Twilight - Page 3 - Writers Forum

JosephB · 09-21-2008, 12:13 AM

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I don't quite get it either, though I've always assumed the point they were going for was: "If they start reading tripe, they'll eventually get into the good stuff. But if they never read anything, that chance can't come." Absolute silliness.

If they start reading tripe, they just might get around to reading better writing.

See, you if qualify it and apply a little common sense, it sounds reasonable.

Why is that so hard to figure out? Why is it such a big leap to think that reading something sub par might spark an interest in reading something better? It's no guarantee, but it is better than reading nothing.

Malone · 09-21-2008, 12:30 AM

I understand it in principle, I just personally could care less if kids are watching TV or playing video games or whatever.

Ilasir Maroa · 09-21-2008, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JosephB

If they start reading tripe, they just might get around to reading better writing.

See, you if qualify it and apply a little common sense, it sounds reasonable.

Why is that so hard to figure out? Why is it such a big leap to think that reading something sub par might spark an interest in reading something better? It's no guarantee, but it is better than reading nothing.

I'm reading more serious things in spite of the "tripe" I read when younger. It's taken me years to recover enough to develop that appreciation for the finer things in literature. You should have heard me rail against basically every "good" aspect of serious lit before my conversion. But hey, I'm a persistent person.

Damien. · 09-21-2008, 03:02 PM

Teenagers shouldn't be reading children's books. Or young adult books either, in my opinion. Ender's Gamer actually is in the young adult section, though - I've had to rescue it and reassign it to the sci fi section several times.

I'm sorry, but reading just anything isn't good for teenagers - all these crappy novels about sex and bitch fights can't be good for any mind. Don't get me wrong - there's some good books in that section. That these teens should be reading.

SevenWritez · 09-21-2008, 05:38 PM

Grand Theft Auto IV had better dialogue than Twilight. It had a better plot, too. And better characters. And setting. And pacing. Yeah.

Damien. · 09-21-2008, 05:43 PM

Dude, your avatar/sig is creepin' me out.

I agree, although the violence level may be higher than most young adult novels. But I'm really not going to start in on how violent tv shows and crap affect our youth.

Snakes & Ladders · 09-21-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien.

Teenagers shouldn't be reading children's books. Or young adult books either, in my opinion. Ender's Gamer actually is in the young adult section, though - I've had to rescue it and reassign it to the sci fi section several times.

I'm sorry, but reading just anything isn't good for teenagers - all these crappy novels about sex and bitch fights can't be good for any mind. Don't get me wrong - there's some good books in that section. That these teens should be reading.

Yes, lets just start censoring!

SevenWritez · 09-21-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien.

Dude, your avatar/sig is creepin' me out.

It's funny as hell, though. I found it while searching for random garbage on Google, and I nearly choked from laughter.

dwellerofthedeep · 09-21-2008, 06:47 PM

I've never read any of them, but what I do know doesn't make me want to.

Apparently the main 'love' relationship is pretty close to many real-life abusive relationships, and the prose is purple like a MN Vikings helmet.

I don't think it's a good thing that people end up reading this book, though I wouldn't see it as bad either if they moved on to something deeper or stranger soon after.

JosephB · 09-21-2008, 06:54 PM

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Yes, lets just start censoring!

Who said anything about censorship? He thinks teens would be better off not reading the books. He didn't suggest they be banned. Don't be so dramatic.

Snakes & Ladders · 09-21-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JosephB

Who said anything about censorship? He thinks teens would be better off not reading the books. He didn't suggest they be banned. Don't be so dramatic.

He implied it.....They're 'not good for the mind'.

That's where it all begins.

JosephB · 09-21-2008, 07:45 PM

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He implies they're 'not good for the mind'.

That's where it all begins.

No, this is what you infer. This is not "where it all begins."

People have been saying that comic books, sitcoms, cartoons and video games. etc. etc. aren't good for the mind for years. No bonfires yet and none on the horizon. Don't cry wolf until it's necessary.

Snakes & Ladders · 09-21-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JosephB

No, this is what you infer. This is not "where it all begins."

People have been saying that comic books, sitcoms, cartoons and video games. etc. etc. aren't good for the mind for years. No bonfires yet and none on the horizon. Don't cry wolf until it's necessary.

I wasn't necessarily referring a large scale. Many local communities (schools, libraries) have people that push for banning of certain books and is granted.

There is censoring. Ratings on games, ratings for movies. Ratings for books next? Its ridiculous.

And if you want to keep up the metaphor, I'm not going wait till the wolf is right at the door to cry out. Censorship, banning. It all happens.

SevenWritez · 09-21-2008, 08:02 PM

Considering cinema and games are a much more visual medium than literature, the rating must be imposed.

If I had a child in, say, seventh grade, reading Lolita, I wouldn't mind. However, I'd rather not him/her witness the X-Rated "Obama Llama's Pizza Party Policy: No Woman Left Behind."

JosephB · 09-21-2008, 08:18 PM

Very rarely a book is taken off a school bookshelf. The initiatives usually fail spectacularly -- like the lady who wanted to remove Potter from the school bookshelves here in Atlanta -- and this is how it should be. But believe it or not, not all books are appropriate for school libraries. Parents and tax payers have a right to question what is available to children. As long as they have any say in it, mistakes will be made.

Ratings on games and movies are, for the most part, guidelines for parents -- and nothing more. And I've seen nothing that suggests we'll be rating books any time soon. Proposals have been made -- and they have failed.

Of course we need to be diligent. But I prefer to keep things in perspective. Suggesting that a certain series of books suck and aren't good for teens is not a recommendation for censorship. When you exaggerate and make assumptions about what people are implying, you weaken your case.