Why is reading literature shoved down my throat by lit and the media and "educated society" as something I have to do or else I'm a stupid and bad person? It seems like a marketing gimmick to me. If I sat and read all day then I'd have no money. But society wants me to use my limited free time to read while telling me that it makes me a more valuable person.
As if "muh human condition" has to be learnt from books written by the same sections of society (the ones with access to the media-publishing-academia industrial complex). (inb4 /lit/ moves the goalposts about why they read books)
It seems like a big scam to me. lit is a bunch of delusional people who want to venerate literature and publishing companies either to gain pseudo intellectual cred or in the vain hope that they'll be published one day.
Also many novels are exercises in narcissism or self indulgence by the author. But because it's packaged and distributed by a publisher then I am supposed to care or else I'm dumb. What if I don't give a shit about Dostoevsky's spiritual or moral views? Hume already showed that none of it is based on logic (see the Münchhausen trilemma). Anyone can choose the axioms they want.
oo boy
neck yourself
Society 1billion percent would rather you not read.
The return on big Mac's soda, sports, action hero movies and vidya is much higher.
Ideally you work until you almost pass out, go to a restaurant watch the game and spend all your money, go home jerk off to cuck porn, watch tv and play vidya until your to tired to think when you go to bed, collapse, wake, and repeat.
>>8073989
you dont need to buy books haha hole in your reasoning
Except most authors worth reading were dead long before the existence of our modern publishing industry.
>>8074016
Also this. I get made fun of even by my friends for reading. Reading is not "normal." You are praised for knowing things, but ironically NOT for setting aside the time to learn them. I think this is why hipsters with entry level lit experience are so highly praised; it seems like they know a lot, but they don't spend all day reading.
>>8073989
Reading is shoved down your throat because it is still the main indication of a civilised society, and the main way it is able to keep functioning.
You also suggest that the thousands of years of accumulated writing can be disregarded because it isn't necessary in order to learn about the world. If you examined this notion for one moment then you would see your absurdity. History books alone have much to teach us about our current world. Literature teaches us about cultures and how others relate; and so it improves our understanding and empathy. It is the same case for journalism, which is arguably literary.
Moreover, if you don't like certain books then don't read them, and stop moaning.
>>8073989
I think that university is pushed down our throats more than reading in general. It seems that not having a degree gathers more condescension than not reading books.
>>8074016
This. Modern society wishes you didn't care about reading, but unfortunately for it, it is probably the only real way to learn things and to think for yourself.
>>8073989
Your post gave me bone cancer.
>>8074291
I agree with him.
The current market for writing is currently in self-help, bios and histories.
It's reflecting the societal trends caused by the media you're talking about.
>>8074291
Yeah but I've been to University and no one there reads
>>8074204
This is a common theme on /fit/, too. People admire a good physique until they learn about how much effort it takes to achieve it. Nobody respects work and effort because they render any achievement "unnatural." As if Nobel Prize winners and Olympic gold medalists alike just so happen to show up and take home their rewards, then go back to the same life "everyone else" has.
>>8073989
Do you want me to tell you a secret?
Lean closer.
Closer.You don't have to do something that you don't want to just because some people on an anime imageboard told you to.
>>8073989
>Münchhausen trilemma
Needs more Heidegger. Hell, even Kant would suffice. Or suicide.
>(see the Münchhausen trilemma)
i see you have returned to the scene of your crimes
>>8077584
N-n-n-no! I have a right to have people not say things that offend me!
>>8073989
