Current Events > Why are books the only accepted form of escapism?

(+) Yeah! (+)

If you say youre addicted to video games, comics, TV or movies its considered to be nerdy or sad and youre must a mindless consumer.

But if youre addicted to books its considered to be this sophisticated, cultured and deep hobby.

Arent books the exact same thing, just presented in a more basic, primitive medium?
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It's not the 1980s / 1990s anymore, most people seem to consider games a viable art form and even on the level of film or literature
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You're still considered a nerd and sad
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you are confusing books with literature, i dont think anyone who spends all day reading james patterson novels would be called cultured & deep

pls posted...

It's not the 1980s / 1990s anymore, most people seem to consider games a viable art form and even on the level of film or literature

lol no

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All of the ones you listed are acceptable forms of escapism

But a good book is the best imo

Romulox28 posted...

you are confusing books with literature, i dont think anyone who spends all day reading james patterson novels would be called cultured & deep

pls posted...

It's not the 1980s / 1990s anymore, most people seem to consider games a viable art form and even on the level of film or literature

lol no

Hey man Patterson novels are....

Not deep at all...true

Books are one of the few mediums that haven't been co-opted by fascist propaganda. Which seems to indicate that far right extremists have trouble reading.

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Romulox28 posted...

lol no

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is incredible.

And so is Subnautica.

In fact one might even argue that Subnautica creates more appreciation for the ocean and the mystery of the deep for more people than Jules Verne did.
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Female privilege

EffectAndCause posted...

If you say youre addicted to video games, comics, TV or movies its considered to be nerdy or sad and youre must a mindless consumer.

But if youre addicted to books its considered to be this sophisticated, cultured and deep hobby.

Arent books the exact same thing, just presented in a more basic, primitive medium?

You must run in small, video game hating circles. Books have always been nerdy especially if you're addicted.

People are too lazy to read, so if you do it on a consistent basis then people assume that you must be smart. Watching tv is a passive activity that takes no effort, comics are seen as childish and gaming is still somewhat associated with neckbeard losers
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i think any form is acceptable. It varies by individual but imagination is the best way to escape. a book has you explore that imagination more than tv, movie, videogame.

the world you build about the book is guided by the story yet each interpretation of has its own difference.
read more books and something changes the next time you read the same book.

i think more books are likely to have that immersive quality but other forms of entertainment may as well due to its interaction.

i feel books have that freedom to go as you read sorta thing. the story guides imagination and that interaction is very immersive for the reader. the presentation of a good book allows readers to experience the story as its written. some share the same experiences of the journey in reading. others may have different.

tv and movies has their viewers witness events of the show. some shows have cues to let the scene sink in. these cues can be from crowd interaction (guided by hype folk) or prolonged scenes where the audience is allowed to let the scenes sink in.

a videogame has the player guide the actions of the character. the presentation of the videogame allows players to watch and experience the story unfold after certain actions. same progression is shared. it may be different due to the choices made by the player.

i think escapism has everything to do with your imagination. thats why we look to our phones to see if interesting is there, why we read and write, why we go to the movies or enjoy tv shows, and why we play videogames. a good book tv show movie and videogame can take you away to times and places only you can ever imagine.

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Could be that when you say you are into games or movies an average joe is likely to jump to examples that are more braindead types of entertainment than when you say books, as it is really rare for someone who says they are into books/reading to mean picture/childrens/beginner level reading. Whereas it is common for an adult claiming gaming or movies as a hobby to include a lot of less than cerebral examples of the media.
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There are people who look down on those who read young adult fantasies and sci-fis... not saying theyre right but they are out there.
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I'm more comfortable admitting I watch TV series, than reading fantasy books. Everyone watches TV series nowadays.
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16-BITTER posted...

I understand that you're committed to your gimmick, til death do you part, but Hitler literally wrote a book.

Which is banned in any civilized society, as all fascist propaganda should be.

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People would still consider it sad if you read books all day instead of doing social activities or having a job.

Romulox28 posted...

you are confusing books with literature, i dont think anyone who spends all day reading james patterson novels would be called cultured & deep

Also this. There's also the fact that reading- serious literature at least- is considered more of an "active" activity whereas TV/video games are often more passive. It's actually takes mental focus to read for many hours at a time, whereas any neckbeard can spend all day playing vidya.
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friendbuddypal posted...

Which is banned in any civilized society, as all fascist propaganda should be.

Uhhh I saw Mein Kampf in Hastings. As it rightfully should be. People that want to choose for others what they can and can't read/watch/consume do far more evil than your perceived fascist gimmick makes you think.

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friendbuddypal posted...

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Which is banned in any civilized society, as all fascist propaganda should be.

Where is Mein Kampf "banned"? It's not even illegal to sell in Germany, nor has is it ever been illegal to own.
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EndOfDiscOne posted...

I'm more comfortable admitting I watch TV series, than reading fantasy books. Everyone watches TV series nowadays.

I never understood why fantasy and sci-fi are both so looked down upon as "nerdy" or "childish" genres.
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sutree posted...

There's also the fact that reading- serious literature at least- is considered more of an "active" activity whereas TV/video games are often more passive. It's actually takes mental focus to read for many hours at a time, whereas any neckbeard can spend all day playing vidya.

shouldn't it be the other way around? video games are the only one of these where a lack of effort or competence on your part will actually prevent you from progressing. Not like a book can suddenly stop having new pages if you aren't reading it well enough
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