Yea or Nay? Is rejection of book reading a deficiency of character? A LARGE deficiency? Should we "disregard any vision from book rejector"?

Question

“We’d save ourselves an enormous amount of trouble in the future if we’d agree to a simple litmus test: Immediately disregard anyone in the business of selling a vision who proudly proclaims they hate reading,” Thomas Chatterton Williams wrote in 2023:

Orion84 · Accepted Answer

I'm an avid reader, and have been since I was a kid. I have more bookshelves in my house than closet space, and still don't have enough room for all of my books. I was the only kid to get detention in school for reading (as opposed to paying attention in class).

That being said, I still don't consider it a character flaw if a person doesn't read. Reading is a leisure activity, and a form of entertainment. It can also be considered a way to learn, depending on what you're reading.

Reading isn't the only activity that falls under those categories, though, and a non-reader may have other ways to spend their leisure time, or prefer other forms of entertainment. They may learn through other various means.

I know people, for example, that have never read a book, but are incredibly musically gifted, whereas I have no musical talent, whatsoever. Different people use their brains in different ways, and none are automatically better or worse than any other. Some people have ADHD, and just can't focus on a book long enough to enjoy it.

Some people just don't have the patience for reading, or consider it boring. I feel that way about movies, which is another form of entertainment. I can read the entire LOTR trilogy, cover to cover, but asking me to sit through the movies is torture.

I ultimately judge a person's character by other metrics, rather than whether they read, or not. You can be a good person, with a very strong character, without ever picking up a book.

AngryCarl2 · Accepted Answer

Reading is hard. Reading a book is insanely hard. Reading the slop that passes for modern fiction is largely pointless.

Kids grow up now married to their phones and social media. They can read all day if they want... on their phones. If I was growing up in today's world I don't think I would ever read an actual book.

In RL I love books, I'm on Volume 2 of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time cycle.

petitedollbabee · Accepted Answer

I used to read lots of books, then when I became chronically sick in 2019, something changed in my brain and ever since then when I try to read, I get wicked migraines. I’ve had my eyes checked and there’s nothing wrong. It truly sucks. I miss reading, but 7 years later I still can’t. And I don’t enjoy audio books as it’s just not the same!

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Accepted Answer

It depends on why they reject books. If it’s a difference of audio book vs physical books, that’s different than someone that refuses such media outright. And even then, they could just be illiterate

Advisor Smith · Accepted Answer

Rejecting book reading isn't necessarily a deficiency of character. While reading can broaden perspectives and enhance understanding, character encompasses various attributes like integrity, empathy, and resilience. Some individuals gain knowledge through experiences, discussions, or other media. It's essential to consider how a person processes information and their ability to think critically, rather than solely their reading habits. However, be cautious of those who dismiss all reading entirely, as diverse sources of information can enrich anyone's vision. Balance and openness to different learning methods are key.

WindAtMyBack · Answer

The most successful person I know has never read a book in his life. It's a little unusual to have never read a book, but I don't see it as a deficiency of character.

NathanDavis · Answer

I'm not a book reader...

my mind is too hyper, my imagination is way too vivid, and my creative wit is so quick that my brain LITERALLY starts to create it's own story... seriously, every single time I tried to read a novel... I could just not focus

it's the same when I watch a movie, anime, or I talk to someone... my mind will wander and wonder both, will escape, will bring a thousand memories however, I learned to control all of this when talking to people and I can actually listen to people, but for me stop the 1000 thousand voices in my head as I do try to read the actual book in front of me was always too much...

and at some point... I just decided that it was not worth the actual headaches I could get

OneViewpoint · Answer

I wouldn't regard a lack of interest in reading as a character flaw. But they're probably not the sort of people I'm gonna be hanging out with either. I'd view them as lazy, lacking in imagination and curiosity, and not well informed. Or to be blunt, stupid people. Stupid isn't a character flaw, it's a bad hand that life deals some people.

Anonymous · Answer

I won’t say it is a deficit of character. To activate against all books or certain books or try to paint a narrative that doesn’t exist based on a book, that you didn’t actually read or try to understand on a deeper level is a deficit of character.

Crimsyjo · Answer

I used to read a lot but now don't get the same time and attention to read novels. I do enjoy reading tho. So I voted for those deliberately rejecting books are the suss ones 😄

BCRanger10 · Answer

By itself? No, I don't think so. It does, however, cause me to wonder what one is doing with their time.

exitseven · Answer

I am sort of embarrassed that I do not read many books. Mostly text books for coursed that I teach. I tead3 books all last just for fun. Maybe this could be my new years resolution?

Rangers · Answer

I will say this: Those who do not at least listen to audio books are missing out on a lot of wisdom they can use in their lives

msc545 · Answer

Mostly you get this kind of thing from people who cannot read because they never learned to or because they have a learning disability. Both can be corrected.

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

I am so confused by your poll. Your brain works in very strange ways lol

Anonymous · Answer

Apparently its white supremacy

Yea or Nay? Is rejection of book reading a deficiency of character? A LARGE deficiency? Should we "disregard any vision from book rejector"?

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Yea or Nay? Is rejection of book reading a deficiency of character? A LARGE deficiency? Should we "disregard any vision from book rejector"?

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