This is an amazing and convincing argument for reading fiction... the best I have met with so far. I will be recommending this video to my bookclub for inspiration. Thank you.
I remember going back almost 23 years to the turn of the millennium, George Will, the well known conservative political commentator and then regular on the show "This Week", was asked who the most consequential person had been in the last 1000 years(at least from a western perspective)and his answer was Shakespeare. And unfortunately I'm not going to do his quote justice, I can only paraphrase but the gist was that Shakespeare illuminated human nature in all its varieties. Shakespeare's work was a mirror to look upon ourselves and what it means to be human. And you can certainly say that for any great work of literary fiction.
Story is all we have.....whether or not we are conscious of it, or experiencing it in fiction or film. Relationship is story, as is ethics....as you mentioned. The more "Story" we know, the more we are capable of inhabiting stories with other people, and offer empathy in relationships.
Music is a profound art form. It is so moving and the emotion and transcendence one can feel while experiencing it is powerful. But if I had to pick…🤔 We don’t have to pick. We can enjoy all of it.
@@ItsTooLatetoApologize ya music is like heroin fast and hardhitting but when you said fiction can be life changing i found that to be true, at least in my experience. thx.
I agree completely and well said. Although, I think film, however more expensive and less imaginative activity from the audience, can send messages with a visceral force, and perhaps greater detail in keeping with its creator than literature. But I don't prefer film; I prefer the text. It leaves too little room for imagination and interpretation I need to find a place in my mind - too much taste arbitrary to its creators, meaning too removed from the medium and therefore abstracted. Not saying it can't be done well, but it has a bias for the present moment, more obstacles, fewer things can be said, fewer still allow it to be said, and so much can go wrong as it carries you along with it. Pacing, sound, atmosphere, voice, sets, weather - it limits who can relate and what one can take from it. It is less a symbol of a tree, and café, and clearly an instance, and we are left to ask what details should be observed - we need not read the words of an easter egg. Books are read differently by everyone - an endless double entendre...
But a film still relies on the fiction; the story. It is the story that carries it. It is a play. In a book the art form is shared between the reader and the writer. It is only together that they create. There is a lot less room (although there still is) for interpretation in film. I love films, don't get me wrong, but books achieve something much deeper in a more personal way to me. It sounds like you agree too. Thank you for sharing.
This is a debate the Greeks tried to solve and at the end of the day it’s subjective. To me (subjective) it’s the distinction between creation and capturing beauty. Capturing beauty needs skill and aesthetic taste. But is it art? That’s in the eye of the beholder perhaps. Perhaps the distinction can be a work’s value to humanity but that can be subject to pretentiousness also. Is reality tv art? It is completely artificial. There is fiction that is poorly executed that I would not consider art. In the end it’s subjective. Photography involves technical skill and an aesthetic eye but it is capturing beauty, but the best level of photography, I would consider art. Non-fiction can be artfully executed but if it strays from reality or the writer inserts too much of themselves it is no longer non-fiction.
If not fruitlessly distracted, most people have a "thing" that speaks to their core. It's probably not fiction. I do agree fiction is the most accessible, potent form of writing (art) that anyone can benefit from. The broadened perspectives linger, compound and can be a valuable supplement to any life.
100% agree! Fiction has definitely had an impact on me. It comforted me when I was lonely and taught me things about humanity and reality. It's hypocritical that people call out fictional literature but spend hours on things like movies, tv shows, and games. There's nothing wrong with them. They serve a similar purpose to literature and I enjoy them as well. It's just strange that people call fiction a waste of time when they give so much of themselves to other media. In my opinion, literature has the edge over them. It exercises the mind and creates imagination in a way other media can't. Only gaming and music comes close. Thanks for the great video! Stay awesome!
Some have said that watching a movie of the book "wastes" less time. I'm not sure what we're in a race to finish though. Nothing is as immersive as a book that sucks you in, and I love movies, but it's not the same. Thank you for sharing.
Art can be applied to nonfiction. In Cold Blood comes to mind. Your point about fiction remains valid because fiction allows imagination free reign, and through it expressions of our humanity, rather than description alone.
I feel there is a difference between creation and capturing beauty. Capturing beauty could be documentaries and photography and other forms. This takes technical knowledge, artistic flare, and an aesthetic eye and taste but it is not creation. I would argue these forms of capturing beauty at their highest level could be art and poor quality creation is not art at all. There is subjectivity to this. I’ve never seen In Cold Blood. I love a good documentary!
Missing your content... So re watching some of my faves... from our unique knee (let us look OVER the savanna grass) our opposable thumbs and stereoscopic vision (tool making and using) and the ability to think in the abstract, and extrapolate (story telling) everything we are is built on our past. That's pretty special, most creatures start from zero. Now, whether rhythm or language came first is not as important as what we did with them... Stories and music and movement, those are my daily requirements. Looking forward to a new review/essay. BTW have you read Arkady Martine? I enjoyed her "space opera", excellent world building.
Sorry for the radio silence recently. My work life and personal life have gotten very busy this year. It's been a struggle to find time to write anything. But I hope to finish a couple reviews soon. Thank you for being here. Humanity's ability to think in the abstract is amazing to think abstractly about. LOL! ;) I have not read any Arkady Martine. Thank you for putting her on my radar.
Hard agree! Wonderfully said, too! Fiction is the most dynamic of artforms; it can encompass the most, I think. I certainly won't deny the sublimity that a good painting or song can possess, but I think the scope of what fiction can render is so much broader. And while I can understand the nonfiction camp, I think history kinda disproves their argument. When we think of "The Great Books", nearly all of them are fictional. Occasionally a nonfiction book might slip in (The Anatomy of Melancholy, for example), but really, when we think of all the nonfiction books that are out there today, how many of them will still be in print 100 years from now? 200? Like you, I've pretty much dedicated my life to the craft, and I'm more content with that decision than any other I can think of. 😎
So ... lol, I can see I'm going to be in the minority here based on the comments already here. First, you did a wonderful job of posting your reasons, and your argument is very well thought out and presented. I agree with most of it. However, I completely do believe that non-fiction is an art. Especially if you are presenting something biographical or historical - the art comes in the presentation and prose. We aren't just writing book reports - there is a definite art to how these books can be written. I also feel that the most important art is what is the most important to YOU individually. I LOVE fiction. Love it. I write fiction and have published fiction. I also write and record original songs. If you were to ask Elton John what he feels is the most important art to him, I'm pretty sure that he would say music. I honestly feel this is completely subjective. 😀 This was a nice video, I enjoyed it. I think it opens up avenues for discussion.
I welcome the minority opinion. 😉 I would argue that even Elton John would say that the power of his music also comes from the lyrics, the story and meaning behind the music. A play or movie is still a fiction or story. It is a variation of the story. Perhaps a better comparison musically would be instrumental or classical music for it has no relation to story then. Do you feel the same for those types of music? Everyone can champion their own preference of art form. It was never my intention to belittle anyone’s opinion. I think it is a great topic of conversation. Thank you for joining it. 😊
@@ItsTooLatetoApologize - I don't feel you've belittled anyone for their opinion or viewpoint. :) Without the music to convey the feeling or emotion that goes into the lyrics, the lyrics are nothing more than a poem. I would gladly go to an Elton John concert over an Elton John recital. The music is what makes it live. I feel the same for classical, instrumental music. I have an instrumental piece that I've written and performed over on my music channel titled "Something Beautiful". It is a song of passion that I felt conveyed my feeling better without lyrics than with. In those instances, it can sometimes be better to let the listener get their own meaning out of it. But, you said it yourself ... "their own preference of art form". It is what we are indvidually passionate about. Everyone is different. 😀
I haven’t set one up yet. It hadn’t occurred to me that anyone would want to support me in such a kind way. I will look into it. Thank you for your kindness.
I'm not sure this is how you do this, but I'm continuing to respond to your response. Just wanted to say that I've begun reading your book ACROSS THE WIRE and am enjoying it. You are a very fine writer, whatever genre you choose. Your poetry? Keep at it. I'm a writer, actor, improvisor, director, producer (of sorts), architect with 78 years behind me. I'm now nearly finished with the first 7-episode season of the sci-fi/philosophy series screenplay I've been working on for the last ten+ years. You are young and beautiful and widely gifted. Like I say, keep at it. You are worth the effort. Tatkhj
@@kennethhowejones7145 awe! Thank you so much. I hope you like Across the Wire and thank you for taking the time to read it. Good luck on your own labor of love. Keep going! You can do it!
Brilliant commentary. This should be shown in schools. Brava.
Thank you!
This is an amazing and convincing argument for reading fiction... the best I have met with so far. I will be recommending this video to my bookclub for inspiration. Thank you.
I remember going back almost 23 years to the turn of the millennium, George Will, the well known conservative political commentator and then regular on the show "This Week", was asked who the most consequential person had been in the last 1000 years(at least from a western perspective)and his answer was Shakespeare. And unfortunately I'm not going to do his quote justice, I can only paraphrase but the gist was that Shakespeare illuminated human nature in all its varieties. Shakespeare's work was a mirror to look upon ourselves and what it means to be human. And you can certainly say that for any great work of literary fiction.
Shakespeare has changed how we speak and how we tell stories and even interpret them. It’s pretty amazing to consider.
Yes! Everything you said!
👊
I agree. We are storytelling creatures and that is our most powerful, most impactful, form of expression.
Cheers to that!🍻
What an interesting question/concept. You make an amazing and wonderful case for it. I'll have to really give this a think.
I'd love to hear your opinion.
Story is all we have.....whether or not we are conscious of it, or experiencing it in fiction or film. Relationship is story, as is ethics....as you mentioned. The more "Story" we know, the more we are capable of inhabiting stories with other people, and offer empathy in relationships.
I agree. Thank you for watching.
I finally finished chapter 5 of the little friend this year and I’m on the verge of tears.
I love that novel!! So good!
i would have said music, but after hearing that rant you have changed my mind, congradulations.
Music is a profound art form. It is so moving and the emotion and transcendence one can feel while experiencing it is powerful. But if I had to pick…🤔
We don’t have to pick. We can enjoy all of it.
@@ItsTooLatetoApologize ya music is like heroin fast and hardhitting but when you said fiction can be life changing i found that to be true, at least in my experience. thx.
@@ajax428 I agree. Thank you for sharing.
I agree completely and well said.
Although, I think film, however more expensive and less imaginative activity from the audience, can send messages with a visceral force, and perhaps greater detail in keeping with its creator than literature.
But I don't prefer film; I prefer the text. It leaves too little room for imagination and interpretation I need to find a place in my mind - too much taste arbitrary to its creators, meaning too removed from the medium and therefore abstracted.
Not saying it can't be done well, but it has a bias for the present moment, more obstacles, fewer things can be said, fewer still allow it to be said, and so much can go wrong as it carries you along with it. Pacing, sound, atmosphere, voice, sets, weather - it limits who can relate and what one can take from it. It is less a symbol of a tree, and café, and clearly an instance, and we are left to ask what details should be observed - we need not read the words of an easter egg. Books are read differently by everyone - an endless double entendre...
But a film still relies on the fiction; the story. It is the story that carries it. It is a play. In a book the art form is shared between the reader and the writer. It is only together that they create. There is a lot less room (although there still is) for interpretation in film. I love films, don't get me wrong, but books achieve something much deeper in a more personal way to me. It sounds like you agree too. Thank you for sharing.
Love this video and mostly agree.
But if non-fiction isn't art then are photography, collage, "ready made art", documentary films, etc. also not art?
This is a debate the Greeks tried to solve and at the end of the day it’s subjective. To me (subjective) it’s the distinction between creation and capturing beauty. Capturing beauty needs skill and aesthetic taste. But is it art? That’s in the eye of the beholder perhaps. Perhaps the distinction can be a work’s value to humanity but that can be subject to pretentiousness also. Is reality tv art? It is completely artificial. There is fiction that is poorly executed that I would not consider art. In the end it’s subjective. Photography involves technical skill and an aesthetic eye but it is capturing beauty, but the best level of photography, I would consider art. Non-fiction can be artfully executed but if it strays from reality or the writer inserts too much of themselves it is no longer non-fiction.
If not fruitlessly distracted, most people have a "thing" that speaks to their core. It's probably not fiction.
I do agree fiction is the most accessible, potent form of writing (art) that anyone can benefit from. The broadened perspectives linger, compound and can be a valuable supplement to any life.
The temptation of fruitless distraction! 🫣😉
Brilliant analysis.
Thank you!
100% agree! Fiction has definitely had an impact on me. It comforted me when I was lonely and taught me things about humanity and reality. It's hypocritical that people call out fictional literature but spend hours on things like movies, tv shows, and games. There's nothing wrong with them. They serve a similar purpose to literature and I enjoy them as well. It's just strange that people call fiction a waste of time when they give so much of themselves to other media. In my opinion, literature has the edge over them. It exercises the mind and creates imagination in a way other media can't. Only gaming and music comes close. Thanks for the great video! Stay awesome!
Some have said that watching a movie of the book "wastes" less time. I'm not sure what we're in a race to finish though. Nothing is as immersive as a book that sucks you in, and I love movies, but it's not the same. Thank you for sharing.
so true and great video
Art can be applied to nonfiction. In Cold Blood comes to mind. Your point about fiction remains valid because fiction allows imagination free reign, and through it expressions of our humanity, rather than description alone.
I feel there is a difference between creation and capturing beauty. Capturing beauty could be documentaries and photography and other forms. This takes technical knowledge, artistic flare, and an aesthetic eye and taste but it is not creation. I would argue these forms of capturing beauty at their highest level could be art and poor quality creation is not art at all. There is subjectivity to this.
I’ve never seen In Cold Blood. I love a good documentary!
Missing your content... So re watching some of my faves...
from our unique knee (let us look OVER the savanna grass) our opposable thumbs and stereoscopic vision (tool making and using) and the ability to think in the abstract, and extrapolate (story telling) everything we are is built on our past. That's pretty special, most creatures start from zero. Now, whether rhythm or language came first is not as important as what we did with them... Stories and music and movement, those are my daily requirements. Looking forward to a new review/essay. BTW have you read Arkady Martine? I enjoyed her "space opera", excellent world building.
Sorry for the radio silence recently. My work life and personal life have gotten very busy this year. It's been a struggle to find time to write anything. But I hope to finish a couple reviews soon. Thank you for being here. Humanity's ability to think in the abstract is amazing to think abstractly about. LOL! ;) I have not read any Arkady Martine. Thank you for putting her on my radar.
Brilliant analysis. impressive. 👌👌
Thank you!
Hard agree! Wonderfully said, too! Fiction is the most dynamic of artforms; it can encompass the most, I think. I certainly won't deny the sublimity that a good painting or song can possess, but I think the scope of what fiction can render is so much broader. And while I can understand the nonfiction camp, I think history kinda disproves their argument. When we think of "The Great Books", nearly all of them are fictional. Occasionally a nonfiction book might slip in (The Anatomy of Melancholy, for example), but really, when we think of all the nonfiction books that are out there today, how many of them will still be in print 100 years from now? 200? Like you, I've pretty much dedicated my life to the craft, and I'm more content with that decision than any other I can think of. 😎
😎😎😎😎😎
I completely agree. Thank you for sharing.
So ... lol, I can see I'm going to be in the minority here based on the comments already here. First, you did a wonderful job of posting your reasons, and your argument is very well thought out and presented. I agree with most of it. However, I completely do believe that non-fiction is an art. Especially if you are presenting something biographical or historical - the art comes in the presentation and prose. We aren't just writing book reports - there is a definite art to how these books can be written. I also feel that the most important art is what is the most important to YOU individually. I LOVE fiction. Love it. I write fiction and have published fiction. I also write and record original songs. If you were to ask Elton John what he feels is the most important art to him, I'm pretty sure that he would say music. I honestly feel this is completely subjective. 😀 This was a nice video, I enjoyed it. I think it opens up avenues for discussion.
I welcome the minority opinion. 😉 I would argue that even Elton John would say that the power of his music also comes from the lyrics, the story and meaning behind the music. A play or movie is still a fiction or story. It is a variation of the story. Perhaps a better comparison musically would be instrumental or classical music for it has no relation to story then. Do you feel the same for those types of music? Everyone can champion their own preference of art form. It was never my intention to belittle anyone’s opinion. I think it is a great topic of conversation. Thank you for joining it. 😊
@@ItsTooLatetoApologize - I don't feel you've belittled anyone for their opinion or viewpoint. :) Without the music to convey the feeling or emotion that goes into the lyrics, the lyrics are nothing more than a poem. I would gladly go to an Elton John concert over an Elton John recital. The music is what makes it live. I feel the same for classical, instrumental music. I have an instrumental piece that I've written and performed over on my music channel titled "Something Beautiful". It is a song of passion that I felt conveyed my feeling better without lyrics than with. In those instances, it can sometimes be better to let the listener get their own meaning out of it. But, you said it yourself ... "their own preference of art form". It is what we are indvidually passionate about. Everyone is different. 😀
I haven't been able to find you on patreon by your name. I'll try your channel name. I'm trying to find how and where to support you.
Tatkhj
I haven’t set one up yet. It hadn’t occurred to me that anyone would want to support me in such a kind way. I will look into it. Thank you for your kindness.
Please do. You are a very talented reviewer, much better than most ... anywhere that I've found.
I'm not sure this is how you do this, but I'm continuing to respond to your response.
Just wanted to say that I've begun reading your book ACROSS THE WIRE and am enjoying it.
You are a very fine writer, whatever genre you choose. Your poetry?
Keep at it.
I'm a writer, actor, improvisor, director, producer (of sorts), architect with 78 years behind me. I'm now nearly finished with the first 7-episode season of the sci-fi/philosophy series screenplay I've been working on for the last ten+ years.
You are young and beautiful and widely gifted.
Like I say, keep at it. You are worth the effort.
Tatkhj
@@kennethhowejones7145 awe! Thank you so much. I hope you like Across the Wire and thank you for taking the time to read it. Good luck on your own labor of love. Keep going! You can do it!
You are doing a great job on your channel!!! You really need 'promosm'!!!
Thank you! I’ll check that out.