How many books have you read this year?

[Tail]

I'm a bit tired of trying to explain it, but here goes: ok, writers who write for the shows gain a lot. They have to be creative. The average TV-watcher doesn't gain any 'writing'.

Anyway, TV gives you lots of information and no time to think. Good books require concentration and creativity, and they demand that time be taken to think about what is said there. Let me say right away that I cannot prove it; I don't think anybody can. However, I think that most people who enjoy reading good literature and are familiar with TV would agree (at least those 3 who are near me right now do).

 

[qwpoi]

I know stereotypes happen in books and not just tv. Which is why I likened tv to romance novels.

Commercials appear at the ends of books (if they indeed do appear at all) and can be ignored. They are also not the visual splashes that magazine ads and television commercials are. In magazines as well, you can quickly pass by them and move onto your next article. With television you have to watch the commercial or continue flipping through channels without sticking with one particular show, thus shortening one's attention span.

It's incredibly difficult to bring up issues that the advertiser might not want. Do you think that GE will let one of it's television channels air a show that may portray them in an unfavorable light? And before you say this is normal, let me tell you that there have been many suppressed documentaries/news items because it *revealed* things that GE did not want revealed. Same for the rest of the major television channels, all of which are owned by a major media conglomerate. And those are the major difficult issues. There is also the mentality that plays out in shows such as the ones I mentioned above, the subtle more insiduous ones.

It is a known fact--consult any respectable book on the state of media today--that precisely because of the fact that it reaches a wider audience, there is less diversity in programming. There are few producers and many many viewers, and the goals of these producers are to reach as many people as possible.

You say that writers try to increase readers and bring in revenue--this is so with any art form, but there is a clear distinction between the autonomy of a book writer and the autonomy of a television writer.

You seem to think that I am saying that books are utopia and television is hell. This is not so, I mentioned in previous posts a few television shows which I think are quality. I can appreciate certain aspects of television but that does not mean that I need to blindly accept it, nor does it mean that I can't see problems inherent in the publishing industry.


"In case you didn't realize, the more people read a book, the more money the writer of the book gets."


There's no need for sarcasm here, honey.


Racism, profanity, and violence can all exist in books. They can't on TV (excluding high cable channels).

They exist on TV. Television enforces latent cultural sterotypes--of course writers can't write explicitly racist statements, but the various injurious mindsets that exist in a vast majority of the American public permeate television and inculate children with these views in such a way that they do not think there is anything wrong with it. If you ask for examples, I will point you to what I wrote previously regarding the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Why is it do you think that Will from Will and Grace never gets a man? And if he gets a man, why can't he keep him? Why can the gay man NOT HOLD A RELATIONSHIP? Because our culture still thinks it's disgusting. There's nothing wrong with Will being gay, as long as he doesn't act on his homosexuality. He is essentially neutered in this show, which is a fantasy many homophobes in denial have.

If you want to continue debating this, please do so in a polite manner, sans sarcasm and invective.

 

[Dagenais]

I'm a bit tired of trying to explain it, but here goes: ok, writers who write for the shows gain a lot. They have to be creative. The average TV-watcher doesn't gain any 'writing'.

I've already replied to this inane comment multiple times. Judging by this thread alone, reading hasn't helped your comprehension or spelling at all. If you can't even keep up with the posts in this thread, I suggest you read some more.

Quoted by Tails: "programmes"

It also hasn't stopped your stereotypical remarks like how you was surprised I was in America.

Commercials appear at the ends of books (if they indeed do appear at all) and can be ignored. They are also not the visual splashes that magazine ads and television commercials are. In magazines as well, you can quickly pass by them and move onto your next article. With television you have to watch the commercial or continue flipping through channels without sticking with one particular show, thus shortening one's attention span.

That doesn't shorten your attention span. One just doesn't want to sit through ads.

I do agree that they are annoying, and unlike Tails you bring-up a good point about commercials.

I was watching something on NBC once, and it was 2 hours. They lengthened the show needlessly (it could of been half that time) and they cut to a commercial lying about what would happen after the commercial, just to cut to another commercial before what they say actually happens.

It is a known fact--consult any respectable book on the state of media today--that precisely because of the fact that it reaches a wider audience, there is less diversity in programming. There are few producers and many many viewers, and the goals of these producers are to reach as many people as possible.

Actually, the diversities of genres on TV is much greater than that of books. A few types of television shows that will never be in a good book include:

1. Game shows
2. Music videos
3. Live concerts
4. Live sports

The ones not mentioned like sci-fi, horror or mystery, all appear in both books and television.

You say that writers try to increase readers and bring in revenue

No. You said that, I was simply implying that authors did the same.

They exist on TV

On the first few pages of Prey, the author writes with quite a bit of profanity, as he did in Jurassic Park. Of Mice and Men and old books included a wide variety of racial slurs.

If this was done on national TV, companies would be sued, they would have protesters marching down their offices and never be shown on TV again.

You almost never here the word "F@ck" on TV, unless you watch Jerry Springer where it is usually censored.

I see it a lot in books.

 

[Tail]

Originally posted by kenikov
I've already replied to this inane comment multiple times.

Obviously you cannot express yourself well enough for other people to understand you, then.

Judging by this thread alone, reading hasn't helped your comprehension or spelling at all.

There's nothing wrong with my comprehension, but I sure would like to know what is wrong with my spelling. Not that a spelling mistake would be a tragedy, considering that I'm from Latvia and knowing that 1) even being just 18, I probably know more languages than you do, 2) I can certainly spell English words better than many Americans my age, 3) I can read scientific texts in English, which is not everyone can do in a foreign language without ever having been taught to read that kind of literature.

I would be glad to see what spelling mistake(s) you were referring to.

Quoted by Tails

Nope, I didn't quote this.

It also hasn't stopped your stereotypical remarks like how you was surprised I was in America.

Actually, I was surprised about just the opposite.

 

[Beren]

My list for the past week and a half.

Return of the King (50th or 60th time, by now)
How Few Yet Remain, Turtledove
The Vampire Lestat, Anne Rice
Pastwatch, OSC (again)
In Joy Still Felt: The Autobiography of Asimov, Isaac Asimov
The Light of Other Days, Arthur C. Clarke
Visions, Michio Kaku

I love to watch TV, but I generally only turn on movies or the History Channel anymore. I can listen to a movie, and the History Channel I don't feel guilty about watching afterwards.

I see it a lot in books.

Only in newer age books, really.

 

[Dagenais]

I would be glad to see what spelling mistake(s) you were referring to.

"Programme". I'm sorry, that word is underlined red for wrong. I turned spell-check on just to double-check your talented spelling.

Do not lie about this. I quoted you only to make sure you wouldn't quickly edit your post and mistakes.

I'm on top of that, so why don't you just admit that you spelt programs wrong?

1) even being just 18, I probably know more languages than you do,

Being only fifteen I speak fluent french, english and cantonese. I can also understand mandarin and speak a bit of it. I also understand spanish when it is spoken to me.

2) I can certainly spell English words better than many Americans my age,

Latvia? Yes. They dislike Americans. No wonder you made rude comments about them, too bad their country has more power, money, resources, schools and entertainment than your country does. Being not Canadian, I am not afraid to admit that America is much more powerful country.

Usually, by 18 most Americans have graduated from High School, some University students. I really doubt you can spell better than they can on a formal essay, not just a daily basis.

You probably spend more time on your posts than I, or the other North Americans here do.

3) I can read scientific texts in English, which is not everyone can do in a foreign language without ever having been taught to read that kind of literature.

Most people know 2 languages. In fact, in America it is a requirement to get into a University that one knows two languages fluently (writing, and speaking).

Most can read any book you've read at the age of 18.

Quite a few Asians at age 18 can easily read the books you've read. English is usually their third language (if you discount another english language like mandarin). Most of them are at M.I.T., or UC-Berkeley, two of the top Universities in America. English is not their first language either, and the books at those Universities aren't easy.

Everything you write here is just a bunch of unsupported and hypocritical crap.

I would be glad to see what spelling mistake(s) you were referring to.

Easy, "programme" or was it "programmes"? It doesn't matter, it was misspelled either way. I am not usually a grammar or spelling nazi because I am not the best at the subject, but correcting you was just too much to resist. Besides, it stood out like a sore thumb out of your paragraphs full of boasts.

BTW, when you edit a post for a spelling mistake, it is noted at the bottom. Don't try it, I already quoted you. Denying it just makes you look more asinine.

Since you are surprised I am not from American, I am surprised at your rudeness and insecurity. I have lots of friends that origin from Latvia, or somewhere near there. None of them are like you.

I don't make remarks about Latvia, so I suggest you don't do the same for American/Americans.

 

[Lonewolf]

"Programme" is certainly not mispelt. "Program" is used in American English and Computing, while "Programme" is used in Standard English.

 

[Tail]

Originally posted by kenikov
"Programme". I'm sorry, that word is underlined red for wrong. I turned spell-check on just to double-check your talented spelling.

Do not lie about this. I quoted you only to make sure you wouldn't quickly edit your post and mistakes.

I'm on top of that, so why don't you just admit that you spelt programs wrong?

Just in case you have doubts about what Lonewolf said, you can check it at www.dictionary.com.

By the way, I wouldn't edit my posts for something like this, I don't know where you got the idea I would.

I usually make sure I know what I am talking about before correcting someone's mistakes.

Being only fifteen I speak fluent french, english and cantonese. I can also understand mandarin and speak a bit of it. I also understand spanish when it is spoken to me.

Five languages. Yes, you do indeed know more languages than I do. Congratulations, I'd love to be able to speak all of them!

Latvia? Yes. They dislike Americans. No wonder you made rude comments about them,

I don't think I've made any rude comments about them (but then I could have just forgotten having made them). Anyway, if I did make any, they are definitely based on personal experiences by my close relatives or friends.

too bad their country has more power, money, resources, schools and entertainment than your country does. Being not Canadian, I am not afraid to admit that America is much more powerful country.

I don't think I've ever denied that America is powerful. It is, which is why it does what it wants and doesn't listen to any other countries. Are you saying it's a good thing?

[By the way, I think it would be interesting to see how many schools there are in Latvia and America per one person.]

Usually, by 18 most Americans have graduated from High School, some University students. I really doubt you can spell better than they can on a formal essay, not just a daily basis.

I am a University student, by the way.

It is, of course, possible that American students' writing improves dramatically when they are writing a formal essay, but when you see a simple word like "definition" misspelt in an otherwise correct text, it is easy to assume they lack either concentration or knowledge. Also, more than once have I seen words "they're" and "their" used incorrectly.

You probably spend more time on your posts than I, or the other North Americans here do.

Wrong. My Latvian is certainly much better than my English, but I don't spend more time writing in English than I do writing in Latvian. I like doing other things too much to spend time making sure my posts are perfect.

Most people know 2 languages. In fact, in America it is a requirement to get into a University that one knows two languages fluently (writing, and speaking).

Hmm... it never occurred to me that a different situation was actually possible!

Most can read any book you've read at the age of 18.

Quite a bold statement, especially considering you have no idea what books I have or have not read.

English is usually their third language (if you discount another english language like mandarin). Most of them are at M.I.T., or UC-Berkeley, two of the top Universities in America. English is not their first language either, and the books at those Universities aren't easy.

What is the point of this paragraph? Are you saying I wouldn't be able to read these books? I don't really undrstand.

Everything you write here is just a bunch of unsupported and hypocritical crap.

I think a neutral person would be more fit to make such judgements. Also, I would love to be pointed out in what way I have been hypocritical.

Easy, "programme" or was it "programmes"? It doesn't matter, it was misspelled either way. I am not usually a grammar or spelling nazi because I am not the best at the subject, but correcting you was just too much to resist. Besides, it stood out like a sore thumb out of your paragraphs full of boasts.

Stood out like a sore thumb, eh?

I don't think I've boasted more than you have.

BTW, when you edit a post for a spelling mistake, it is noted at the bottom. Don't try it, I already quoted you. Denying it just makes you look more asinine.

I really don't know where you got the idea I'd edit my post.

By the way, even if I had made a mistake, and I probably have made one somewhere, making a mistake in a foreign language is not an immediate sign of mental degeneracy, so do ease up a bit.

Since you are surprised I am not from American, I am surprised at your rudeness and insecurity. I have lots of friends that origin from Latvia, or somewhere near there. None of them are like you.

I wonder if I have been ruder than you have. It's hard to believe it could actually be so.

 

[zoobyshoe]

One correction to Kenikov's
information: Americans are not
required to be fluent in two
languages to enter a University.
They are only required to have
acquired a certain amount of
study time of a foreign language.

 

[Beren]

2 years is the general suggestion for mid-level universities. More is preferred for most high-level.

 

[liljediboi]

east of eden by john steinbeck
the things they carried by tim o'brien
(both required summer reading for my lit class [both VERY good, although steinbeck needs a lot of mental strength])
lord of the rings (all 3) by j.r.r tolkien
meditations (dont know which translation) by marcus aurelius
*dont know the title* but its a few short stories (including the original ender's game) by orsen scott card
all of the new jedi order books (around ten)
tatooine ghost by someone
(yes I am a star wars fan)
absolutly american (READ IT!) by again no clue (nonfiction)
various books of military strategy


a note on the foreign language, the university of california requires, i believe 3 years of a high school level language class.

 

[Beren]

*dont know the title* but its a few short stories (including the original ender's game) by orsen scott card

"Maps in the Mirror", or "First Meetings in the Enderverse"? To my knowledge, those are the only two that contain the first Ender Story.

And are the Jedi Order books any good? I've read the Comic series (I'm on Dark Empires 2 right now), and it was really good. I've seent them around but havn't had time to try the series out yet.

 

[Dagenais]

"Programme" is certainly not mispelt. "Program" is used in American English and Computing, while "Programme" is used in Standard English.

According to the Admin of this website, he made it and he lives in Wisconsin, which is very American.

According to the American dictionary, american spell-check in Appleworks and Safari, "programme" is wrong.

It is unacceptable. There is a large redline under it in my post as I type right now, as if saying "correct this spelling".

It is wrong. This is an American site.

 

[maximus]

Originally posted by Beren


...The Vampire Lestat, Anne Rice...

was this any good. i have it sitting in my bookshelf but never bother to pick it up. and how was Interview with a Vampire?

 

[Beren]

Originally posted by maximus
was this any good. i have it sitting in my bookshelf but never bother to pick it up. and how was Interview with a Vampire?

Excellent! Incredibly Excellent! Especially so for athiests (insert quote in my banner, here). I highly advise it to everyone. I'm on Queen of the Damned at the moment and progressing quickly. I love the entire Vampire Chronicles series.

 

[Tail]

Originally posted by kenikov
According to the Admin of this website, he made it and he lives in Wisconsin, which is very American.

According to the American dictionary, american spell-check in Appleworks and Safari, "programme" is wrong.

It is unacceptable. There is a large redline under it in my post as I type right now, as if saying "correct this spelling".

It is wrong. This is an American site.

I see that it is useless to argue with you. Obviously the American way is the only way that counts. So when are you going to go to England and say they know nothing about English, because the American way to speak it is the only way to speak (or write) it?

This seems like an international site to me (= meant for people who are interested in physics no matter where they happen to live).

 

[Lonewolf]

Then why, Kenikov, is it the English language, and not American, although I'm sure you'd much rather have it that way? Perhaps you don't appreciate that spelling is a convention, and that there has been a formal system of spelling in the English language for a small fraction of its existence.

 

[Beren]

You're all needlessly squabbling. Honestly, the internet is supposed to be a place without nationalistic boundries. He can spell "program" with t's, i's, and various letters of the hebrew alphabet, as long as the message gets across. Have a little sense.

 

[liljediboi]

... lonewolf, please use english, because you lost me there

 

[Beren]

Irony thrown aside, his post made perfect sense. There's a difference between English and American English.

 

[resa3535]

Alright, who voted that they'd read more than 20 books so far, this year? That's about my yearly average, and I'm generally considered a fast reader (about 530 pages every 35 minutes).

Wow...530 pages every 35 minutes... I can't even comprehend reading that fast...I voted that I have read 20 or more books this year... I really love reading and it is rare that u find me without a book.
Some of the books I have read this year include:
Xanth series by Piers Anthony (again)
Hyperspace by Michio Kaku
Simirillion by Tolkien (again)
Alice in Quantumland.. forgot the author
Alice in Woderland by Lewis Carroll (again)
Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde
Metamorphosis by Kafka
Harry Potter and the Order Phoenix
Europe a concise history by Norman Davies (Still yet to finish)
Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder
Uncle Johns Bathroom readers series

I can't think of anymore... I'm always up for good recommendation so please let me know...

 

[Beren]

I've read over 20 books in the past two months, and I don't read that fast. (and if you are reading the fast, I question how much you're absorbing).

It's not hard really, if you're a true "avid" reader, and you have either a nice income or a good local library.