Does anybody read anymore?

**edawg** · 08-28-21, 09:28 AM

This is one of the biggest problems we have. People have at their disposal all kinds of knowledge written down for them by some of the smartest people in the world on any subject that interests them. How much money is wasted on our joke of an "educational" system? When all they really have to do is teach somebody to read, comprehend, and think for themselves.

**stevenash** · 08-28-21, 09:30 AM

Originally posted by edawg

This is one of the biggest problems we have. People have at their disposal all kinds of knowledge written down for them by some of the smartest people in the world on any subject that interests them. How much money is wasted on our joke of an "educational" system? When all they really have to do is teach somebody to read, comprehend, and think for themselves.

Spot on.
Nine out of ten are uncapable of original thought.
Reason being they have others think for them.

**deltgen** · 08-28-21, 09:31 AM

Kind of a lost pasttime, isn't it? I must admit that in this day of literally thousands upon thousands of viewing options from TV providers and streaming that I read less, but still do it a decent amount. Personally, I enjoy the classics that high school literature teachers assigned to us and which I didn't like then... Charlotte Bronte, Dickens, Austen and the like.

**tommir99** · 08-28-21, 09:34 AM

Originally posted by edawg

This is one of the biggest problems we have. People have at their disposal all kinds of knowledge written down for them by some of the smartest people in the world on any subject that interests them. How much money is wasted on our joke of an "educational" system? When all they really have to do is teach somebody to read, comprehend, and think for themselves.

I think they are aware of that. But if they want people to be stupid, then the current educational system would make sense.

**cincinnatikid513** · 08-28-21, 11:59 AM

i like to read porn stories on literotica

**edawg** · 08-28-21, 12:10 PM

Originally posted by tommir99

I think they are aware of that. But if they want people to be stupid, then the current educational system would make sense.

It is worse than that they prop up examples of "successful" people like Gates, Hawking, Bezos, and Cook as self made men when in reality they are the collective trying to enslave the youth for their personal gain.

**hubie69** · 08-28-21, 12:19 PM

I do read quite a bit. Granted I'm 40 and not in your HS demographic you're talking, but yes I do. I have a handful of series of novels I read and have been reading for years. Namely sci-fi and fantasy fiction. I also read quite a few books on gambling, along with a number of ancillary books that are quasi gambling related. Some text books here and there for reference (algebra/stats when I need to actually understand the math behind the random python function I'm using at the time).

Being in IT I also read IT non-fiction, hacker stories (like KingPin), python books, etc.

If I'm watching a few games on TV I'll usually read during half time and commercials.

**capitalist pig** · 08-28-21, 01:44 PM

I bet I have over 200 books on my kindle, so yes I read

**stevenash** · 08-28-21, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by capitalist pig

I bet I have over 200 books on my kindle, so yes I read

I do as well, not nearly as much as I did in college.

**MinnesotaFats** · 08-28-21, 02:34 PM

Burn thru 2 books / mo

Read them on the treadmill at gym

**slewfan** · 08-28-21, 02:45 PM

First book I ever read was “the source” by James Michener.. When I was in H.S… It is still one of my all time favorites….. Once I got past the first 50 pages or so I became riveted… Have been reading novels ever since.. Fiction, non fiction.

I used to take 10 or so books to the used book store and exchange then out… Now I’ll just head into opportunity village or savers and pick up a few at a time. Then just give them away when I’m done.

Great sleep aide for me. Always has been… Sometimes I will start reading one and realize it’s a repeat…

**Tanko** · 08-28-21, 04:27 PM

I read a book every other week. A "real book"... you know, the kind that gives you paper cuts and requires a bookmark.

I used to buy them regularly from Amazon but I stopped because it became impossible to give them away when I finished with them. It was crazy and a huge waste. No one wanted a "hard copy" anymore. So, now I just reserve them in advance at the public library.

I had to start buying them again in 2020 because all the libraries were closed.

**stevenash** · 08-28-21, 04:54 PM

Originally posted by Tanko

I read a book every other week. A "real book"... you know, the kind that gives you paper cuts and requires a bookmark.

I used to buy them regularly from Amazon but I stopped because it became impossible to give them away when I finished with them. It was crazy and a huge waste. No one wanted a "hard copy" anymore. So, now I just reserve them in advance at the public library.

I had to start buying them again in 2020 because all the libraries were closed.

What did George Costanza say.
"These books on tape are ruining for everybody"

.

**slewfan** · 08-28-21, 05:11 PM

George Costanza is your mentor..??

Yes.!!

On what, how to calculate 5% on a restaurant check..?

**stevenash** · 08-28-21, 06:02 PM

Originally posted by slewfan

George Costanza is your mentor..??

Yes.!!

On what, how to calculate 5% on a restaurant check..?

"Kenny Bania is your mentor"?

**Tanko** · 08-28-21, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by slewfan

George Costanza is your mentor..??

Yes.!!

On what, how to calculate 5% on a restaurant check..?

5%???

Way to high.

**louisvillekid** · 08-28-21, 09:40 PM

Only autobiographies or collection of short stories based on true events. I buy and read mostly comics memoirs/autobios.

And of course the general 10 page or less usually 5 - in a magazine that I like.

But I've never been a novel reader.

I always like the old Jim Gaffigan joke , something like "People are always so pretentious 'Did you read the book? The book was SO much better than the movie.' You know what I liked about the movie? No reading."

**jackpot269** · 08-28-21, 10:02 PM

Originally posted by stevenash

I'm not talking box scores, we all read them.
I know we all read because we all have our smart phones shoved up to our eyeball reading all sorts of app data.

I'm talking novels, you know, actual books,

I remember back in the day when your pal Nasher had hair and the T-Rex used to graze the grass in my daddy's backyard I used to love Kurt Vonnegut. Jailbird, Breakfast of Champions, all his stuff was great.

My wife loves the James Patterson stuff.
Knocks off a thriller in two days, cover to cover.

I know of no HS kid that reads like that anymore.

I have never enjoyed reading anything more than a few pages at a time I've read maybe 5 novels in my life!! My daughter just finished her collage degree (BS)and is starting graduate school now!! while she was still middle and high school she would read a whole series of books in about week I was always amazed it would take me longer than that to read one!! We would go to the book store and the next day or two days at the most she was done and ready for the next one in the series. Im glad she enjoys reading , most kids today just play video games she never had them or ask for one

**Seaweed** · 08-28-21, 10:47 PM

Curious George

Harry the dirty dog

Clifford

**spurginobili** · 08-28-21, 10:52 PM

If you're a reader SCRIBD is a damn good deal. I found it last year and couldn't believe what you get for $9.99/month.

Tons of books in every genre (recently published), audiobooks, magazines. You also get Pandora Plus and TuneIn Premium free with a subscription, among other freebies.

I'll be a subscriber for life most likely.

**deltgen** · 08-29-21, 08:45 AM

Good timing for this thread Nash, and I will give you an anecdote that should make you feel good. Yesterday, on the elevator at work (I work at a hotel) there were two young guys on it, both early 20s or so. They didn't know each other, but one had a book in his hand and the other asked what he was reading. The guy replied "The Grapes of Wrath". When the other guy asked what that was, the kid briefly told him. I then asked him if he was reading it for his own pleasure, or for an assignment, thinking he may be a college student. He said it was for his own edification. So yeah--it appears that there are still indeed some young folks out there into reading old-fashioned novels.