So...performative reading has become a status symbol?

[@charlichats]

Love the engagement! Surprised at how seriously this video is being taken - the topic of celebrities reading and “performative reading” is obviously a silly one, so my exploration of it was just a bit of fun, while touching on some topics I personally found interesting. Thanks for watching! Xx

[@sakuriyinn]

I believe you gave quite an insightful opinion on it, and I don't think it's a silly topic: performative reading is a way to reaffirm elitism. Great video, I really enjoyed it :)

[@Lidia-qs6hn]

😊😊 22:36

[@witchreads]

Be confident in your thoughts. If you’re recording a video essay about a topic I think it’s safe to say people will assume you take it seriously and want to engage and or counteract some of your claims lol. Defend your thesis! It’s an important topic.

[@sophiazorzi3239]

When you consider that people from marginalised groups were largely illiterate until the 19th century, reading has been a status symbol for a very long time.

[@charlichats]

Absolutely! Great point

[@evaphillips2102]

Lorelei Gilmore getting called out for thinking reading was a personality trait is what opened my young eyes to that fact lol😭

[@tomlotti240]

About to sit down and watch the video, but this was my first thought when I saw the title. Part of the function of education in democratic society is to ensure everyone is literate so they can (ideally) participate in their governance.

[@michaelstephaniemarrero1097]

People from marginalized groups? You mean basically every human that was not wealthy or in the clergy.

[@sophiazorzi3239]

@ My statement was very, very broad. You’re correct if we’re talking about earlier feudalist systems in European countries. My point about reading being a status symbol for an extremely long time still stands either way.

[@joannagonsior2189]

If I hear 'aesthetic' one more time while discussing normal everyday activities, I might lose it! 😂

[@РитаГонюкова]

Lmao

[@bar2kan]

Exactly. 😂

[@Shiningsnow]

The thing is people are romanticizing daily activities by making it look more aesthetic for themselves.

[@o_0malik]

@@joannagonsior2189 sorry, but aesthetics matter. Everything should be done with style, it is the height of what it means to be human.

[@MosDigiJournal]

Since gen Z doesn’t have any new subcultures, my counterculture to the digital age is trying to live an offline life.

[@ashsteepingtea]

This is the comment I came for

[@o_0malik]

As an African American, I read because my ancestors were not allowed, thereby making every book I pick up a political act. Also, I have a fear of just being dumb. I guess this video came up in my algorithm because I’ve been watching videos on how to read more, even though I’m already an avid reader. I’ve made the New Year’s resolution to read more and engage with more difficult literature. Shakespeare, Moby Dick, Uncle Toms Cabin, Paradise lost, and a slew of others are on the list. Also, I would recommend The Western Canon by Harold Bloom. It’s a non fiction dedicated to defending the classics. Published in 1994, he explains why reading will always be elitist and how modern books are mostly trash while giving an introduction to 26 of (in his opinion) the best writers of all time.

[@evaphillips2102]

This comment is amazing I feel the same way.

[@mermaidmoongoddess]

Thy first sentence 👌🏾. I don’t even have any state records from my own family and my great grandmother (and a bunch of other family) didn’t even have legal documentation of being born. They put an extreme emphasis on us being educated for a reason. The women (my elders specifically) in my family know how much privilege we have and I don’t want to squander the efforts that brought us here.

[@o_0malik]

@ amen!

[@miko6879]

Im not African American but I’m a brown woman and have a similar experience, having to fight my whole life against the stereotype of us being stupid or illiterate, and because the women in my family weren’t allowed to have an education. Reading holds a lot of power that most people don’t value. Thanks for the recommendations!

[@Unknown-do3oi]

as someone whose mom is from a country where women are very oppressed i feel the same fear of being dumb, my mom instilled a need for education and a need to grow and i’m glad she did. love ur comment

[@carolyna.3316]

I don’t think the type of literature matters. If someone reads ‘Feminist Theory’ and does not digest the material, how is that better than reading a random fiction book? Maybe I feel this way because I read mostly romance when i’m reading for pleasure; but i’m also a college student who is always reading academic literature. Though I do think people per-formatively read classics and ‘deep’ books to make themselves look cooler.

[@libugzreads]

This is exactly why I stick to the stuff that just brings me joy (ie, romance and fantasy fiction). If I'm reading the classics just to say I've read them, then I'm just wasting everyone's time and being a poser.

[@whiimsiical]

well, i once heard someone saing that we should read 'difficult' books because even if we don't understand them they still change something in us. And classisc can be really fun to read too, i would say that some of them are more interesting then the modern books (the things that happen in sisters brönte's books are really crazy)

[@crypticxo6622]

idk classics are legitimately more enjoyable for some people! and to define a book as a ‘classic’ is so arbitrary that i feel like often it means verbose or refers directly to 19th century literature! there isnt such a thing as performative or pretentious reading imo, books exist, people can TRY to read & enjoy whatever they want - confusion is only a key to deeper understanding

[@sc6658]

@@libugzreadsEh I don’t necessarily agree completely. I find myself drawn to a lot of classics myself but I think there’s plenty of reason to read them even if you aren’t specifically interested in those specific books immediately. Because classics are generally influential to more modern stories and genres, and as a result reading then can help you grasp genre conventions and ideas in more modern stories you enjoy. I’ve done things akin before and making the connections is a lot of fun.

[@ioana7929]

what you're reading matters greatly. you can't possibly think that a contemporary fantasy book engages the brain in the same way a russian classic does

[@aishafarida]

ahh i was literally just telling my friend that people don't read without announcing it to the world anymore

[@alicelily550]

I really dislike this discourse about performative reading. I‘m sure there are people who display a book cover just for the look of it, but I‘ll be honest here; I‘ve been a very passionate reader my entire life and I carry a book everywhere I go. Everywhere. Because one thing about me: I will read. I genuinely am the kind of person that reads while crossing the street and I will read and carry my book whether or not there’s people watching. Since people have started talking about performative reading I never get asked to talk about the book I‘m reading at the moment (which I loved because I just adore talking about literature) but about 'being a reader‘, whatever that means. It feels like being tested. Or I just get looks that are like 'girl stop pretending‘. I‘ve even noticed myself hiding my book sometimes or specifically not reading in public because I feel judged for 'faking it‘. This is honestly horrible. Let people read. Let them pretend to read, who cares? Books are great. And sometimes bad. Let them be just that.

[@charlichats]

& you should read! Reading is fabulous, don't let anyone put you off x

[@nini9042]

lol this is going to be a long comment (your essay got me thinking a lot of thoughts) Gen z seems more concerned with the appearance of being aspirational than we are with actually having those qualities. Observable in the rise of the "cores" and aesthetics trends on tiktok and how it bleeds into everyday speech. We have been living in a visual culture for a long time now. Social media's increasing user base has made us all increasingly obsessed with documenting ourselves and our lives. It is very similar to what we did with cameras before, but with a larger audience. We're no longer taking pictures mainly for ourselves to share with others when we want and how we want. That is no longer within our control. We post pictures to whatever platform, and once posted, almost anyone can see it. That picture you posted of yourself in a cafe can now be shared and spread without your knowledge. That picture is now a reference to dissect your life, that you went to this cafe, that you posed in such a way, that you went at this time and who you went with, who you tagged, all of these points of data is what you are boiled down to. Furthermore, you, as a user of the social media site, are on some level aware of this. You know that once you've posted something, it is never going to be completely offline. Whether because someone has screenshotted and shared it elsewhere, or because the social media company has the data saved and stored somewhere. So now that you know you are being observed and watched, you yourself will begin to edit yourself to appear a certain way to imply certain things about you as a person. Because appearance is important than the behaviour itself, it is more valuable to invest time in curating the appearance that actually engaging in the activity. And now we can use this to our benefit because making it seem like something is often easier than doing the thing. So we can take the easy route of making it seem like we have something or engage in a behaviour that makes us look good in order to shore up social capital or "reputation points". We can look at this and deride this behaviour and point it out as yet another example of gen z's vanity. But like you said, that we want to get offline, we want to disconnect, that is why it is aspirational. But because that is made more and more difficult by the very companies that own these social media platforms who prey on our weaknesses, we find it easier to show the appearance of intellectualism or what have you, than to actually engage in it, locking us into our very own hypocritical spiral. And to add to that discussion, it is important to examine who has the time and resources to break this cycle, or at the very least, play the character more convincingly, which is elaborated way more eloquently. Also it cannot be understated how much the pandemic contributed to this culture. There was an extended period of time during which our only method of human interaction was through a screen. Zoom calls, teams calls, phone calls, etc. And as much as we tried to simulate regular face to face interaction, it was far easier to curate an image of yourself to project to the world through the screen. Blemishes hidden, "oh yeah I've been doing this new skincare routine", books in the background, "oh yeah I've really gotten into reading recently", and so on. All this to say that reading as an aesthetic speaks to a very specific problem in our society regarding our culture of anti-intellectualism, class, and literacy rates which is what makes it aspirational, while also being a part of a larger conversation on why so many things are being boiled down to aesthetics and their appearance and how we use these as short hand to imply characteristics about ourselves that simply are not able to come through the facade of our curated public appearance. It is no longer "don't judge a book by its cover" but rather that "the cover is the only thing that matters". And how we use this very flaw to our advantage to give ourselves "status" points, while also using these facades we put on as protection from the panopticon that is our lives. It's not about what the panopticon is doing to us, but rather what it can do for us.

[@jahajahai6204]

I'll come back and read your essay later. Leaving a like and comment for now.

[@livinlikelarrie]

this is so good so true

[@chaka.princess]

Well said

[@graemeoliver744]

it is absolutely possible to walk around with your lit fiction book hanging out of your bag for all to see, while at the same time deeply engaging with that lit fiction and understanding what the author was trying to get across. Not mutually exclusive at all! Are we saying every boomer with giant packed bookshelves is just being performative?

[@futuristudios]

lost me at the hyperbole

[@nessamcness2399]

You hit the nail on the head about the commodification of the Wellness industry. It's an industry and it's thriving and does not equate to actual health.

[@lilyrubyify]

There are worse things for the celebrities to be performative about. Reading is pretty much always good for you.

[@charlichats]

Exactly! Hence why I concluded that this trend is ultimately good, however, this video is more about why this phenomenon exists at all. Thanks for watching! :)

[@alyakblu3]

I would argue that not all writing has to be intelligible by general audiences. Experts are allowed to write to audiences of their peers in order to formulate discussion outside of formal academia. Not everyone is writing to inform the general audience or to signal their intellect. Many are, but that doesn’t mean things that are inaccessible to most audiences are pointless or that the value of a piece is directly measured by the number of people that can make sense of it.

[@charlichats]

Completely agree with this - using correct terminology is essential to get your point across. However, I think in the context of pseudo-intellectualism it can lead to the use of inappropriate or over-complicated terms where a clearer / simpler term would work just as well. Perhaps I should have clarified this in the video! Thanks so much for watching :)

[@gabrielamendez8931]

I agree with you, sometimes experts do write for their peers and this is very important. However, it is undeniable that academics in all fields sometimes preference these over complicated words and entangle India’s to appear smarter, or make their points seem more relevant even when they have nothing that important or new to say. And I find this parallel with the influencers interesting because it goes to show how knowledge is and has always been a status symbol and sort of a cultural currency even in the spheres where this knowledge is produced. Kinda not to forget none of it occurs in a vacuum ..

[@pobbityboppity1110]

The number one sign of a newbie to a given field (like programming) is using a ton of jargon and complicated words to explain simple things. So I think there’s a balance. The most stunning thing is an expert making their field approachable. That being said, there are just topics in, say, programming, that are impossible to discuss without complex language.

[@ac56789oihbsn]

I have also seen the growing popularity of teens reading books that are poorly written with topics only regarding romance, parties or similar things. The popularity of this kind of book with this kind of topic is probably one of the reasons why teens have problems with reading.

[@mabuzaokuhle]

as a teen I kinda agree, I’ve never been one for romance books though, but I often see that most of my peers enjoy such books…if they even read. In fact, I can’t truly say I know because most ppl I know of don’t read much, and if so their literature doesn’t suit my tastes. I’m more of a James Patterson, Tess Gerritsen kind of girl. Might be the reason for my grade’s failing marks…but no shade thrown 🧍🏽‍♀️

[@Leah.life.]

I’m also a teen in high school and I love reading when i first got into it I read those books because they where popular and genuinely hated them. I was talking to some of my friends and one said she only reads smut and won’t read anything without it and I feel that the issue but at least people are reading

[@Milady7021]

Teens read way more than adults cause of school so they wish for smth unchallenging for light reading. Also, it is such a hormonally induced age that calls for sublimation. Reading is a pretty safe and efficient way to do so. And not new, most of those books just get forgotten pretty fast. My granny got a book like this confiscated at school smth like 75 years ago

[@heynonnynonnie9681]

I disagree. I want people to enjoy reading for themselves - not just for school or social clout. If that means teens are reading low-brow books, I'm OK with that. I, too, appreciate something that's easy to read as a palette cleanser, and they're the easiest books to discuss with others. I want people to enjoy reading and learning and connecting with other readers even if it's about silly books because I'm hoping that cultivating a love for reading will allow them to work up the gumption to tackle something outside their comfort zone and realize that reading something difficult is rewarding and not just homework or something to suffer through.

[@MorningStarSunsoar]

Literacy was a concern when I was teenager too and I am a millennial. Honestly even if the book is a bad book I’m just glad people are reading vs not at all.

[@justwonder1404]

4:30 - as someone who does read while walking I'd say it is not impossible, but it is probably insufferable behavior even if you're not being photographed. A woman with a stroller had to go around me in order to avoid a clash because I didn't see her in time and I'm still embarrassed. I really hope she was only doing it for the photo.

[@diamondducheine9610]

I don’t agree; I do it sometimes, but not in crowded spaces where I’ll run into a lot of people. I think it’s okay; sometimes I feel weird, but then I think, if I had my phone in my hand and walked, no one would really blink an eye. Now that it’s a book instead, its problem?

[@justwonder1404]

@@diamondducheine9610 that's my approach, too, only mistakes like the one I described still happen when there are few people around but also not a lot of room to walk lol

[@rachael5025]

i get excited and read while walking and its always a bad idea. i either almost or outright crash into objects 😆

[@bonk895]

​@@diamondducheine9610 I think a book is different than a phone. it is smaller and usually it's something quick and easy to follow that you are looking at ((scrolling through vids, reading//writing a message, checking the time, etc)) while a book is larger and you have to actually focus on it to digest what you are looking at. scrolling on your phone to avoid attention and being talked to is something easy to do and easy to stop, but reading a book you have to remember where you were, what you just read, etc.

[@covertperspective]

I used to read walking in the hallways at school, and would stop whenever people stopped in front of me, etc, and had a teacher call me out on how impressive it is 😂 its definitely possible

[@Pencilman246]

I’ve always been a “reader” although I have had periods where I’m more likely to drop books due to a poor attention span. I don’t even consider reading to be a hobby because it’s just like watching TV or movies, just the way I like to entertain myself. I think these trends are a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s good that younger generations are being told that reading is cool from influencers and their peers. On the other, it’s making people think waaay too hard about reading instead of just doing it. When people are feeling self-conscious about pulling out a book on public transport or in a cafe because they don’t want to see like one of “those people,” that’s when it goes way too far. The TikTok generation seems way too comfortable judging people not matter what they do and in turn nobody wants to be themselves or do anything unique because they might get ridiculed online. I also hope that people who are getting into reading from BookTok and the like stretch themselves beyond the right genres (like romantasy) that are favored by those channels. Nothing wrong with reading or loving any genre but I don’t want to live in a world where the only thing being published is Hallmark movies in print because that’s what the market wants.

[@cantonlittle]

Honestly if this makes people enjoy reading, then I'm all for it. There are people who tend to think that qualifying as a "reader" means you have to do deep-reading analyses of literature or have some profound insight on a particular author. Does this mean you're a reader? Sure. At the same time, you can read a book for fun and not analyze it to death and you're still a reader. What makes someone a reader is habit. It doesn't matter if it's the classics, poetry, contemporary fiction, or light novels. The act of picking up a book, disengaging with the web, and being intentional with what you are reading makes you a reader. Whether its a single page or a chapter, the habit of reading makes the reader. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

[@charlichats]

My thoughts exactly! Thanks so much for watching :)

[@KatieLeyden]

Am I the only one who knows what 18:54 was trying to say lmaoo the whole ‘who has the best bone structure’ ‘what eye shape is most attractive’ shit on tt is basically scientific racism

[@charlichats]

Hahha I’ve never heard of looksmaxxing but that makes sense

[@rachael5025]

its not trying too hard to sound smart. its knowing the topic youre talking about.

[@hgsc6798]

I remember being mortified in grade six when I was told I had an age 14 reading level and now my friends ask me how I find the time to read! I don't find it problematic but rather sad. There will be a book out there for everyone I'm not sure why feminist literature is the first thing people go to; I find the themes rather complicated, especially for first time readers. You did such great research for this! I always love your videos!!

[@sc6658]

See I get heading to feminist literature when getting into (or back into) reading if you were interested in that particular subject/book. One of the books that got me on the train back into reading is a dense nonfiction about a medieval king I’ve fixated on (still love him but he isn’t my main hyperfix anymore). But then again I’ve always had a high reading level and part of me stopping reading was fatigue after finishing an English BA so I wasn’t like jumping in with the same lack of experience as some may be (and no hate to them, just different contexts).

[@hgsc6798]

​@@sc6658 reading fatigue after uni is sooo real! When I was in school I was consuming so much non-fiction thats probably why I found feminist literature more challenging than a fun lil chick lit!! especially when I read specifically to relax rather than to learn or research

[@fltimaiz]

i’m 2 mins in and I can already tell i’m i’m in the right side of yt. i’ve been I interested in the emergence of the digital age, web 3.0 and all that jazz. i’ve been following this specific creators content and I think it’s great that you featured their vids 2:54 for this video

[@gonegonethankyou]

can you please share your resources to learn more about web 3.0.and similar topics? thank you

[@Anne-ln7cq]

Art was generally exclusive to the elites up until the 19th century. However, celebrities' performative reading is not solely based on their need to be exclusive but also a way to show their depth. Our contemporary culture is often perceived as the most " vain" one, with the rise of influencers and the lack of meaning and depth, so in a way, these celebrities are reading appear cultured, unique and literate. Ironically, by doing that they made reading mainstream and trendy, which in turn, jeopardized their mission. Additionally, Veblen speaks about how in each era the elites try to find a new consumption habit to separate them from the commoners, and the latter usually emulate whatever activity the elites are practising, this creates an endless cycle. With the death of creativity, it's no surprise that the "elites" resorted back to Art/Literature as a symbol of demarcation

[@gregmedina9294]

Star Bellied Sneeches. I only read Dr Zeus

[@evaphillips2102]

My husband and I are both dedicated bookworms and collectors. He prefers antique codex’s, reference and how to books, and I like to find biographies and classics that express the feminine perspective or books that I believe shaped the culture as I experience it: The Bible, To Kill A Mockingbird, Paradise Lost, Frankenstein, Walt Whitman, Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, Clarice Lispector, Zora Neale Hurston, the list goes on. I have always liked to match my book covers with my outfits haha but I also have a rule that I must finish every book that I start because consuming half wisdom (in the form of a half finished conversation with the books author) is more dangerous than consuming none at all imho. I read to honor my ancestors who got punished for reading but also to find answers to questions I don’t yet know how to ask.

[@me-gf7vi]

I think that a similar opinion may be applied to journaling too. I've been journaling since day one, and I definitely still do it while hiding myself, but lately I see more and more journaling content on Pinterest about "aesthetic" journal pages which leaves me kind of "???" because it makes me sad how something so intimate is subject to trends. With books I have a similar experience, it has always been something personal and all of a sudden I keep seeing videos of people telling me which books should or should not read, I think a lot of people feel this pressure too. I think conformism has a big part on this too, as not only it is encouraged to read, but to read only books that have some kind of "social value" to them, as if, if you read a book that is not popular online, you are not as cool, it's almost as wearing the latest fashion item.

[@theodom1858]

"I feel like I'm well versed, in most part, for words" lovely quote haha.

[@with_ess]

Dyslexic kids started the performative reading trend x

[@charlichats]

the coolest kids on the block!!

[@marcyrie]

Thank you so much for the wonderful research! Your video popped up on my recs, and I’m glad that I sat down and watched everything! The thing about reading & staying off grid being a luxury has been circling in my mind for a while and i’m so glad to have found your video!

[@TonkaTitan]

I am a musician and songwriter who engages in intense deliberate practice I've written over 500 pages of rap music. Naturally I found I was in limited supply of creative juices so to recharge I started reading literature, poetry and studying philosophy. I realized this is the natural progression of a writer of any kind and the stories, poetry and philosophy only deepen my own understanding of the art. I have a rebellious streak within me so I haven't signed into my Instagram for about a year going on two. And have fallen in love with the dark academia aesthetic. My mental health is better than ever and I love my down time from writing songs. I read 25 books in 2024 aiming for 52 next year!

[@nadah1615]

I see your point about students not having enough time to read. However, I live in a country where the majority of students, even at college level, do not work. Part time/ full time jobs for students are not really a big ting here as they’re supported by their families and the government. Yet, as a university lecturer, we see the same patterns mentioned in the article. Students refuse to do any reading and to engage in any intellectual discourse. Almost everyone around me is in academia and they share similar experiences. It is as if the students do not want to engage in any activity that would require critical thinking/ discussion.

[@loxee4769]

I think there's many factors at play. Literarcy rates are declining, sure. And as more people gain access to tertiary education, more people from non-academic and also just lower class backgrounds are attending university. We know that the family and economic background has a strong impact on performance in school (depending on the country, of course), and I don't doubt that this carries on to university. These, of course, are also the people who often have to work jobs while technically studying full-time. Another factor is that, in my experience, many instructors have given up on assigning manageable amounts of reading, because they know students will not do the readings. This leads to a vicious cycle where students are overwhelmed by the immense reading assignments and just give up. Some anecdotal evidence... In my first semester, I read and studied so much I got burn out. Yet I never managed to finish all my assigned readings. It was humanly impossible. Over the course of getting my degree, I tried a more balanced approach. I was always one of the few people known for "doing the readings", yet I had to pick one or two classes for which I wouldn't even attempt. I would have never been able to do all assigned readings, never mind the fact that I severely missed out on social interactions. This is, of course, a consequence of the non-reading culture (people are out doing fun things instead of reading while the sole reader is stuck in isolation), which is thus self-perpetuating. In the always-online age, it is also just more difficult to focus on reading and studying when everyone constantly demands attention, when every students, professor, and family member feels entitled to contact you at any hour of the day. Many students don't want to read, sure. But I feel like it's too easy to say that and leave it there when there's so many factors at play.

[@lucyjohnson6449]

As someone who really loves reading and also spends objectively too much time online this trend confuses me. Like I’m all for people wanting to read and it is good for your brain health but why do we need to be patronizing about anything that’s trending?

[@omotayosatuyi252]

Tbh some of the things that are on social media are pretty dumb like all the stupid tick tock trends. But for this topic I think if you are going to pick up a book, actually read it, I think this comes from me liking reading and not wanting to fake stuff

[@nnnaranja]

the statistics of literacy being low when reading is becoming a more popular activity is because of the type of book that is being popularized. todays most best-seller authors are writing empty content (not saying that every book needs to be super deep), but we are constantly bombarded by empty content. booktok is now about who has more books (with people buying +40 books all at once just to fill a library when they started reading books two days ago) and women (mostly) masking porn addictions. its a shame that such a fullfilling and educating activity is being dragged like this.

[@brunagabriellee]

Great video! And I’d like to point out something very importante you mentioned at 11:23. When we “train” our algorithm to show only what we like, that reinforces prejudiced tendency behaviours due to the fact that we don’t get to see something different from what we are used to. Therefore, we become more ignorant and stupid over the time…And that goes to not only food preferences but to everything, especially politics!

[@AshTanya]

New subscriber here, amazing video. It’s amazing how even things that shouldn’t involve consumption, like not using your phone, are easily commodified. It’s definitely just a trend though. Years ago a lot of videos trended about people saying they stopped using social media… but then they’d still post about it on KZbin? Interesting

[@charlichats]

Uploading a lil earlier this week as I'll be offline for the next week! Super keen to hear your thoughts - do you think this "aesthetic" is problematic?

[@H0SH1K0-TSUSH1MA]

i think its very interesting how celebs arent picking up kindles or their phones to read, but paperbacks !! 13:02 - i think that marginalized communities have less resources to like, buy books. (assuming if they buy new books and not 2nd hand or decide to go to a library) plus its much easier to go on the internet and try to find like minded people 15:04 - how did the oversimplification change the voting of the election? sorry im not american - did they use social media campaign that obfuscated the true nature of what they were voting for? is this referencing how ppl searched up "what is a tariff" afterwards?? 15:22 - i wholly agree! there is massive privilege in being able to deattached from the internet. 16:26 does olivsuna count as a source? /nm 17:17 like warping anecdotes to in order to fit someones narrative, or just make one up 17:54 i feel like we're in an information overload, hence shorts!! i cant tell you anything ive watched from youtube shorts lol 18:50 im curious on what comments and things you read on Reddit? did rhey use serendipitous or something?? 21:05 - that is so cute!! aw! 22:15 i dont know if its "cool" in my school to read ?! we have mandatory reading time, and most of us just quietly groan 23:38 i watching a video from another creator (i think rachel oates), which talked about this tt video complaining about how many words there was in a specific book (i think six of crows?) 24:00 thats curious! maybe its just in the usa though? i think that sometimes readers are encouraged to "fast" read compared to slow reading. i think that people arent able to "dwell" on a moment in reading because life has become so busy? sometimes the experience of reading is also being away from the book and thinking about it. 27:11 - i think it depends. celebs? Perhaps if they leave it to their managers, but ultra ultra rich> i dont think they even have social media to begin w/. 28:09 - utlimately i think this type of concept wont solve the "brainrot" and falling literacy rates - we'll need a change in system to encourage permanent solutions to this. 30:49 - i also think that its partly a way to cope with climate change, wars etc. we buy things to seem to be in control. final thoughts!! :: i saw another commenter talk abt the types of books teens r reading now as well, mainly romance and such (im thinking court of thorns and roses , anything colleen hoover , puck you etc) but I think there are other popular "booktok" books like the secret history , yellowface and the seven husbands of evelyn hugo which ar very good !! i think it just depends what "side" of booktok you're on? not every teen is picking up romcoms!! speaking of phone addiction; older generations have made it hostile to be in public without a reason e.g hostile architecture for the homeless, no loitering around shopping centers / parking lots w/ur friends . oh and theres lots of danger nowadays (stranger danger, gun/knife crime). if teens have no where else to congregate , why wouldnt they go to the internet w/their friends? not every parent has time to organise days out for their teens and friends , which is fine.

[@charlichats]

Ahh thank you for so much insight I love comments like this ! I agree, reading has always been a status symbol due to the inaccessibility of books, time and education for marginalised communities. I spoke a little bit about the oversimplification of policies in another video on my channel “We’re Dehumanising Ourselves”, but I think a huge part of this was how political candidates prioritised speaking to social media personas (Joe Rogan, Alex Cooper) which let them “get away with” just saying slogans (not always ofc). Thanks so much for watching! Xx

[@hhah23]

Imagine being this obsessed

[@H0SH1K0-TSUSH1MA]

@@hhah23 no bae its called engaging with what you watch

[@dbvmayor]

[me "flexing" to my Lyft driver, who doesn't have any social media presence at all and is working 2 other jobs] yeah, I haven't posted in almost 3 days Lyft driver: what Also, it's interesting that reading, playing an instrument, painting, having hobbies--anything that doesn't involve social media--is considered a luxurious status symbol of privilege because it denotes having time, money, and leisure. However, spending all your time being a content creator (and the money it takes to be one) or consuming media (and all the time that sucks up) or being a gamer (and all the money and time that takes) is seen as being some sort of revolutionary act of the proletariat or whatever. It's almost as if having a life outside of the internet is demonized by those who can't admit they're addicted to the algorithm.

[@holypuppy]

Bingo

[@poly-phonica]

Lots of good point here. I think a response to criticisms of typical online and influencer culture, we’ve started to romanticize people who are quiet, thoughtful, intelligent, or desire knowledge - all things associated with readers, and time periods where people did more things “offline.” Famous people have taken notice and have jumped to commodify it and make it look sexy and alluring. The whole dark academia and study core aesthetic is another thing that’s come to mind. I think this is a remote concern of mine, but part of me worries that if reading gains a reputation as being considered performative and thus problematic, some people will be discouraged from picking up reading or talking about books out of genuine interest because they don’t want to look “fake” or “pseudo intellectual.”

[@jibreeshartwork9342]

Honestly, this is the first 30+ minutes video I've watched in one sitting in like years. The topic is Honestly so interesting to me, and how ironic it is that social media has gone full circle with having no social media is "elite". I love this video, keep going!

[@nikugrill]

18:52 it looks like nonsense especially if youre not chronically online, but if you break it down its a completely legible sentence. looksmaxing and canthal tilt are terms used in an internet subculture about looking as “objectively beautiful as possible”. the thing is, these ideas can quickly delve into eugenics and phrenology when you have people saying certain features are objectively more beautiful than others. i dont think its right to see this as pseudo-intellectualism when really its just terminology used by people in a subculture. if you look at any subculture or group from the outside, any sort of unfamiliar terminology is going to be confusing!

[@laurenalexander1293]

Love how you link all the articles!!! Gonna be my morning reading! New Sub, keep it up!

[@lolaWWEWWFpunk]

Books is/has always been a status symbol. I am from a minority and the only books I can afford are printed books, not even secondhand. Secondhand is still considered original and so, I can afford the books a random guy printed the pdf file of the book 😢 Even that, I have to save and think MULTIPLE TIMES if the book is worth it!

[@Hhh-w9o]

Are you able to read books online with a device? Like your phone? There are plenty of websites with free books that are in the public domain. My geboekte is Standard Ebooks

[@estefaniaboujon6830]

You are right, it has always been. But on other topic, you can’t buy books because you are from a minority? What? Were are you from?

[@c.lstrife]

Ngl, I cant handle being on Tiktok, theres something about that site/app that makes my brain want to have a seizure, aneurysm, and heart attack all at once. This isnt just with tiktok though, since I cant focus on t.v, netflix or other streaming platforms too. KZbin is the only site that I have a better chance of focusing on videos though. Books have my attention and keep me there all the time (especially as a child) but I'm beginning to see that books are being more and more "trashy," and a "turn off yourbrain for a quick hit," which is one of the reasons why I have been getting into bigger classical novels like Dantes Divine Comedy or Les Miserables. Im not the only bibliophile to do this as well since alot of other booktubers are going this way as well, some are slightly younger or older than I am. I want a book that makes me THINK and REFLECT on what I just read.

[@Selma-ru5uz]

I’m in middle school and I also read a lot.I’ve noticed that most of the people making fun of me for reading seem to think that the only reason to read would be to impress others/to look smart. (Sorry for the bad English it’s not my first language)

[@hedenistpluto]

Same. It's the same with really any indept liking to art. There have been times when I mention I like cinema, literature, philosophy and politics and I'm met with a weird look sometimes. As if watching New Wave films or reading Crime and Punishment as a 15 yro is somehow related to trying to impress someone or to be elitist; when in reality the only person I'm trying to impress is myself with my growth in tastes and range of art I've consumed

[@zack-apsalar-rake]

Celebrities are essentially outlets for endless advertisement, wielding significant influence over people in general. It is what it is-humans have a tendency to fawn over idols(or even ideas), regardless of their form, appearance, or establishment. That said, I’m personally happy that, at least this time, books are being used as showcase as a form of elitism. It’s driven book sales up, and I’m elated to see that books aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. On a side note, whether someone truly understands the content of literature or the messages an author tries to convey often depends more on the reader’s life experience than their intellectual level. This is why certain books can offer entirely different nuances when read at different ages. Regardless of whether you can fully empathize with the story or judge it against your own moral code, it’s still worthwhile to read books you don’t fully understand or to explore challenging topics. That said, I personally prefer delving into non-fiction on similar topics when books draw too many parallels to real-life events. Non-fiction tends to present collective data and analysis, which I find more grounded and enlightening in those cases.

[@ruedesfleurs8279]

One of the few things I appreciate about New Delhi, the city where I was born, is that nearly everyone is a reader. People there genuinely love to read. If you wanna travel somewhere in the city and decide to take the metro, you’ll notice that 90-95% of the commuters are often engrossed in their books. I don't live there now and this makes me want to go back.

[@zuzanna8394]

I was a school child and an early teen in 2008-2015 and if you look back on "girly movies" TV shows for teenagers (on Disney channel or others) in early 2000's it was cool and fashionable to be stupid, to be bad at school. Cool kids were pretty girls only interested in clothes and make up and boys doing sports. I guess now we experienced a sharp turn in the perception of what means to be cool but we still suffer consequences of 2000's culture as those kids are now in university.

[@warmjets45]

late-stage capitalism has started to commodify aesthetics via social media making ~vibes~ and the superficial act of curating it replacing actual participation in said culture. as the wealth disparity continues to grow, the knowledge disparity will too. right now, we’re talking about reading. next, it’ll be something like baking bread. culture and the material world dance with and against each other. as a marxist, it’s incredible how close you and this comment section are to getting it.

[@michaelstephaniemarrero1097]

Knowledge disparity is not solely the responsibility of society but of the individual especially when you live in a country like the USA. But the most important problem is people need time outside of work and play to finally have time to focus on knowledge. In early stage capitalism, reading was for the elites and wealthy. The poor had virtually no time to themselves. Generally speaking we have more time on our hands more than ever yet are having literacy issues.

[@warmjets45]

@@michaelstephaniemarrero1097 i disagree with this. society (aka the material world) gives people zero incentive to pursue knowledge bc why would u when u can have a tasty big mac or scroll reels all night. we cannot blame the individual when discussing a societal trend bc then we start thinking dumb, reactionary, and elitist shit like “people are dumb, but i’m better bc i like to learn things.” you are not special bc you like to read. your surroundings influence who you are. change the surroundings, then you change the society.

[@louaandrealeborgne7859]

absolutely loved this video! i'd be interested in watching another video about reading !!

[@valval-g2z]

reading turned into something performative probably because we just give up pursuing it as a real hobby due to inability to focus for more than 5 seconds also it definitely impacts basic comprehension skills as on social media every explanation is broken down into pieces for us that text in the book becomes something harder to break down

[@lilly-ee2sp]

Great video! Thank you for putting so much time and effort into this video and adding resources. To add a different point of view: I do think that performative intellect is better than performative stupidity that was popular in the 2000s and 2010s. (Think Paris Hilton, cool bully jocks, barbie pink popular girls that weren't doing great in school) Reading was considered lame, people were borderline punished for an interest in something that makes you "smarter". Most performative things aren't always perceived as so. Many young people can be inspired (influenced) to start reading thanks to their celeb crushes who are just "acting as if" they reading because their agent said that great publicity. In addition, contrary to what you said I think big words and the use of them is important. If we don't use more complicated words then the risk of a language perishing is high. "Making what you are saying/writing legible to the general public" is simplification. I'm sure you meant that most people are trying to show off their vocabulary. But I've always been an advocate for using the right terminology for something if you know it rather than using a general well known word a child would know. Otherwise the beauty of a language just fades. This whole reading facade could be the most healthiest thing to come out of the performative behavior of both influencers and celebrities alike.

[@FranColeman0]

I've had a hard time reading novels in the past few years. I read about fair amount of non-fiction, but the ubiquity of streaming services has made me more interested in video and films for fiction.

[@SeekerSincere]

Just found your Channel. I’m from Alberta, canada 🇨🇦 Thanks for sharing your list.

[@SashPeach]

When I was small I was considered a big bookworm by everyone in my life, this was reinforced by my mom who taught me how to read at a very early age. However school had killed my love for reading with books that were maybe important (some of them indeed were.. others were boring AND traumatizing to this day), but to a 9year old it was AWFUL .. then social media got normalized and I didn’t pick up a book on my own will that wasn’t a comic until 2019. Reading made me notice that my dislexic and anxious ass needs to have a timer on my online use, cause I forgot how to write properly, how to use my brain properly, how short my vocabulary is…cause my phone made me a slow thinker despite I wasn’t considered dumb or anything like that, the content I was exposed to made me even more insecure than my life alredy was making me and my depressive states were only reinforced. Wether it’s performative or not, I think that if it’s making more people pick up books and leave their phone cool down, then It is somehow a step into a better direction. Thank you for the great talk. I’m enjoying the company of it a lot whilst doing chores.

[@143summerlove]

hats off for a fantastic vid - so thoughtprovoking and led to a really interesting convo with my best friend!

[@charlichats]

Aw yay - this is exactly what I hope to encourage! Thank you for watching xx

[@sunshineRshonk]

I think a good part of it is that the upper class always wants to be different from the masses. It's why quiet luxury is trending, but we'll probably see the UC dressing down. I will say, I deleted tiktok a year ago, and I've noticed my attention span has gotten better. I grew up with a literal library in the house (not rich. My parents love reading and buying books secondhand). So, by getting back into reading, I've returned to what my childhood self loved the most.

[@karas9530]

As a person with a masters in library science, I feel very weird about the book club being called "library science" because it is an information management degree that has very little to do with the content of books. the content being, you would assume, the entire point of a book club?

[@charlichats]

such an interesting perspective!

[@sydburd]

it's not that deep haha

[@Annackerknecht]

Regarding your argument about class: I would say that “detoxing” isn’t directly an economic issue. For example, not using a phone can even save you money. However, it is, of course, very unequal across social classes, as social media can provide a sense of allyship and community for marginalized people. Which would probably make a detox way harder for them.

[@nephthemis7281]

Looking forward to more discussions with you! Considering that you have a law degree, it would be interesting to see topics being discussed through a law perspective, albeit not the whole video but like a portion of it covering such. This is coming from a law student !!

[@frithfiver]

Just found your channel and can't wait to watch your other vids. This was so well made and I'm feeling inspired to put down the device and pick up a book

[@zelbelreader]

If you were a nerdy reader in high school who got bullied for having your nose in a book... our time has come.

[@LuCiaiU]

Everything we do in the social media era is bound to be - at least in some way - performative. But hey, trends have always existed; they might be more widespread now, and we might be more aware of them, but at least let the new trends focus on healthy habits. Even if people pick them up for the wrong reasons, I believe they will have a positive impact in their lives

[@ziyasinterlude]

I clicked on this bc knew Kaia Gerber would be mentioned and she immediately was 😂 but I’ve heard this conversation brought up a few times so I know I will enjoy this video

[@ispislc]

I LOVE this even if it just came to me scrolling throughout youtube

[@sonalivarma5122]

Great video Charli 🫶 Keep on grinding

[@PhoebeTanaaa]

for anyone who wants books on these topics, i’d highly recommend “stolen focus” by johann hari (he basically does an experiment of detoxing from ALL forms of digital media for three months and writes about it. he also consults a lot of experts in this area and it’s a generally enjoyable and well-made read) and “a web of our own making” by anton barba-kay (this book is much more dense and philosophy-based, but barba-kays insights are INCREDIBLE). i read both of these books for a philosophy class in college and they’ve stuck with me ever since. :))

[@charlichats]

Thank you so much for sharing these! I need to take a look at them x

[@sofiavalle6505]

love this i’m so happy i came accross your channel

[@beguglacat4394]

this was such a wonderful video I hope it reaches more people

[@simoneli1802]

finishing watching a tiktok video is rewarding to the brain, it stimulates dopamine or some other chemicals that make people feel good. that's one of reasons tik tok is so addictive. and once the brain is used to the high dose of dopamine, regular dose is hard for it to bear. it's basically like drugs, which is why drug users need to take more and more doses to feel the same level of euphoria and why they are so down when the drug is done.

[@pobbityboppity1110]

It’s wild to watch a video like this, since I don’t have social media and I don’t browse TikTok. I DO read books and watch video essays. What does that say about me? How does that reflect my class, status, and exposure of both?

[@pobbityboppity1110]

I don’t necessarily think performative reading HAS to replace intellectual engagement. Even if it’s just for enjoyment. People can perform a given action for multiple reasons. I’m also a big fan of people reading entirely for pleasure, so if someone picks up a crunchy fun thriller or mystery or romance, good for them. It’s probably better for your brain than your phone.

[@mayareichenbach3790]

i would love to see a video essay on booktok and the rise of wattpad-like romance books

[@ridendurance]

Buying books to build a beautiful library .., but that you never read, is also a thing. The library is considered for poor people and they don’t like using a book someone else must have touched. I used to love the well worn and used look of my favorite library books and thinking of all the people that had loved it as much as me. Library love ❤❤❤

[@pattyogreen]

I think you'd really like the book Anaximander and the birth of science by carlo rovelli, its a book about science and the sixth century bce that made me cry.

[@DrustZapat]

Great video! Thanks for making it 😊

[@Unknown-do3oi]

OK BUT IM SO PROUD OF MYSELF FOR DELETING INSTA THIS YEAR & TIKTOK LAST YEAR!!! it’s not performance for me, i was horribly addicted to social media and i just had to do a full stop with it. and i’ve also always loved reading (but i hid it out of fear of being a nerd) and i love love love books, like holding someone’s words and emotions while imagining scenes! anyway i think performative reading is kinda silly, we should start a trend of finding books that resonate with you and stop doing just school assigned reading because when it’s an assignment it feels like being cool and “rebelling” to not read. thx for reading my rambling comment & pls give me tips to get my screen time further down, lately i’ve been enjoying making art but idk what new things to try

[@kittydoran9597]

those a gorgeous jeans gal. not the point of the video but still. also that bit u said about using accessible language, and not use sophisticated vocabulary just as intellect marker is just what I needed to hear, because that was a piece of advice I had received on my CV/Resumé that I was reluctant to apply...probably due to my desire to appear intelligent lol. Another point (I just keep adding to my comment ha): the Kern Carter substack about reading being more about appearing to be reading rather than actually reading is interesting because we can't reallyyyy tell how much someone is actually reading vs just trying to look like they're reading, because reading is such an individual act. It's more independent than TV/Film because you can't really sit and read a book together (your experience of reading the book is pretty subjective too because for example with fiction, they aren't feeding you images, instead you imagine them for yourself), and also it is less typical that people (atm) discuss books, in comparison again, to how easy it is to strike up a conversation about a TV show or film you've seen with some other person. My point is, perhaps we are overstating the extent to which this reading is just apparent and people aren't actually reading. it's difficult to even look at the page of a book without reading it... I wonder if this massive critique we keep making that people aren't actually reading is a way for those who do read and have been reading to feel intellectually superior to those who simply do it for shallow reasons. We're a bit quick to dismiss that there is a genuine desire to escape/learn/read underneath this shift. Yes, it has been aestheticised by the looks of it, but it's important to not write off people's abilities to be genuinely interested and have a genuine want to learn.

[@Hhh-w9o]

Interesting video but I definitely have some criticisms… thought not of you! “Detoxing” from social media, from your phone can be totally and completely free. I leave my phone in my car or locker when I’m at work. I put my phone on another table in the house when my friends are over. I put my phone across the room when I sit to read. So these very expensive phone detox classes or vacations are definitely capitalizing on trends but I hope that it doesn’t show that you need money to spend time away from your phone. (I also have thoughts that the government should get involved in preventing preteens from joining social media, but that’s another matter). I do think that there can be a very elitist attitude towards how you are reading books, or accumulating books. I am not necessarily immune, I have a lot of books I have purchased that remain unread. But we should be shouting from the rooftops that there are so many ways to read books, many completely free with devices. In the US we have Libby/Hoopla, which allows you to borrow ebooks and audiobooks that you can read or listen to on your phone, without the need to get to the library (which can be difficult or impossible without transport). Books in the public domain - so older, classic titles - can be easily accessed through tons of websites like Librivox for audiobooks, or websites like Standard Ebooks or Project Gutenberg for ebooks. And with audiobooks and ebooks, you can made accommodations for reading- audiobooks can be used by those who are blind and sight impaired, and ebooks allow you to switch font sizes and styles to make a book easier to read- it’s one of the reasons ereaders are actually more popular with the elderly so they don’t have to rely on large print books. There is even a font out there specifically designed for readers with dyslexia! Also, NO SHAME in finding chapter summaries of books you find difficult. I had to do this with The Count of Monte Cristo and it helped immensely, so I could continue to enjoy reading it. There will always be performative readers… I’m reading Emma right now by Jane Austen and Emma herself is very much one 😆. But I just hope that people can find books they like in accessible places. Reading doesn’t have to be about sinking $30 usd into a hardback novel that you may or may not like (I make this mistake sometimes). Reading isn’t about finishing 50 books a year. If someone really does not have much time, but can spend maybe 5 or 10 minutes a day to read something they enjoy, then they would read 6 books a year- minimum. I think that’s perfectly achievable for most people, if they do desire to read and have almost 0 leisure time. Bleh, not sure if that all made sense. I just want to shout that reading is for everyone. Don’t let people teach you, whether explicitly or implicitly, that reading is only for the privileged.

[@bram_adams]

I don’t agree with this video. I think you spent too much time setting up an argument around an extremely recent artifact of human history (social media and internet culture) juxtaposed against reading, as if reading only matters because people are posting about it on the Internet or not. Reading is an extremely individualistic act, so making wide sociological claims about trends doesn’t really make sense unless you’re confident that these things aren’t being compared in a vacuum

[@pobbityboppity1110]

The video is specifically about the appearance of reading ON social media and internet culture. It’s not about reading in itself. I think you missed the thesis statement here.

[@pobbityboppity1110]

Classic pueudo-intellectual comment here tbh. Strong disagreement with the video without addressing anything it actually says.

[@annaelenaa]

The 2x speed feature on Tiktok has completely fried my attention span also !!

[@CoffeeAnaBookASMR]

I love reading

[@Elle_Hodges]

Shutting off technology at 9 pm is very late

[@zevscozyplace]

20:25 i had the same existential crisis and i felt the same feeling of Being Too Late to Achieve when I saw learned about the world's youngest cartoonist and saw the article about Swordbird in the American Girl magazine.

[@foreversurfergirl]

I also think you are blaming the internet for a problem the school system caused. I learned far more from myth busters and other science shows/robotics after school programs than I did studying for a test in school. I enjoyed reading fiction books over the summer far more when i didn't have to write a book report, and actually got to choose what I wanted to read. The one size fits all don't question anything because your grade relies somely on route memorization is far more damaging than anything. At least tiktok keeps people curious and engaged and most importantly doesnt ask anything of them but their time and attention. And it doesn't confuse them or bore them to death

[@evakrajickova9263]

Reading is great, but cant we just all read without all this aesthetic bullshit? I am so sick of it.

[@graysongarner7479]

19:03 I would say that there is a difference between knowing how to use big words and using them as a display of intellect. There was a point made elsewhere in the comments that certain types and styles of academic writing is written solely to be consumed by peers within a discipline and not by the general public. Hence, why most gather their knowledge from different forms of media that are digestible interpretations. Thus, I believe that there is a dimension of what is being said, the context in which something is stated, and who is interpreting the statement and their background. Your example, for example may come across as ‘pseudo intellectual’ because it is posted in KZbin comments and you don’t have any background regarding the specific internet term and phrenology. To others with an already established background knowledge it may come across differently. That’s just my unasked for 2 cents though.

[@noni8918]

this video was amazing and veryyy interesting

[@graemeoliver744]

'brain rot' as caused by social media is not a scientifically valid concept, and we have other far better supported explanations for peoples' cognitive issues since 2020. It's also odd to assume that people aren't actually reading the books they say they're reading.

[@painedgray]

People (generally) read books in public for the same reason they go on phones in public: it's a distraction. Not everything is status seeking performance art designed for likes. Some people actually like reading.

[@charlichats]

Exactly! This video is more about those who pose with books, such as celebrities, rather than those who actually read them.

[@SillverBel]

Literature is boring for most people. It's not as emotionally compelling as visual storytelling because we depend on visuals and sound to activate stronger emotional responses from the amygdala, hypothalamus, and the hippocampus. And peoole gravitate toward that sort of strong reaction because it's entertaining. Some people make the strange argument that reading is better because it "makes you think." Well, a million activities can make you think-including video games. But in the 70s, bookworms were viewed like today's gamers.

[@nouraalkadri8820]

Addison Rae reading - unbelievable, Kendall sticking post it notes - legit shit..

[@sav7283]

global literacy rates are actually the highest they've ever been? im curious why you would say they're at an all time low. they're not at an all time low anywhere in the world

[@charlichats]

My resources are in the description - curious as to where you got that info?

[@suvendroseal1724]

Your braids look so wonderful on you.

[@Nadiifaa]

Greaaaaatttt conversation

[@tryphenenyongoni1753]

Reading as always been a status symbol. Celebrities showcasing their feminist books are intensifying a symbol of wealth for sure as reading is an intellectual activity that increase you cultural capital . French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu , introduces this concept to talk about social class and social mobility . With it , he showed that because people with higher economical capital are able to finance better studies and to have more leisure time they are able to increase their cultural capital , making them intellectual elite as well as wealthy. . More, not every book is a consider as a good one . Intellectuals tend to focus on european classics authors making them the highest form of Litterature . The other books young adult, dark romance, manga are viewed as under-litterature , "reading for people who do not know how to read " (I have heard that one ) . Books that do not provide deep reflexion or analysis are not seen as " intellectually worthy" making a link between those who have acces to education and those who don't : it all comes down to financial capital . The performative intellectualism display on social media is not surprising as working and middle class tend to imitate the higher class by dressing like her (old money/clean girl aesthetic) , by living like her ( minimalist decoration and now acting like her (reading) Your video was very nice ! It gave me the opportunity to see this subject with a different light. Thank you !

[@holypuppy]

Bourdieu wrote that before the rise of the internet. Theory is more accessible than ever thanks to websites and podcasts. Most theory is public domain, and thus, free. I think you underestimate how much the average person can understand academic theory that pertains to their own lived experiences, despite their lack of higher education. How do you think people learn in the first place?

[@tryphenenyongoni1753]

​@@holypuppy you are right : people learn from their own experiences. How ever, it ia not the only source of eduaction because one’s experience is not a fact but a hypothesis on a phenomenon. "Academic " knowledge is reliable to learn fact because it is based on research, has a larger scope and is compare with other studies in order to be precise. This way, academic knowledge stays reliable and accurate throughout years. If it is true, that Bourdieu wrote his theory on mobility before internet. Nevertheless, it is still relevant to some extent

[@graemeoliver744]

I'm confused about how Intermezzo is specifically feminist lit... marxist lit yes!

[@charlichats]

I think the creator of the video was joking 😆

[@michaelstephaniemarrero1097]

Marxist lit how?

[@graemeoliver744]

@@michaelstephaniemarrero1097 many ways! Ivan's whole thing about his sources of income is basically an explanation of the marxist concept of alienation of labour. Lots of other examples. Google 'sally rooney marxist', plenty of people have written about this

[@beybladebaby]

when I hear pseudo intellectual my mind immediately thinks of jordan peterson haha

[@theodom1858]

I see you subtly turning this into a long form content video. Very demure, very chique.

[@arachnid4910]

Sally Rooney sucks though 🤣 same with Joan Didion. You need a specific net worth to connect with these types of authors.

[@camillehazel365]

I strongly disagree. I have always read books. In the bus on my way to work, at night before going to sleep or in the morning while eating my breakfast. It is NOT a class thing. Why it has to be "trending" when it has always been there. I have been surrounding by people reading books all my life... go out, stop being online

[@haloitsigmafreud]

i think it’s an incredible oversimplification to just dismiss this entire argument. you may have always read books, but they have historically been status symbols. the economic cost and time required are why impoverished communities continue to have lower literacy rates. similarly, if you have money, you can get anything published; perspectives of the working class are often forgotten or untold in literature because of this. that’s not to say that reading is inaccessible as libraries, online downloads and second hand buying platforms exist, but you cannot deny that books are not equally attainable. i do agree with you though that everyone should read and if you have that desire, then you will find a way.

[@MariusMoonbeam]

@@haloitsigmafreudthank you for writing my reply almost verbatim. I’ve always been a reader but in my environment, no one else was ever actually reading books. Besides myself, I’ve only seen one other person bust out a kindle while out and about in the entire year.

[@neeks7046]

​@@haloitsigmafreud i dont think thats as strong an arguement you think it is. we arent in the 1700s, books are stupid cheap for the most part. i got a book from amazon for like 60 cents last month, and people saying its a class symbol shop on shein and are uberconsumerists, so there is no ground to stand on and say its too expensive. and on literacy rates, thats not completely dependent on books. its a systemic issue, not a personal issue. (my fault with most of the video and the comments are that these are systemic issues and not an individual fault.) when the cherokee language was given a written form, literacy rates rose to the 90s in percentile. we didnt have books, besides the bible and some hymnals, but instead it was being taught and used in corespondance and the newspaper. its about who was allowed to be taught to read, and it happens that historically, people who are poor are undeserving of knowledge as a whole. and as a literally medieval histiorian, like i have a degree in this and have handled actual manuscripts from the medieval ages, they werent even class symbols, because only churches had them (IN THE WESTERN WORLD, books were very prolific in the middle east!!) because they were so stupid expensive that they were special and sacred liturgical texts. who do you think was reading jane eyre or pride and predjudice when it was orginally published? the uber wealthy? or the average middle class to upper lower class person

[@Ash_W04]

For someone who should be really good at reading, it seems you’re unable to comprehend arguments well. The point of this video was to showcase how the rich are beginning to co-opt reading (specifically philosophy/classics) and turning it into a trend/performative activity. That doesn’t mean that you have to be rich to read and nobody said that. It does mean, however, that books are being used as props by the rich.

[@charlichats]

@@Ash_W04yessss this comment!

[@oynisoibr11]

thank you for actually making nuanced content, immediately hit the follow button 🙏🙏 tbh this video wasn’t shocking but rather theorized in a way my recent observations. also comment section was interesting to read

[@lucawagner7996]

girl I DONT KNOW WHY ARE YOU SO UNDERRATED!! I really hope this blows up more bc im not kidding, this was the best video of my life! I thankfully deleted insta of my phone but still redownload it sometimes when i wanna post something. Yesterday I did the same thing, and girl i spent like 3 hours there doomscrolling, i felt so bad so i deleted it again. In my opinion, as long as people are not spending time on their phones, this reading "trend" is a good thing Also im wondering, why is that-as you said and as i see from being a high schooler- students are getting more and more work to do(at least in my system)? or do you think that the number of these tasks havent changed, but our concentrationcapacity(?) is getting worse and wore? I'd love to hear a podcast about it!!

[@reachnandini]

Good video

[@renkosamareal]

Do you have twitter account?