I wouldn’t describe it in such overwrought terms, but I do agree that going out of your way to dismiss virtually all books suggests arrogance and closed-mindedn

I wouldn’t describe it in such overwrought terms, but I do agree that going out of your way to dismiss virtually all books suggests arrogance and closed-mindedness. (As opposed to simply not reading books.) That being said, I’m not sure rejecting all books is particularly widespread so it does feel a bit like preaching to the choir and like sycamoretrees mentioned, letting Atlantic readers feel superior.