What's a culture snob to do?

Still working my way through that pile of magazines!

That's the title of a thought-provoking article in the August issue of Vanity Fair.  (One of my vices--reading about the terrible lives of the incredibly wealthy!)

This article by James Wolcott asks how will the highbrow distinguish him- or herself from the masses with the digitization of books, music and movies?  Although highbrow is not a word that I would use to describe myself or most of the people I know, the point is if everyone starts reading on their Kindles and iPhones, how will we see what they are reading?  How will we know if we want to start a conversation with someone?  Ask them if they've read the other books by that author?  And on and on and on . .

Wolcott writes, "Books not only furnish a room, to paraphrase the title of an Anthony Powell novel, but also accessorize our outfits.  They help brand our identities.  At the rate technology is progressing, however, we may eventually be traipsing around culturally nude in an urban rain forest, androids seamlessly integrated with our devices."

Although the idea of a Kindle thrills me to no end when I pack 20 books to take on vacation with me--since I'm not sure what I'm going to feel like reading--I will say that I do like to see what the people around me are reading.  It makes them interesting!  It makes ME feel interesting to know that either I've read that book, or I haven't, or I've chosen to never read it, or it's next on my list--whatever!  Seeing what other people are reading adds to who we are too.

I'm interested to hear what you have to say on this too!

If you're intrigued, check out the full article at
What's a Culture Snob To Do?

Comments

[Janis]

I love to read. There is nothing like the smell of a new book (or slightly used!!). I love the feel of a book in my hand and I enjoy my collection of bookmarks. I do have to admit that the Kindle intrigues me and I havebeen tepted to purchase a free copy of a Jane Austin novel for my iPhone. I am a little nosy about what other people are reading. It is a way to learn about people. It is also an opening for communication. Technology advances are great. It seems like it helps us to communicate better. Yet I wonder if it puts distance between us. We lose the "old fashion" way of relating to one another. Maybe we need a balance of both.