Are you what you read?

[SFG75]

This matter was discussed once before a few years ago. ThisThis"]This[/URL] thread has elements of this dichotomy between high brow vs. mass literature. So, are you what you read?

My view?-reading 90% of either end is bad. If all you do is read academic journals and books, you'll have the personality of a doorknob. Trust me, I know a few professionals like that. The other extreme is bad too. I believe that a person should try to achieve some balance in what they read.

 

[Samerron]

If all you do is read academic journals and books, you'll have the personality of a doorknob. Trust me, I know a few professionals like that. The other extreme is bad too. I believe that a person should try to achieve some balance in what they read.

I agree with you here, but you have to notice that different people have different personalities and many people don't read much. So, if they want to read anything, they prefer it to be related to their profession. Many of these people are plain.

As for the main question, Are you what you read? For me, it might be true but not precise. You can tell many things about a person from what s/he reads, but it might be uncertain or not precise. For example, one person who likes to read all kinds of books and every other book tries a new sort of books just for the sake of discovering and getting enlightened. So, this person is not what he reads, though you can deduce something of out his readings.

N.B. SFG, the link you placed is broken.

 

[Violanthe]

Well, there are academic books, yes... but then there's the difference between supposedly "literary" fiction (which is considered more high brow) and "commercial" fiction (which is considered mass pop culture stuff).

 

[WoundedThorns]

i do tend to judge people by their reading choices. you bring up a valid point - that reminds me of my AP US teacher criticizing me for reading a fiction book. i actually prefer memoirs and nonfiction, but its not my fault that the majority of such is just dry and boring. looking back on it, he was incredibly dead/monotoned 90% of the time.

 

[lucymallon]

I don't think so. I don't have a rule for what I read. I have read fiction novels, non fiction books and religious books. I don't think somebody's personality is entirely reflected on what they read. For example my husband likes to read spy novels, and he is anything but intrepid, on the contrary he is the biggest couch potato I have ever met.

 

[Samerron]

For example my husband likes to read spy novels, and he is anything but intrepid, on the contrary he is the biggest couch potato I have ever met.

haha... well, I bet if you ask him, if he had the chance of another life who would be a spy

 

[Rien]

I think that part of why it seems that way sometimes is that books are a great source for thought. Most people think about what they're reading while they read it, even if the thoughts are only surface ones. Different genres and styles lead to different thoughts, and different thoughts can lead to different reflections (if any), which can lead to different personalities. People who read superficial books that don't offer any room for self-reflection often read only these books because they themselves are superficial. Peopl who read deeper books learn and grow from the things that the books give them to think about.

At least, that's what I think at the moment.