I don't think

[Calhoun07]

At work today, I was reading a graphic novel on my break when somebody else came in and immediately went for the TV remote control. I like silence when I am reading, and asked for the TV not be turned on. His reply? "It's not like that's a thinking book. You're just looking at cartoons. If it was a thinking book, I wouldn't turn the TV on."

Oh, I was angry. I muttered somethings I can't repeat here and just walked out. I know I am not quite like the rest of this society that cannot appreciate the value of a good graphic novel, but I felt so inslulted. Actually, I never felt so insulted in my life.

[Squall]

Actually, a good comic book requires a lot more thinking than many of the so-called "thinking books." I've always noticed that the smart people out there like to have their mind stimulated, and thus enjoy Star Wars, Star Trek, RPGs, and universes like DC and Marvel. The stupid people out there just want their so-called reality shows and game shows. :(

Most people don't realize how detailed the plots are to storylines like Justice League or The X-Men. You have to do a lot of thinking to understand, much less enjoy, such storylines. And a lot of people out there just don't want to invest time into enjoying something.

It's sad, really, but the truth of the World we live in. :(

[Failure]

Man, what a jerk. I woulda knocked that guy down off his high horse with a *BAM* *WHOMP* then smashed the TV on the ground and muttered sweet, sarcastic nothings as I walked away from the wreckage. Well, actually that's what I would've liked to do.

That is a really ignorant thing to say though. I feel insulted just by reading your post, I would've been livid if I was in your position. Graphic novels require as much thinking as any print media. If anything, the pictures aid in the thinking process so some people think more while reading a GN than a text-only book.

[CadaverousEyes]

Unless he wanted to watch the news, I doubt anything he wanted to watch would be as intellectually stimulating as the graphic novel in question. And the news can be dull at times too.

[batboy2001]

I have had a similar experiance, I was discussing the new G.I. Joe comic book, and the class dinkey (who is now expelled, yay) tells me "comoc books are for baby losers who can't read". Well, this coming from a guy who probaly couldn't read the little engine that could I didn't take too much offense (plus the fact I love reading novles, long ones).

[Terminatah]

If I was in Calhoun07's place, I wouldn't have minded his lack of respect for the comic book, I would've minded his lack of respect for a fellow human being, regardless of what he was reading. Then again, I also wouldn't have minded the TV being on. But this other guy proved himself an idiot when he made the distinction between what was or wasn't silence worthy. I'll wager his family tree comes to some pretty narrow peaks.

-Terminatah

[kiddiesunshine]

here's a thought. since reading is a mental process, wouldn't that make all books thinking books?

[Barb Gordon]

good point, any book takes thinking. I've read books in junior high that college kids were suppose to read. I am a huge book-worm, and I love reading comics books and graphic novels too. Both take a lot of concentration. I've started reading while the tv is on, or while someone is talking, and it totally ruins what I'm reading because I can't concentrate. And then if I miss something, it just ruins it. I definetly would hae told that guy what I though, what a loser. And I do agree that anything that he was going to watch was not intellectual at all. It's all amazing to see what people think of people who reads comic books and such. And when you look at people that do read them, they are normally quite bright.

Barb^-^

[Bud 'n Lou]

Originally posted by squall
I've always noticed that the smart people out there like to have their mind stimulated, and thus enjoy Star Wars, Star Trek, RPGs, and universes like DC and Marvel. The stupid people out there just want their so-called reality shows and game shows. :(



Actually, I'm insulted by this. I don't consider myself stupid by any means, but I watch some reality shows. I find it interesting to watch these people interact, and find it fascinating to learn about their experiences and personalities (although, lately, it seems less sincere, as if the participants are pandering to the camera at times. But even THAT gives insight into their character). I also enjoy watching other kinds of shows too; the kind you might consider to have more "substance" than reality shows. Though in the cases of some shows, I don't know if this is particularly accurate. Reality shows can be fun as well as thought provoking. I like to analyze the cast members; why they react a certain way to certain things, why they might have come to form the opinion they have on a certain subject; just their whole psyche and thought process. It's more involved than people give it credit for. Admittedly, many reality shows seem very contrived, but there are many that are quality shows.

I'm just saying you shouldn't pass judgement on an entire group of people like that. Because then it's actually YOU who ends up looking stupid. And it's particularly ironic when that's exactly the kind of practice you're speaking out against.

[ccffan01]

You should have given him the Tyson approach. How insulting.

[Calhoun07]

Oh, and the TV show he had to watch? People's Court. Yeah, that show requires A LOT of intellectual stimulation. The cases are over in 15 minutes and boy, if you miss one point, you might as well forget the rest of the show! :rolleyes:

I think it's safe to say the guy who made that comment to me isn't the sharpest saw in the shed. He's a security guard at the bank I work at and one time we were going out to pull the ATM cannisters to fill them and another lady was also going out with us and she told him she saw somebody next door with a gun. He goes, looks through the door and comes back and says, "Well, I didn't see anybody." Yeah, he know's what thinking is all about! :D

Oh, and reading thru these replies made me feel better! I worried I was too harsh to him, but now I don't think he was. I mean, to be so rude and insulting....I just can't comprehend that!

[Failure]

People's Court!?!? That's laughable.

If you're going to be that inconsiderate to someone, insulting the intellectual qualities of a GN, you might as well put on something classic like Citizen Kane or something. But then to pull a People's Court out of his hat, well... Cal just laugh it off, I am. :)

[Calhoun07]

Yeah, he's in love with the judge on the show. Judge Mulan or something....he likes her cuz he's got a thing for Mexican women!

[Squall]

I wasn't trying to make a blanket statement about people who watch reality shows. I'm sure there are many highly intelligent people who love reality shows. Heck, I'm a HUGE football fan, and football fans in general certainly don't have a reputation for being prodigies.

I meant it to be more of an example. Sorry about that.

[optimal321]

I've been made fun of more times than i care to remember for liking comics. They really don't have the reputation of being intellectually stimulating. But people that think that are narrow minded, and pretty darn stupid.