3 ms·

Think of it this way. If you only read fiction for the rest of your life, could you program a computer? Could you build a house? Could you understand quantum me

Think of it this way. If you only read fiction for the rest of your life, could you program a computer? Could you build a house? Could you understand quantum mechanics or any myriad other practical skills? Probably not. My practical skills are only useful in their relation to my human condition, both of which warrant exploration. This of course is my opinion, but if I had to choose between a future life of only fiction reading or a future life of only nonfiction reading, I would choose nonfiction. Fortunately for all of us, that choice is entirely unnecessary, and I've no problem suggesting that anyone who actually dismisses either fiction or non-fiction is demonstrating a remarkable, frightening lack of insight.

deleted 17y ago
[deleted]
fnid 17y ago
Do you believe the human condition cannot be explored through nonfiction? Would you entertain the idea that perhaps it may be possible to explore the human condition deeper and more profoundly through nonfiction than through fiction? I think it's actually quite insightful to understand that. Find me a fiction book more profoundly descriptive of the human condition than The Divided Self by RD Laing.
- antonovka 17y ago
  Do you believe the human condition cannot be explored through nonfiction? No. Would you entertain the idea that perhaps it may be possible to explore the human condition deeper and more profoundly through nonfiction than through fiction? It's not a contest. Find me a fiction book more profoundly descriptive of the human condition than The Divided Self by RD Laing. You don't believe his book is an exploration of his own personal perspective on reality and meaning?
  - fnid 17y ago
    I believe it is a contest, because we have a limited amount of time on earth. If you could do either A or B and you believe B is better, then why would you do A? Of course The Divided Self is his exploration of the topic, but it's sold in the nonfiction section.
    - antonovka 17y ago
      I believe it is a contest, because we have a limited amount of time on earth. Well, you have enough time to comment here. Is this really a better exploration of the human condition (or whatever it is you want to achieve through reading) than non-fiction books? If you could do either A or B and you believe B is better, then why would you do A? In reality, fiction and non-fiction are not mutually exclusive unless you're obtuse enough to make them so. They're not even clearly distinct in their value or purpose.
      - fnid 17y ago
        Using language like "obtuse" isn't really conducive to conversation. They are different. Yes, there can be facts in a fiction book and fiction in a nonfiction book, but they are categorized differently. Humans need groups to put things in and we put books into groups based on fact and based on imagination. I'm actually doing about 5 things right now. Playing a poker tournament, chatting with my wife, commenting here, watching an animal documentary on tv, and designing a new feature for my web application. If I was reading, I'd only be doing one thing.

deleted 17y ago

[deleted]

fnid 17y ago

Do you believe the human condition cannot be explored through nonfiction? Would you entertain the idea that perhaps it may be possible to explore the human condition deeper and more profoundly through nonfiction than through fiction? I think it's actually quite insightful to understand that. Find me a fiction book more profoundly descriptive of the human condition than The Divided Self by RD Laing.

antonovka 17y ago
Do you believe the human condition cannot be explored through nonfiction? No. Would you entertain the idea that perhaps it may be possible to explore the human condition deeper and more profoundly through nonfiction than through fiction? It's not a contest. Find me a fiction book more profoundly descriptive of the human condition than The Divided Self by RD Laing. You don't believe his book is an exploration of his own personal perspective on reality and meaning?
- fnid 17y ago
  I believe it is a contest, because we have a limited amount of time on earth. If you could do either A or B and you believe B is better, then why would you do A? Of course The Divided Self is his exploration of the topic, but it's sold in the nonfiction section.
  - antonovka 17y ago
    I believe it is a contest, because we have a limited amount of time on earth. Well, you have enough time to comment here. Is this really a better exploration of the human condition (or whatever it is you want to achieve through reading) than non-fiction books? If you could do either A or B and you believe B is better, then why would you do A? In reality, fiction and non-fiction are not mutually exclusive unless you're obtuse enough to make them so. They're not even clearly distinct in their value or purpose.
    - fnid 17y ago
      Using language like "obtuse" isn't really conducive to conversation. They are different. Yes, there can be facts in a fiction book and fiction in a nonfiction book, but they are categorized differently. Humans need groups to put things in and we put books into groups based on fact and based on imagination. I'm actually doing about 5 things right now. Playing a poker tournament, chatting with my wife, commenting here, watching an animal documentary on tv, and designing a new feature for my web application. If I was reading, I'd only be doing one thing.