that a feeling of being worse than everyone in every metric (at least in a kids mind) could potentially lead to a phycologically harmful self image.
Now don't get me wrong I truly think that being colourblind has not made a difference(or at most made a super minor difference) in my ability to learn in a school setting or affected my sense of self worth. I do however believe that it's an interesting idea that colourblindness, especially when paired with other learning hurdles could lead to a drastically worse outcome as an adult. And I'd be really interested in looking into a study that attempted to look into the affects of reaction time on mental health in children. Though I am not aware of such a study and would imagine it would be very hard to put together.
Anyway I think I'm gonna get myself out of this ridiculous rabbit hole I seem to have written myself into :P
Sorry if the topic shift kinda went a bit off the rails there.
imagine thinking the peak of fantasy is Harry Potter
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Well, it kinda is a peak of low fantasy genre. Yes, there are much deeper and wider fantasy books but the series isn't that popular for no reason.
@@4i4kov ??
@@4i4kov what does that have to do with my mildly insulting joke?
xD I was starting this urban fantasy book, and the main character describes herself as "book nerd" and having a Harry Potter T-shirt, i just closed the book. Don't get me wrong, I love Harry Potter, I bought an overpriced wand at Universal, but it is surface level, mainstream book, not something a book nerd would pride much about :/
"I hate people in general" hahaha. Love that. Obviously this is why readers like books. Even when fictional people are being annoying, then you can close the book. Unlike the people who answered this question. Can't close the book on them!
Hahaha, exactly!
Actual quote from a co-worker. “Who likes to read and learn stuff?” I don’t get to read as much as I would like to because of work, and other things but I still love reading things and learning.
Were they being serious?
Elliot Brooks yup, they were serious. I wont say what I was thinking to be polite but I had to walk away after telling them that I love to read.
I cackled so hard when the last commenter said their favorite books were Harry Potter
😂😂😂
The next level argument is audio book listeners vs (real) readers lol
I feel very attacked🤣🤣🤣since my vision has gotten worse with age, I can't binge read like I used to, and have resorted to audio books... I always feel like a total fraud. The shame...🤓
@@kelleymarie22 oh I'm with you I don't read lol. I'm an audible guy who gets crap for claiming to read a book when I actually listened to it lol
Don't forget Ereaders :(
@@cadencev5572 I don't even have space for all the real books I have on Audible and kindle lol
@dark zeratul same here except I'm listening to WOT lol
"I've never met someone who's been prideful for not reading" You're one of the lucky ones, Elliot.
I got mocked by a stranger while waiting for a train and I was reading to pass the time. He was drunk at the time, but still he approached me and told me he didn't read anything since finishing school and he couldn't imagine reading as something he would enjoy (now read that with a self-assured tone).
This!!!!
A friend of a friend once made fun of me because I read. He then proceeded to tell me that popular and ‚cool‘ people don’t read because they‘re to busy (like him) partying and being drunk. And if I have the time to read I must clearly live a very boring and unsociable life. (We were 24 at that time so I can‘t even excuse his behaviour as a „teenage-to-cool-for-school“-Phase).
The last commentary sounded so snobby and pretentious. The way they spoke about themselves being "well-spoken" and classifying people by groups (readers and no readers) sounds ridiculous.
Haha, they don’t think less of those A people; the A people just make them lose some faith in humanity 💁🏻♀️
Elitism can show up anywhere. I like cars but i'm no mechanic but then there are car snobs, movie snobs, game snobs. everything has those pricks
I think the only "problem" I have with non-readers is the notion that "reading just isn't my thing". I totally get it: reading takes up a lot of time. If you watch a movie and don't like it, that's 2 hours of your life wasted, but you just choose another movie. If you watch a TV show you don't like, you just don't move onto the next episode. There are few people who say things like "TV just isn't my thing" - most people don't mind the act of looking at a screen experiencing a story. It may not be their preferred pastime, but most can still pick out their favorite show to recommend. But reading a 300 page book is (a 12-ish hour audiobook?) maybe 12 hours spent reading a book over the course of a couple of weeks. If you don't like that book, you're much more likely to just say "eh, reading just isn't my thing" than go waste another 12 hours on yet another book you may not like. I think encouraging people to read different genres, keep a balance between hyped vs. unknown books, discuss what they liked/didn't like about books, and try different mediums of books is a really great way to encourage people to get out of that mindset. And, of course, respecting people who truly don't enjoy the act of looking at words on a page and prefer other ways to consume stories :)
Haha, I really like that last sentence. I think it’s true a lot of people just don’t like what they have read, but for those that just really don’t like reading, they deserve respect too 😊
Some people are just slower readers too. I like to read but the average fantasy book takes me about 21 hours to get through.
I don't enjoy reading but I don't really know why. Maybe its because im really slow at it. It's very wierd because when i read i see things i like about the book and think its good but I just dont enjoy it :(
@@christianheinsen4123 I'm a slow reader too, but I love it! Maybe try audiobooks and/or follow along to the audio with the physical?
As a retired journalist who now writes mystery novels, I've had this discussion with a lot of people over the years. Essentially, especially in the United States, I've come to believe that many people do not read because we do not, as a society, value reading as a way to pass the time nor do we see it as a way to advance in our careers. It's drilled into us at an early age that if we're not multi-tasking we're failing somehow and we all know that if you're trying to do two, three, or four things at once you literally do not have time to read... When I was in school reading was required. When my son was in school it was not... instead, he listened to lectures that were often accompanied by films about a wide variety of subjects. Now, in an age where social media - including CZcams - brings us a wealth of information, stories, short films, long films, and everything in between people often ask themselves "why bother reading... I can get what I need visually." Watching something is passive, reading something is active and since watching is easier many of us choose that option. I see this with friends who, for example, have a hundred or more books on their Kindles that they've not read and likely never will because reading takes time away from the more visually stimulating aspects of their lives... social media, television, and movies. I have always read and some of the best advice I ever received came from my first editor who told me that to be a good writer I needed to spend 30 minutes a day reading something that had nothing to do with my job. Doing so, she said, would expose me to different ways of seeing the world, of thinking about life in general, and she was right. Reading has enriched my life but that's not to say those that don't read don't lead rich lives... many do. Personally, however, I like to think that as rewarding as their lives might be, they'd be just a little bit richer if they did read.
I’m so smart because I can enjoy the subtle intricacies of a series written for teenagers!!
That last one hurt me a little. My cousin (age 21) doesn't like to read, yet he is an EXTREMELY intelligent and articulate person, and just an all-around great guy. Of course, his dad and older brother are both avid readers, so maybe the gene will kick in eventually. But he'll always be one of my favorite people even if he never picks up a book again. :)
I like to think I learn something even when I read non-fiction. I "see" other peoples perspective, and depending of what kind of books I read, maybe a little politics and history. I also find strength in other peoples struggles, even if they are fictional. Broaden my mind, if you like. And - since I mainly read in english, not my native tongue, I have learned more english. I am considering reading Harry Potter in german, just to see if I can learn german by reading fiction *lol*
I don't consider people that don't read less intelligent or well-spoken, they probably have other skills or interest that I don't have. A guy I dated f.ex. could pick an engine apart AND put it together again and make it work, properly. I couldn't have done that in a million years (or books). Rather funny story though - a friend of my daughter wanted to lend Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone because of some schoolwork, so we asked if she wanted it in norwegian, english or german. She thought we were crazy *lol* We hadn't even shown her the different editions yet :D
That’s really cool that you read in other languages that aren’t your native language :D with the “learning things” remark in the thread, I got the impression they were acting as though people who don’t read fiction aren’t learning anything from any medium, which is very silly imo. Like you said, putting an engine back together is an incredible skill!
I agree, it is very silly! The same guy is a hunter and a carpenter, so in a zombie-apocalypse he would be very useful. In that scenario he would be the "intelligent one", wouldn't he? *lol*
@@buchdrache1409 I will give it a try! Norwegian and German are familiar in many ways, and I did have two classes of german in middelschool *cough* How hard can it be? *lol* Just kidding! I will try to read our german editions though, just for the fun of it :)
Questions like this are just the excuse people have to be mean and say horrible things. I love reading so much it was my escape when I was a kid and still is a happy place for me. My husband on the other hand hasn't read a book in years. What I read in a month in hasn't read in the nearly 20 years we have been together, yet he is a very intelligent man that listens to me go on and on about everything I'm reading. Why is it that if someone doesn't like what we like we feel the need to tear them down. We are all different thank god or else this world would be boring and very self righteous. Like reading don't like reading it's all good.
Jade Clifton my husband is the same way. He hasn’t read in years but he’s brilliant, he just doesn’t enjoy it and that’s ok, he still listens to me babble on and on about whatever I’m reading lol.
Yay for the hubbies mentioned! And yay for you not being judgmental like some of these individuals 😆 I’ve met smart people who don’t read much, and stupid people who read a ton. It’s definitely not the reading that determines anything other than what they enjoy in their spare time!
It's a shame that some people only want to put everyone that isn't like them down and make them feel stupid. Yay for opened minded people that understand it's ok to have differences and enjoy talking to people that enjoy different things. I'm so lucky to have a husband and daughter that opened my eyes to new things in life as I would end up always in a book. Which isn't a bad thing but it's nice to try new things too.
As a ex non reading person, I must admit, that reading is COOL!!! One of my first book was Wiedzmin (Witcher). After that GoT, Black Company and so on. Unfortunately I don't have much time to read,but books are definitely not a waste of time. Ps. For Wiedzmin behind you, you have my respect.
What fiction books teach you about the deeper issues in the world? A *lot* of them?
Dune, game of thrones, watchmen and Y the last man has given me more insight in to our world than most nonfiction books. Plus some non fiction readers have massive superiority complexes, they read a 150 page book and already walk around thinking of themselves as intellectuals.
To me, that remark seemed as though they were equating a fictional book’s content with modern events. I consider things like terrorism and school shootings to be deeper world issues.
@@ebnovels Harry Potter is certainly talking about the deeper issues in the world... Am I right? ;)
💯
I would hope anyone wanting to speak of those issues would actually research facts about them or converse with people who have gone through those things, rather than deciding the fiction books they’ve read are enough to have a strong opinion.
Please do these kind of videos more. Your sense of humor is great! I get a kick when people are ridiculous with things like "i can't live without a book"
Coming from a 3rd world country where readers are belittled for wasting their time with non academic books. This is rather amusing, thanks for another great video Elliot.
People belittling anyone for their hobbies drives me crazy!
I just now realized I've been watching your videos for over a year and forgot to subscribe. Just fixed that. Also, thank you for doing these "article breakdown" videos. They're a lot of fun to watch.
Well you’re very welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting 😄
I would say fiction makes me think about things more than TV. There are very few shows that make me think, which is fine. But even fiction reading makes me question my opinions on a regular basis, which is why I largely abandoned TV in favor of reading. But let's not base worth on hobbies, please
Just found this channel, and I'm hooked! Pretty interesting comments you read from the reddit thread. I just can't find a reason to care what other people do with their free time, and it's weird how many people seem to get judgmental over it. I will say that I have met the "proud of not reading" type person, and while I find it a strange thing to boast about, I don't lose any sleep over it.
I’ve seriously not met anyone like that-I’m so sheltered 😆 But yeah, I’m with you. Why anyone cares to put others down for the harmless things they do in their free time is beyond me.
I think reading fiction is a great way to experience different points of view and life experiences. My husband has started reading more in the last year or so and he's mentioned that it's really helped him to be able to understand people who live differently or have different beliefs than he does.
I definitely think reading can help people gain empathy 😊
I asked myself something similar a wile back and what I did was talking with my university professors and they helped me create a program to increase the reading habits of college students in my city. At the moment it's being implemented and loads of people have come to me to say hey this is great, thank you. This thought me that if I don't like something complaining is not useful, do something about it or just let people be.
I've seen a few of your videos and love your content, but it was the puffy white dog named Luna that made me hit subscribe. :)
Hi Elliot, thanks for the videos, they are great. On this subject, my two cents, I don't think that there are people that don't like reading, I think they just haven't found the right "category" :P I remember back in highschool, I hated reading every single letter of the books we were assigned. Then I found the type of book that I like, my "category" and haven't stopped reading on a regular basis since then. Thank you again for the reviews and videos. Cheers.
My ex-girlfriend was a literary snob. She was a bookworm and very smart, but she had the bad habit of looking down on other people and art forms. When I would give my opinion on a book, she would often laugh in my face or say "You just didn't get it." Glad I ended that relationship.
The one good thing that came out of that is it did encourage me to read more literature, and grow more confident in the things I do like. Overall, I don't judge anyone for liking whatever they like. I'm a big movie-buff, but I get that not everyone is. Criticizing someone by telling them "You're uneducated because you haven't read X book or seen x movie" is the worst way to recommend any piece of art to someone else and will likely make them not check it out. It's thanks entirely to BookTube (and channels like yours, Elliot :-) ) that I've discovered Brandon Sanderson.
I also disagree with the common notion that bookworms are automatically smarter than people who don't read. Yes, it's good to improve your literacy and vocabulary, but many people who don't read still show their intelligence in other ways.
I used to only read occasionally 🙈 ... then something hit my this February and now I've read 90 books this year and it's only October. I'm proud 😄
That’s awesome!!!
*Sigh*
The irony is thick with this one. As you said, people who get angry at others taking pride in not reading themselves take pride in not watching TV. Why not just let people enjoy what entertainment that they enjoy?
Different types of entertainment do different things and work for different people (as do genre within said entertainment, but that is a whole separate matter).
I personally enjoy reading, and watching the occasional movie, and playing role playing video games. I rarely watch TV series, but why in the world would I think that make me better than someone who watched a lot of series or play shooter games, but didn't care for books?
Also, 'losing faith in humanity' because someone skimmed a book. Really?
Hahaha, oh my gosh, the loss of faith in humanity part made me laugh when they followed it with, “I don’t think less of them.” And I agree with everything you said 😊
I lost faith in humanity when I came across some of the torture devices people have used in the past.
What’s skimming a book in front of that? Nothing.
I'm sitting here, wondering, how you, Daniel, and Murphy coincidentally uploaded videos about reading specifically and not about particular books. It's. . . tempting me to binge watch you three this late at night. 😆
Reading gives me so much joy, that my first reaction to people who don't, or can't read, is pity. I was absolutely stunned when I first realized that not everyone could visualize the story as they read. For some people, reading is a chore rather than a pleasure. But then, there are lots of things I can't do, or don't enjoy doing, that give some people pleasure...
My best friend is a non-reader and he's way more intelligent than me lmaooo and I was laughing so hard everytime you were making your sarcastical voice hahaha nice video as always!
Hubby and I have discussed this topic at length and the conclusion is: we can't imagine what the the complete non-reader's world must be like.
Here we are:
excited about that fight Elend and Vin had at the end of all things,
tear up every time we hear a quote from Tolkien's works,
amazed by what Mark Whatney did and what his attitude showed us about how we could deal with our own problems (not to mention the excitement The Martian reignited for the SpaceX Mars mission),
enamoured of Jane Austen's wit and beautiful use of the English language,
thoughtful about the possibilities of space after reading Ender's Game and realizing "there is no up",
depressed by the realities of war after reading The Hunger Games trilogy (and non-fiction war books),
laughing out loud at the memory of that time Jeeves let Bertie in for a speech at a girl's school.
I try to not judge non-readers. But I frankly cannot understand their lives. To live without the worlds in books - life would be too empty for me.
When you think about it we are all "readers". My hubby doesn't read much, but he loves reading nonfiction WWII accounts and encyclopedias. He also does a lot, A LOT, of research online about any product he wants to purchase. Same goes for example, people who like celebrity gossip, yes, lots of it is visual, but lots of it is written as well. So lots of people don't realize that they're "readers", just because their nose is not stuck in a book. Anyway, people need to stop being judge-y and support what brings their peers pleasure. I read, but sometimes I also watch millonare matchmaker, 🤷. I don't enjoy teen Mom, but I like trash movies like double headed shark. We all like different things. LIVE AND LET LIVE 🤗🤗
My $0.02
I have my 2 cents about the last comment. I get that it is a fair assumption that the person probably don't like people who don't read despite saying "i don't think less of them". BUT, she could also have meant that it is just easier to relate to people who share your tastes, and it would have been nice to have mentioned that. Other than that, I agree with you on most of the other comments. Hope i did not sound impolite, English is not my first language. Peace.
This is funny to me as on the flip side, my Dad told me reading is a waste of time, while he was sitting on the couch watching WWE......
I read and watch WWE. Neither pastime is a waste of my time as they bring me happiness.
@@Trail717 except for hell in a cell 2019
"Maybe they're immortal..." I love you🤣🤣🤣
I love how you bring up this subject and then poke the people who are superior. It cracked me up. I grew up with parents who grew up in the depression. My dad never read a book that I saw, but read the newspaper every day. My mother read mysteries and romances and would probably not be up to these people's standards either. Whatever. I do get frustrated sometimes that my husband doesn't read much. On the other hand, he is up on current events, etc. Plenty of room for conversations, just not about books. Maybe some of these folks need to do something else in addition to reading??
Hey does anyone know what the books with the white spine are on the middle right? I always get distracted when I see a CZcamsr speaking in front of their bookcases :)
I'm about two weeks new to BookTubers btw and I am LOVING it!!
On the topic of 'Most if not all people who claim to not have time for something really just don't want to and are using it as an excuse', in general, in this day and age for the reasonably well-off, that isn't incorrect. By and large, people MAKE time for the things that are most important to them. If, for example, I say I would exercise if I had time, when I know full-well I somehow had time to watch five hours of youtube videos, I'm using a lack of time as an excuse for something that I simply didn't want to do because I don't like it.
As for my opinion of people who don't read? I find them baffling, and my brain short-circuits for a moment as it tries to wrap itself around what is a pretty foreign concept, and I find it sad, but it's not my concern if they don't like reading, so I tend to shrug my shoulders and move on with my day relatively unbothered by it.
Lol, this video is too funny!
I’ve been a reader most of my life, and am less happy when I don’t or can’t read.
My ex husband actually tried to make me feel bad and shame me for being a reader, and reading too much.
I have pretentious coworkers that turn their nose up to what I’m reading or ignore what I try to talk about.
I’ve just learn to read what I want and keep my opinions to myself. I will find more tolerant people eventually, but for now I’m good.
I’m sorry people have been so rude to you! It’s your hobby that doesn’t have an impact on their lives in the slightest 🤦🏻♀️
Elliot Brooks exactly! I’ve come across so many hypocritical people that preach tolerance and acceptance and it gets on my nerves. Then people wonder why I’m anti social.
I agree with a lot of those who stated people who brag about not reading are annoying.
I’ve never come across that, but it does sound super obnoxious 😆
Thank you! Reading 👏 doesn't 👏 make 👏 you 👏 better. I used to be judgy like that in my teens, but I have a greater appreciation now for the variety of human experience. You can read books and get nothing out of them but entertainment (which is fine, as long as you don't look down on other people). You can watch TV and learn things from it (people who say TV is dumb should take a closer look at what the industry has to offer) and you can do neither. You can have a completely different hobby that teaches you other invaluable skills.
I love to read AND to binge watch. They’re not necessarily separated from each other
I just found your channel, and I find your take on reading refreshing. I think the idea of what is a “reader” is interesting. I’m a librarian by training. People usually have an idea in their head about what they think that is, and I usually say “I’m not that kind of librarian”. I spend a lot of time reading, but I rarely read fiction, and I also rarely read an entire book. Or even read a book. I read a lot of articles, though. Does that mean that I’m not a reader? Is reading fiction “true reading” at the expense of other forms of reading? Is it maybe a bit much to look down on people, most of whom literally spend 8-10 hours a day reading text on a computer screen, to be excited about reading more text when they’re not working because “omg books?” I mean, I do (although, again, not books usually), but who can blame that “non-reader” for preferring not to read in their free time?!
I love reading, love watching reality TV and love growing plants ..
I just like being alone. And I have to make time for that.
I think everyone should do more things that they love. It is good for your mental health (:
Well... non-readers are obviously a lesser species :p :D
this type of forum is what should be called "echochamber"
Loved this video! 😂😂😂
Only thing is I certainly have meet a fair few people who have taken "pride" in the fact that they haven't read book since in school.
Lots of people have mentioned that! I never have, but I can definitely believe it 😆
As a writer my least favorite moment is telling a new friend that i write books and having them reply "I don't read"
That's a real smack in the face for sure. Like telling me the thing I do has no value.
Otherwise I'm just confused and baffled by people who don't read. I suspect if they practiced they'd enjoy it, but it's your life Haha.
I have encountered a few people who are lowkey proud of it which is even more baffling.
I belive that you can actually learn alot by reading since the way charocters are written and theyer choices can be very helpfull however that can very well be done by the means of every form of media i would say its a choic you can enjoy a fun movie or a fun book.
This is a phenomenon that I didn't really experience until adulthood. Once I started getting into reading in a big way at around 10 or 11 years old, I had always had friends who were avid readers. Then as an adult I finally met and made friends with people who just don't enjoy reading and it blew me away at first. Even the woman I eventually married is not that big of a reader. I have brought her around somewhat but she has to be really into it.
I am by far the biggest reader in my friend group and it never comes up as an issue when discussing any topics, whether deep or just fun trivial stuff. I pull a lot of my examples or interesting concepts from the books I read (mostly sci-fi and fanatsy) and they from whatever else intrigues them. If anything, having different sources of entertainment and hobbies makes the discussions more interesting and includes more perspectives.
Thank you! I appreciate this so much. The idea that fiction reading makes you a superior conversationalist is ridiculous to me.
I allways think about cinderella. She didn’t have time to read. That’s a reality for many people. Right now in my life i have less time to read, and i gave up the television.
I used to be a person who was proud of not reading. Being made to read in school killed the enjoyment for me at a young age. When I was finally convinced to read Percy Jackson, I found a love for it. Went on to Harry Potter, Eragon, pretty much all of YA and now I’m getting into more adult fantasy and I’m so glad that I got here
Gash! I just today said that I am done with calling stuff guilty pleasure because a person should be able to enjoy stuff that they like. Those people you read about are exacetely the ones that would make someone feel bad for liking the romance book or listening to that pop song.
I agree that you don't "gain" knowledge by reading fiction and that they're important for building empathy. I just wanted to add that reading fiction isn't just critical for empathy and perspective, but also for gaining the ability and understanding that people evolve and change over time. Fiction is also a creative expression for people to communicate deep, unsettling, or controversial truths about our world. There are great (and yes some are controversial) fiction books that have served as catalysts for social change including (but certainly not limited to) Grapes of Wrath, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and yes even, Pride and Prejudice. Fiction isn't just a creative and fun outlet, it can also be a vehicle to spread new ideas, whether they be for good or ill. As readers, it's our job to discern not just the quality or entertainment value of the story, but the lessons and messages about society contained therein.
I used to read a book within days, but now it takes me forever because I can't focus.
harry potter is life. i love your channel c:
I've never thought that much of them in that way, I just always wondered what they do in their free time.
Lol I reading but also love talking about pop music and twitter. Does that make me a A- or B+?
But most people who say they don't like reading haven't found the right genre for them. My bestfriend didn't like reading for a long time until I introduced her to science fiction, thriller, and mystery novels. Now she loves it!
my best friend hates reading. hes hated it ever since ive known him (grade 6) and were now seniors in high school ive tried talking him into trying to many times to no avail lmao
These people sound worse than people who watch a lot of reality tv. People who watch reality tv don't typically walk away believing that they're better than everyone that doesn't.
One of my friends told me and my other friends that he hasn't read a book since 8th grade (he told us this in college) and all of us were stunned. I think I was more stunned that he was able to pass high school English classes without reading the books than the fact that he hadn't read in 5ish years. I LOVE reading and I do think it's weird that some people don't like it, but it's not everyone's taste and that's ok.
While what my non-reader medical friends say about my hobby: "You still have time to read??!??" or "You still like reading?????"
I get asked those questions, too. usually by people who watch TV 4-8 hours a day.
I used to think I was better than non-readers for the following reasons: people either looked down on me for reading, or believed that I was better than them and called me a walking dictionary :)) (I kind of liked that). Also, my family used to preach reading as the best way to spend your time. While I am grateful they educated me like that, they also made me think I was a better kid than the others just because I read 8 books during summer lol.
The one that changed my perspective was my boyfriend, whom, I saw, became just as empathetic and well rounded from enjoying video games, manga, anime and movie series.
Nowadays he reads books and I watch anime and we're both more open minded when it comes to trying new things.
I do think that you gain knowledge from experiencing stories, but I don't believe anymore that the only format that makes a story worth enjoying is the novel format.
And I have to say, I DID meet people that looked proud for never reading a book, but they were all kids or teens. They probably just tried to look better in front of others by making me feel bad.
I love the discussion in this comment section
I only have one friend who is a fellow reader. I have no issue with non-readers and just do what I like lol. My issue is when the non-readers in my life ask me things like “How do you find time to read?” (In a judgmental way) or “Isn’t there better things to do with your time?”. My response is always the same, you make time for things that are important to you whether it’s going for a run, watching a certain TV show or even getting a full 8 hours of sleep lol. I need the reading for a recharge, it’s my form of self-care. I don’t judge non-readers, I love that everyone is different how boring would it be if we were all the same? Great discussion once again Elliot, you always handle these topics with Grace and humor.
Man, I’ve not encountered people like that-I’m sorry you have! That’s so frustrating 😑
I never got why people feel "cool" for not reading, like, congratz, you don't enjoy something that others do enjoy? But I feel the same way about people who judge those who don't read. That said, as somebody who has -a lot- of different hobbies, I never understood the obsession with judging others for how they choose to spent their time. Almost everything can help you develop as a person, and at the end of the day, we don't choose the things we enjoy.
Altho I do believe it's always worth giving it another shot. Maybe if you're "not a reader" you haven't found the right book? If all you ever read were the books for school, I totally get not being into it (not saying everyone has the right type of book). Just like I used to hate working out until I tried weightlifting and learned that it's super fun for me. Often we try things once and decide it's not for us when in fact, it might just be if we experience it from a different perspective or are more open for it on a 2nd try, so I always like to suggest things to people when I feel like it might be something they enjoy from my experience of what other things they like.
E.g. my bf isn't rly a reader, because he has a hard time activly deciding to sit down and read a book. I try to get him into audiobooks because he loves stories, he is just too impatient for books usually. He wants to, it just didn't work yet haha.
It’s definitely true that some people just haven’t found books they like. It’s nice that you worded it as “suggest,” because suggesting something and telling something are very different. It shows you’re a considerate person! 😊
Do you mind linking that thread? I want to read a few more of those responses and have a good laugh
www.google.com/amp/s/amp.reddit.com/r/books/comments/13x0eu/what_are_your_opinions_on_people_who_dont_read/
There ya go!
Love your “book snob voice”. Hahahahaha...
Also, I should add, at my new job, I read constantly before my shift starts, breaks and lunch; everyone notices that and they always have tell me that I’m pretty cool for reading. Like, “man, that’s good.” or “that’s pretty awesome,” etc, and I’ve been called a nerd but it’s more of a playful saying than an insult I guess.
Idk, people around have told me I’m pretty cool for reading that that my career path as a writer and a librarian is awesome
Yeah, all my coworkers know I love to read and one of them actively watches me open my owlcrate at work every time because they think its cute how excited I get over books. Maybe that's because I work at a very, very small company of only 8 people but they all have mad respect for my hobby. I mean, they also ask me to proof read everything for clarity but ....thems the breaks
I definitely agree with you!!! I mean, I like to read a lot and I don't watch much tv. Not because I feel I am too good for it, but I don't know... It is just not my prefered media or something.
However, these people just sound snobbish and frankly, Yes, being too busy is a thing. I feel they are still too young to have experienced having a full time job or having to take care after a family or anything like that (and I get that some people do that at a young age, but they do still sound kind of childish). But if you work 40-50 hours a week and maybe have a child to take care off, you might still have a few hours to yourself in a week but you may be too tired or you may want to spend that little free time in a different way and that is ok. I do not have a family to support but I did have a very busy job at some point. During this time I didn't read much. I missed it but I was really overworked and too tired really. But then, being able to pay the bills and my rent is important too. If you can't see that sometimes people have to do jobs they do not necessarily like, you actually are a bit privileged and snobby.
Also, not every book is super intelligent either. Especially on Booktube what people talk about is mostly YA and fantasy. That is definitely ok (to be fair, I read a lot of contemporary and I do not read a lot of classics that were written before 1900). But let's not pretend it is So Much More Intelligent than watching tv or a movie. Some movies or tv series are very good and intelligent things to watch as well. I often watch a series and then I learn it was an adaptation and I go and check out the book (this has been the case for the Handmaid's Tale, Call the Midwife, 13 Reasons Why, Orange is the New Black etc). Sometimes also I think the story is not that great and then I decide to just watch the adaptation. But that doesn't mean I never read anything, just that the adaptation didn't inspire me to pick up the book. And yeah, to be fair, sometimes I watch crappy reality tv. Why? Because sometimes I just want to consume something simple and funny. But that doesn't mean either that that is ALL I ever watch or that I don't read.
10:07 - 10:22 I swear to god, Elliot delivers the sickest burns 🔥
5:06 another point to this is that knowledge CAN be gained through mediums other than books. There's documentaries and a whole world of knowledge on TV, radio, CZcams, etc. So just because a person doesn't read books doesn't mean they aren't about deeper meanings and gaining knowledge, etc
Lack of time is a serious problem.
The period in my life when I didn´t have time to read was the same period I didn't have time to play games or watch tv.
That really happens.
People who brag about how much they read are the worst. They usually lie about what they've read and that's just weird to me
I always talk about the book i am reading but i don’t really mind when people talk about that i read to much or that they ask me (why are you reading?) it’s just a harmless question but it can get irritating at times but if the person starts to get on my nerves about reading to much then I can start being a little bit of a jerk but in general i try just to mind my own business
Huh. I like that first guy's response. It's an understandable comparison for me
Most people do make "I don't have the time" for an excuse.
I don't think reading is for everyone especially fiction books, if you don't enjoy it you can't force yourself to, it's a hobby, nothing to be snobby about.
In my experience the people that are proud of not reading are high schoolers who are tired of reading for class. Like they get over it as soon as the class has moved passed the book they dont like.
That makes sense; I can see that!
Wow. These people must have a lot of time of their hands to write these short essays on Reddit!
So true. It's getting on my nerves that some people look down on other people and think they're smarter than everyone because they read - and then all they read are (smutty) fiction novels, romances and fantasy. Nothing wrong with having fun reading those books, I do it myself, but just because you read words doesn't mean you're super smart and better than others.
This is hilarious! Thanks for sharing. I live in a house of non readers , my son does not like to read but gets it done. And I don’t care....lol In my mind they are just missing out on fun of building and envisioning worlds. But also I believe there is something for everybody.
I agree! I’ve met some incredibly smart, wonderful people who aren’t that into reading. Different strokes for different folks :)
Honestly, I've been both. I used to always read, then around the age of +- 16, I fell into a "mental slump" and kind of just stopped reading (along with other hobbies) now I'm slowly but surely getting back into it.
I view reading as a hobby, just like gaming and listening to music is to me. If people don't like reading, fine. I don't like gymanstics for example. It's a hobby, and people like different things. I don't think that people who read are better than those who do not.
Jesus Christ this one was amazing
Several people on my...social media outlets...would always post/share posts proudly proclaiming how they hadn't seen a single episode of Game of Thrones. This has nothing to do with actual pride in 'not' having done something, be it watching a show, or reading, or whatever; this is people who aren't part of a particular conversation, proclaiming that the would like to be part of that conversation. Or, basic attention seeking.
We can do a brief mental exercise to understand this: Myself for example, am a reader, and writer. However, I maaaybe read one book per month. I like stories, and story telling. So I play story-driven video games, watch movies and TV series, and read comics and graphic novels as well as traditional novels. I love stories, I don't care what form they come in. In all that time spent consuming story driven media...yet there are countless books/shows/games/films that I have not consumed. This goes for everyone. No one has seen/read/experienced all media. So, why narrow in on a single one, or a single type of media to proclaim proudly that you haven't consumed it? Because you want attention in this attention seeking world we've built.
Just saying, don't hate on these people because that is what they want. OR, ask them if they need a hug, because it's probably what they really need.
As a reader of nonfiction, I'm pleased with your view:)
I read and listen to books. Audio when I'm driving or doing another task I can multitask with (chores).
Reading otherwise.
It's part of how I make more time to read.
Also, Harry Potter is MG-YA fantasy not exactly brain enlarging material.
I've encountered people who take pride in not reading. These people come out and say it. It's pretty annoying.
Bruh, the way I talk or write... what I USE to always talk about? Buffy, Spuffy fanfiction(yeah I was that weird kid in HS), my love for Justin Bieber(he came out in 2009, which I was in HS), I LOVED the Hills as well... you wouldn't think I liked to read... BUT I LOVED it! and why can't I like reading AND pop music AND tv shows?!!! peoploe blow my mind man!
I think there is objective value in reading fiction. From appreciating subtle differences in style, tones, themes. There's a reason there are English classes. There's also a matter of perspective. Granted, it's up to the reader to decide the experience they're looking for. There is room for analytical thinking in tv too, but it takes less cognitive effort. That doesn't make it bad. Its different.