3 ms·

The right thing to do could probably to add notes to educate the reader and keep the version original. But requiring notes; this is already assuming that the r

by rvnx 4y ago

The right thing to do could probably to add notes to educate the reader and keep the version original. But requiring notes; this is already assuming that the reader is an idiot that can't think by himself.

thrill 4y ago
The reader should educate themselves if they find material differing from their preconceptions.
tzs 4y ago
Even an older book that has absolutely nothing in at that could offend anyone often has things that won't make sense to a present day reader so some kind of aid would be appreciated by many. A two edition approach might work well. One edition would have the text just as the author wrote it, with notes added or maybe even short articles to explain things to today's readers. That could include different attitudes toward race in the book's time, period slang that hasn't survived, other language changes, technology, clothes, government, housing, and more. The other edition could be the story updated for a modern setting. If it is set in London for example and the protagonist frequently travels around town in a dog-cart, update that to a taxi. If the story involves a religion that people then thought was maybe some kind of shady cult but is now fairly mainstream, replace that with some current shady possible cult (e.g., if you were updating "A Study in Scarlet" you might change Mormons to Scientologists). The annotated original edition would be the one you'd use in literature class, or read on your own if you wanted a period piece, or knew enough about the time the book is set in to not be slowed down to much by out of date references. The updated edition would be the one most people who just want to read a good story could choose. > But requiring notes; this is already assuming that the reader is an idiot that can't think by himself. Most people aren't reading works of fiction to think. They are reading them to be entertained. If they like some characters in the book they will often adopt some of the attitudes or behaviors of those characters without even realizing it. This is especially true of younger people.
- robertlagrant 4y ago
  > If they like some characters in the book they will often adopt some of the attitudes or behaviors of those characters without even realizing it This appears to be an argument for banning or rewriting all fiction with any characters in who disagree with the current orthodoxy. That seems like a terrible idea, other than it will provide employment for some zealous English grads who can't write their own stories well enough to get published.

by rvnx 4y ago

thrill 4y ago

The reader should educate themselves if they find material differing from their preconceptions.

tzs 4y ago

Even an older book that has absolutely nothing in at that could offend anyone often has things that won't make sense to a present day reader so some kind of aid would be appreciated by many. A two edition approach might work well. One edition would have the text just as the author wrote it, with notes added or maybe even short articles to explain things to today's readers. That could include different attitudes toward race in the book's time, period slang that hasn't survived, other language changes, technology, clothes, government, housing, and more. The other edition could be the story updated for a modern setting. If it is set in London for example and the protagonist frequently travels around town in a dog-cart, update that to a taxi. If the story involves a religion that people then thought was maybe some kind of shady cult but is now fairly mainstream, replace that with some current shady possible cult (e.g., if you were updating "A Study in Scarlet" you might change Mormons to Scientologists). The annotated original edition would be the one you'd use in literature class, or read on your own if you wanted a period piece, or knew enough about the time the book is set in to not be slowed down to much by out of date references. The updated edition would be the one most people who just want to read a good story could choose. > But requiring notes; this is already assuming that the reader is an idiot that can't think by himself. Most people aren't reading works of fiction to think. They are reading them to be entertained. If they like some characters in the book they will often adopt some of the attitudes or behaviors of those characters without even realizing it. This is especially true of younger people.

robertlagrant 4y ago
> If they like some characters in the book they will often adopt some of the attitudes or behaviors of those characters without even realizing it This appears to be an argument for banning or rewriting all fiction with any characters in who disagree with the current orthodoxy. That seems like a terrible idea, other than it will provide employment for some zealous English grads who can't write their own stories well enough to get published.