Freb and Bop on Adult Literature

[sartorias]

Freb: So much chatter all over the Internet lately about dark fantasy. Some can't even agree on the definition of dark. Like that book on your shelf there, praised as being so dark. I found it emotionally adolescent in spite of all the hard R kinky sex and torture

Comments

[slugwriter]

I've always thought that "literature" was ruined by education. High school, college, graduate school ruins the reading experience and turns into a intellectual exercise on philosophical debate and meaning oo the author's intent.

Before we were told what to read (and why we should) as outlined by the cannon and those who created it, people actually read so-called "deep" literary works for pleasure. But once the academics got their slimy hands on literature they made sure we read only what's "good" for us.

Literature isn't just for the academics, or the elite of society, and the sooner they learn that the better off we'll all be.

[handworn]

I wholeheartedly agree.

[slugwriter]

You can tell I'm no "intellectual" right? I spelled "canon wrong.

[handworn]

That has nothing to do with whether you're intellectual. A considerable number of "intellectuals" either don't spell well or don't proofread. But I could tell you didn't consider yourself one, anyway, from what you said (assuming you're the person I originally replied to).

[slugwriter]

Oh? How could you tell if I don't consider myself an intellectual. Please don't tell me my poor speech pattern gave me away again--I've been working very hard to overcome my shortcomings.

[handworn]

Well, I couldn't hear speech of yours of any kind. :0) In my opinion, intellectuals and academics are natural allies. An intellectual wouldn't write what you did in your original comment.

[slugwriter]

Oh? Why wouldn't an intellectual write such a comment? In essence, what you're saying is that all or mostly all, intellectuals and academics think along the same lines and hold the view that those not in their circle with a certain degree of contempt? Isn't this the same sort of bias which "non-intellectuals hold toward intellectuals, academics, or people of a certain wealthy and educational social strata, only in reverse?

And, isn't it possible for either an intellectual, an academic, and a non-intellectual to hold an opinion which is contrary to his or her brethren?

[handworn]

In essence, what you're saying is that all or mostly all, intellectuals and academics think along the same lines

About the value of applying serious scholarship to fiction, yes, I am.

and hold the view that those not in their circle with a certain degree of contempt

I don't understand that.

Isn't this the same sort of bias which "non-intellectuals hold toward intellectuals, academics, or people of a certain wealthy and educational social strata, only in reverse?

Whose bias toward whom are you talking about?

And, isn't it possible for either an intellectual, an academic, and a non-intellectual to hold an opinion which is contrary to his or her brethren?

It's not only possible, but almost inevitable.

[ex_greythist387]

Hey, some of us are pleasant people

[sartorias]

I think this has happened in all the arts, to a certain extent.