005. Antisthenes Corollaries - Published in Neo Genesis Daily.
Now then, in this era of technology, fast life and faster demands, it's becoming more and more apparent that people simply have no time to read anymore. Certainly the culture of books is crumbling, when it's easier to just get a summarized, pre-chewed and often pre-thought version of almost any text. Which I suppose explains the woes with the tax law; or of people sprouting opinions around. Technology is making people believe in the fallacy that all opinions hold equal standing, simply because all opinions can be published with ease. I'm sorry to say that's not quite how the world works. If you don't believe me, try to convince your accountant that the tax law is unfair and thus you shouldn't have to pay.
Do it. I promise I'll send you cookies to your cell.
Anyway, like every year, the remaining monoliths of print gathered last week in preparation for the upcoming book fair in Elsysium. From what I was told - and it wasn't much this time - we can expect an interesting event this year. More fiction than anything else to be released, but it's to be expected, given the circumstances. An old professor of mine wishes to prove he's not, in fact, six feet under, with an essay about the military struggle in the city. More and more books to be published and most of which won't be read by most people.
After all, if most people have their trusty - but not trustworthy - summary writers in the Network, why should they bother to read the book? Who cares if the room was blue or red, as long as we know who killed who, who slept with who, who loved who. Who cares about the specifics as long as the overall intention is correct? I wonder if us, as newspapers aren't to blame for this mentality, too. With our need to summarize the comings and goings of a crazy world, and our tug-o-wars for being the first one to publish The Truth according to our editors. Maybe we are the real reason why people are lazy about their sources, and over the years, we've created a need in people, to know about everything, but not know anything in depth.
Maybe we are part of the vice, but you know what? At least with print... you know who the author is.
--- Superbi Squalo writes a weekly column, Antisthenes Corollaries, for Neo Genesis Daily, as well as contributing with editorial work. Commentary on the column and further discussion boards can be found at his own blog.
Do it. I promise I'll send you cookies to your cell.
Anyway, like every year, the remaining monoliths of print gathered last week in preparation for the upcoming book fair in Elsysium. From what I was told - and it wasn't much this time - we can expect an interesting event this year. More fiction than anything else to be released, but it's to be expected, given the circumstances. An old professor of mine wishes to prove he's not, in fact, six feet under, with an essay about the military struggle in the city. More and more books to be published and most of which won't be read by most people.
After all, if most people have their trusty - but not trustworthy - summary writers in the Network, why should they bother to read the book? Who cares if the room was blue or red, as long as we know who killed who, who slept with who, who loved who. Who cares about the specifics as long as the overall intention is correct? I wonder if us, as newspapers aren't to blame for this mentality, too. With our need to summarize the comings and goings of a crazy world, and our tug-o-wars for being the first one to publish The Truth according to our editors. Maybe we are the real reason why people are lazy about their sources, and over the years, we've created a need in people, to know about everything, but not know anything in depth.
Maybe we are part of the vice, but you know what? At least with print... you know who the author is.
--- Superbi Squalo writes a weekly column, Antisthenes Corollaries, for Neo Genesis Daily, as well as contributing with editorial work. Commentary on the column and further discussion boards can be found at his own blog.