Had a conversation with someone and I mentioned that I love to read, especially fantasy books. They responded that they don't enjoy reading fiction because it isn't "productive" or worth their time. They can't learn anything practical from it so they consider it a waste of time. How would you normally respond to something like this?
by strikerhawk
36 Comments
Not everything needs to be productive. Some things can and should be done just for enjoyment
Ask if the only films they watch are documentaries.
Those people I suspect are the ones most lacking in imagination and creativity and who would benefit the most from reading a good fantasy story or two.
“Who are you trying to impress, God?”
Laughter?
You respond saying that you disagree, but you respect their opinion, and you move on.
Some people like fiction, some people like non fiction – this goes with any type of media really – they just have strong opinions based upon their preference.
Not everything requires a response.
Good for them, why do I fucking care. If they want to be a snob, it’s their loss.
A good slap 😂😂
I think my response would be “ok,” then either change the subject or leave. Not every conversation is going to be a life changing pov shift
I’d probably just ask what they’d been reading lately. It’s okay for people to not like the same things.
“That’s interesting”
And move on
“I bet you’re featured on r/LinkedInLunatics a lot”
Point 1 is obvious, reading doesn’t have to be a chore, it can be for fun as well. Do they only watch documentaries and the news?
Point 2. Fiction improves a person’s articulation and is productive a lot of the time. Beyond just language skills it also gives glimpses into different cultures and psychologies in way pure non fiction doesnt
I probably wouldn’t respond. There are lots of things that others do but I don’t because I don’t believe they are productive or right for me. Different strokes for different folks.
That’s your brain on capitalism, baby! Living in a society that prioritizes productivity while vilifying leisure, encouraging people to monetize every hobby, etc. will do that to people. It can take work to break yourself out of the mindset that you need to be productive at all times and let yourself be allowed to do things just because they’re enjoyable. But that being said, there are people who just genuinely do not enjoy fiction and that’s totally fine!
“it’s fun?”
I mean I disagree, I find reading fiction can be “productive”, BUT, if they don’t find it’s productive in the way they are seeking, that’s their choice, nobody has to read, so I would probably just ask them what their favorite non fiction is and recommend one of mine (assuming they are into science or history and not self improvement).
Don’t have conversations with them. It won’t be productive.
“Oh, that’s dumb. Anyway, bye!”
Chances are that I probably don’t care enough to respond and let them do their thing.
In case I do care, because I care for the person enough to want them to live a psychologically healthy life, I’d probably start with asking them why they feel that it should be productive and if something like reading can’t be done just for entertainment and relaxation.
Reading makes you better at reading, you learn new words and it’s also enjoyable
If this man lives a truly stoic productive life then he has a point in a way. If his world view is purely focused on acquiring knowledge and bettering himself with no space for relaxation then sure he can make those comments.
But otherwise that’s a silly comment lol. Like does he watch sports or watch movies? Or is it only documentary’s for him.
i think it can be tough for people who were not adequately encouraged in their youth to enjoy or participate creatively with writing and art to, as adults in an incredibly serious and capitalist society, engage with it now.
maybe historical fiction could be a helpful anecdote for the practical applications of fiction. fiction is, after all, rooted in some form of reality.
“Oh, okay, that sounds boring, but you do you.”
It’s okay to have different intentions or goals then other readers.
It does sound like they look down on others who read for enjoyment, so I might add a snark to the sentence above as a response…or not. Depends on who it is.
I guess for me I find switching off for a bit is productive in the long run as it allows me to decompress.
I don’t find the need to justify it so I doubt I would respond at all.
Having down time is important. Reading and enjoying books for no other purpose besides relaxation and enjoyment can be necessary for healthy emotional and physical well being.
Plus you don’t have to be productive 24/7. That argument isn’t productive, and is a waste of time and yet they still do it.
My mum will read fiction, but will strictly not read or watch anything fantastical (fantasy, sci-fi, etc.) because “it could never actually happen” which has always been absolutely wild to me. Closing yourself off to entire genres because its ‘not real’.
You find a cooler person to talk to. Some of the most productive people in life are the most creative.
1984
Brave new world
The great Gatsby
Frankenstein
The old man and the sea
Macbeth
All quiet on the western front
Siddhartha
East of Eden
All fiction. All not real. All literary classics, deeply profound and enriching for the mind.
Tell them it is productive to read fiction. It enriches the mind, something they clearly know little about
“How much TV do you watch?” Or “What’s your average screen time?”
Shrug and move on. Everyone is allowed their own view on things even weird ones like that.
Or if you actually want to push them on it ask if they actually use every single piece of information they read, if they don’t that information is not productive.
Derisive laughter?
I would challenge anyone to read *The Count of Monte Cristo* and not learn a valuable lesson about the pitfalls of obsession