Now Watch Me Read. “Performative reading” has gained a curious notoriety online. Is it a new way of calling people pretentious, or does it reflect a deprioritization of the written word? [Article]
Now Watch Me Read. “Performative reading” has gained a curious notoriety online. Is it a new way of calling people pretentious, or does it reflect a deprioritization of the written word? [Article]
I would say that if you’re reading books primarily for Goodreads, or [watching movies primarily for your letterboxd](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcyTaBgvPYE), and you care less about what you’re really into and more about what *looks good*, then it’s performative, yeah.
ryjanreed on
any reading is the right kind of reading. unless you got a copy of infinite jest out in public, then yes performative.
deskbeetle on
I think making people worry that their reading will be perceived as “performative” will do more harm. Even if there actually are people bringing books to pose, who does that harm? Does it devalue your reading?
Seeing people with books just makes book more commonplace. Who cares if they are actually meaningfully engaging with the content. They weren’t going to anyway. I read a lot in public because it’s one of the few ways I can get away from the demands of my household.
jamieseemsamused on
I usually go to the coffee shop to read on the weekends because if I don’t, I’d just end up never leaving the house. I don’t want to be bothered about what I’m reading. Leaving the house and being around other people is just good for my mental health. Sometimes I wonder if other people think I’m doing “performative reading” but then I realize I don’t care what they think.
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I would say that if you’re reading books primarily for Goodreads, or [watching movies primarily for your letterboxd](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcyTaBgvPYE), and you care less about what you’re really into and more about what *looks good*, then it’s performative, yeah.
any reading is the right kind of reading. unless you got a copy of infinite jest out in public, then yes performative.
I think making people worry that their reading will be perceived as “performative” will do more harm. Even if there actually are people bringing books to pose, who does that harm? Does it devalue your reading?
Seeing people with books just makes book more commonplace. Who cares if they are actually meaningfully engaging with the content. They weren’t going to anyway. I read a lot in public because it’s one of the few ways I can get away from the demands of my household.
I usually go to the coffee shop to read on the weekends because if I don’t, I’d just end up never leaving the house. I don’t want to be bothered about what I’m reading. Leaving the house and being around other people is just good for my mental health. Sometimes I wonder if other people think I’m doing “performative reading” but then I realize I don’t care what they think.