Final Incontrovertible Proof....

[r_lex]

...that Kanye West is a moron. Y'all have probably already all seen this, but just in case you haven't:

"I am not a fan of books. I would never want a book's autograph. I am a proud non-reader of books. I like to get information from doing stuff like actually talking to people and living real life."

-Kanye West, anti-intellectual and author.

Comments

[littlegirltoast]

I will never, ever read his excruciatingly useless, chicken-soup-ass book, but eschewing literature doesn't make him any less talented at hooking up samples or (when he puts in the effort) dope rhyme schemes. He's obviously an intelligent person. Everybody's got to like the same things?

[r_lex]

Are you suggesting that artistic talent makes a person intelligent? Because if that's the case then Ted Nugent is a god damn genius, he plays guitar like fucking crazy.

Seriously Jesse, this is a moronic and anti-intellectual statement, and if it was anyone other than a producer/MC you respect I can't help but feel you be on board with that assessment.

[r_lex]

To whit, this is not about him expressing a preference... this is about him taking PRIDE in not reading, and dismissing it as unimportant. That is the essence of anti-intellectualism.

[big_paul]

I feel compelled to point out that, while I basically agree with you Alex, you should probably agree on a definition of "intelligence" before you have this debate.

Intelligence is one of those words that has a bad habit of meaning whatever the speaker wants at the time.

[adamkjohnson]

"I like to get information from doing stuff like actually talking to people and living real life."

Yes, a pampered superstar with ego issues. Talking with the people. Learning about "real life." The same people who probably tell him his stupid custom shoes look dope.

[glassk]

Yes!! As an AVID reader, I am a little offended. AS IF reading hasn't contributed to the spread of ideas, which is how stuff (good, intellectual, society-building stuff) happens.

[chauves_souris]

Well, everyone knows the best way to learn fractions, is simply by talking about it. Getting up every day, and just, you know, living post-structuralism. I'm like everyone else: Find the right parties where everyone talks in iambic pentameter. See: no books necessary!

[darthrosie]

I love the shit out of reading - but I'm not going to judge Kanye West as an idiot for professing his distaste of books. There are many other ways I can judge his idiocracy. This is just one more blind in his shade glasses.

But, then again, I never looked at Kanye West to be the next Plato. Really, any fame he has is a reflection of "ourselves" more than a statement on Kanye West's being/abilities. But we had our fair share of moronic stars when we were young. And I probably had just about as much respect for them then.