I very much agree. I had read the original Dune novel but had not bothered with the rest of the series because it struck me as just another old scifi white savior story. It was Quinn's Ideas that got me to read the full original 6 books and I was not dissapointed
this post was submitted on 10 Aug 2023
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I really like his content as well, and even though there are lots of spoilers if you haven't read the books, he has convinced me of reading (when i get the time) quite a few books I wouldn't otherwise have known about or noticed.
One of my favorite channels.
Me too. Really great deep dive conversations about great books
Quinn got me into reading the Three Body Problem and Blindsight. I enjoyed the book, but his summaries are actually far better and more entertaining than the books themselves.
Which leads me to the conclusion that a person’s interpretation of a book is often more than the sum of its parts (the book).
His videos aren’t just a summary of the books, they are his interpretation of the book, which is often better than my own interpretation of the book.
I have to admit that you admission of not having the room in your life for reading books but enjoying their concepts summarized irks me, but yeah I see the appeal.
Why does that irk you? /genuine
Because part for me about consuming media is having the artist's intent come through and exploring the ideas they put on the paper, slow or fast buildup and character development etc. When you have it summarized you really can't catch it all.
That being said I still don't think this is a bad thing, it's just my personal problem. Any artist should appreciate their art being consumed at any level and if the hooks are good enough summarization like this might even turn the viewer into a reader.
You know my favorite part of the Dune books was the glossary. I've always most enjoyed what I describe as 'non-narrative' sci-fi. I've read libraries of sci-fi and I found what I really like about it is the big technological and philosophical ideas. The conceptual meat-and-potatoes without all the relationships and personalities.
I get to enjoy sci-fi literature however I want and tbh it 'irks' me a bit to encounter literary snobbery over my choice in how to enjoy sci-fi. If you do that to a younger person it may turn them off to the genre just because they might not enjoy the same aspects as you do. So for their sake I'd advise keeping what 'irks' you about how other people enjoy sci-fi to yourself in the future.
Jeez, okay. You could've just said that after the "irk". It's not like you were interested in my explanation.
The fact that I don't accept your explanation as a valid reason to judge other people's media enjoyment doesn't mean I wasn't interested, that's why I asked.
But also I don't think you really read my post because I said explicitly I "lost interest in character development arcs and relationships and just want to know about the cool high-concept sci-fi ideas and storylines." Your 'explanation' basically just says that's not okay, so it's not even an 'explanation', just a judgement.
I also said that I see the appeal even if it bothers me but fine have it your way.
"Crack smoking bothers me but I see the appeal."
Weird to juxtapose your thing with crack but okay. And never say never, right? I just might.
Demonstrating that 'seeing the appeal' of something doesn't cancel out your condescending judgement.
Well sorry about that. I thought I presented it more as me problem than you but obviously I wasn't clear enough (or probably should've just said nothing).
@GunnarRunnar to be fair, the OP is not the one that asked for an explanation.
They did in another comment.
@GunnarRunnar oh then yeah, don't ask questions you don't want the answer to.
Thanks for that. I know I'm being a bit of an asshat. This just wounds my inner writer (who I'm trying to assure that it's not that big of a deal even in my own comment).
This just wounds my inner writer
That's a manifestation of creative insecurity. I'm a writer but I don't think it's my place to dictate how anyone enjoys my work.
Well good for you, but this feels like you're insecure about people judging you for not reading a book. I don't know why else you'd be so up in my ass.
I explained this already:
If you do that to a younger person it may turn them off to the genre just because they might not enjoy the same aspects as you do. So for their sake I’d advise keeping what ‘irks’ you about how other people enjoy sci-fi to yourself in the future.
Lmao why? It's not like they'd be in it for the reading or would care about "book snobbery" if all they care about is the concepts.
This isn't same as reading vs audiobooks. Stop being so defensive over nothing.
if all they care about is the concepts.
That's what I care about, not everyone. I'm saying the general snobbery about how one should enjoy sci-fi could turn kids off to sci-fi... but that would only matter if you said that to a kid that admired you so probably not going to be an issue- so carry on with the snobbery I guess.
I'm having really hard time picturing this scenario you're trying to describe. So like irl kid coming to me and talking about scifi concepts and you think I'd say to them "kinda irks me but I can see the appeal"?
You're fucking weird. Probably not a foreign concept for you.
Like I said- won't be an issue for you so carry on with the snobbery.
As a writer I would've expected you not to start recycling stuff just yet. It's dull for the reader and you're not really emphasizing a great point, more like an elementary school insult.
Unless the point is that you're a bit of a bore, that is.
I never said I was a good writer, just not so insecure that my 'inner writer is wounded' by hearing that people enjoy sci-fi in ways I'm too snobby to approve of.
Lol I'm not disapproving anything. You just took it that way.
One thing you're right about. Sure I'm insecure because cash is money and new, indirect ways of consuming one's labor is scary, even more so when it's relatively new and unestablished route.
Irked, but not disapproving... interesting distinction.
Sure I’m insecure because cash is money and new, indirect ways of consuming one’s labor is scary, even more so when it’s relatively new and unestablished route.
You must hate libraries ;)
My dude... if you're not writing for the love of writing and you're this worried about getting paid- you won't ever have to worry about people consuming your work without paying you.
You apparently have no idea how libraries even work so I guess this is it. Thanks for the chat, I feel dumber than before.
Do you know what this symbol means? ;)
It's used to indicate the comment was humorous. Do you not get how the library comment was a jab at your little 'cash is money' rant?
Honestly, most writers probably feel the way you feel.
But having read hundreds, if not thousands, of writers...no one is particularly special, except maybe to a specific person for their own reasons.
If the story isn't good, no amount of technical wizardry can save it. And if you can't write so that 95% of it just slides by the eye, then it doesn't matter how good the story is.
Cheers. I know that in my heart, having put down more books than I've finished.
I think people are being unnecessarily harsh in response to your comment. I get what you mean - it must be frustrating to writers to see their work reduced to a few key points that remove it from the greater context.
I don't think you're being snobby in saying that.
On the other hand, I don't think summaries are a bad thing. On the whole it'll encourage more people to give the book a try. Anyone that's put off by the summary probably wouldn't have read the book in the first place, and at least it gives them some basic background.
"Red, White & Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston is a romantic novel. Find out how two friends were forced to fake a friendship for political reasons, but their feelings deepened into a secret romance that challenges their lives and the world's perception. https://bit.ly/445UfVI
Why does that 'irk' you?
Answered on the other comment.