Evolution of reading

[Prophet Hero]

Originally posted by Batz Kage
[B]This is probably one of the better conversations I've had in a LOOONG time.

I'm having fun too!

My eyes are killing me so my line of thought might not be very coherent, but this will still fulfil the common courtesy of a reply.

First off I don't think you're too stupid to recognise good writing, Batz. However, please remember that I'm only working off what you have written. In your first post the keywords were "idiot", "junk" and "retarded" without qualification. You came across as some who knew nothing or at least very little just as if someone posted "Berserk sucks!" or something similar. It's only in your later posts that you began to elaborate a little more and my replies reflected this fact.

You're going to have to come up with a reason as to why Shakespeare was an idiot otherwise that's an opinion without basis, which I certainly won't take seriously.

Shakespeare wasn't the best at everything, but he has very few peers when it comes to plays. I find his use of language extraordinarily rich and the way he explores certain themes intriguing.

Do I find his themes and subjects relevant today? Yes, of course. Jealousy, pride, power, ambition, freedom, dictatorship are all explored by Shakespeare. Julius Caesar, for example, can fit into all manner of political situations. There were also some teen movies that were based on Shakespeare albeit with a modern twist, e.g. 10 Things I Hate About You and O to name two.

I won't contest the fact that scientists coin terms - there are a great many scientists that I admire and I think several rappers are using and challenging the English language far more than other people, including writers.

There are pieces of Modern Art that I do admire such the work of Picasso, Dali, etc, although I prefer Rennaissance artists, particularly Titian. Don't confuse Modern Art with Contemporary Art, which includes artists such as Damian Hirst and Tracey Emin.

You have to be more specific when say writing today is better. Don't forget that the novel as we know it wasn't a form of writing in Shakespeare's time. You have to compare plays and sonnets and the English language itself.

As for considering and valuing your opinion? I've already covered that, but I'll go over it again. You say Shakespeare is an idiot. Why? You've read two or so of his plays and didn't like them. Fine, but why are they "junk"? These are throwaway statements, but you can build them into an opinion.

You say modern writing is better, but also admit to rarely reading and the stuff you do read is mostly manga and short stories. Others may disagree but that isn't a wide enough field of experience for me to value your opinion on Shakespeare, literature or writing in general modern or otherwise.

The same situation occurs with regards to anime. I've seen some people post opinions about certain series or genres and when challenged admit to have not watched much. No one has said their opinion was wrong, but not many people valued it. Hell, there are reviews on this very site that are written on the basis of having seen only one or two episodes. One person has admitted to watching just five minutes of each disc.

That's enough for now. It's midnight and I'm tired so good night.