The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't read

noblehead · Sep 6, 2012

Just to reply to your post Stephen without derailing the OP's Cholesterol and diabetes thread.

Now you said in your reply after calling people ''Ignorant'' who don't read books:

''Books are knowledge. Knowledge is the antidote to ignorance. In a world of libraries, second hand books, free e-books, and audiobooks there really is no excuse for not "reading". There is certainly no excuse for openly critising a book that you have never read, especially if you somehow perceive the contents as controversial. With that type of thinking there would be no Origin of Species, no Wealth of Nations, no Das Kapital...''

But what about people who cannot read anymore due to a stroke for example, my mother had a stroke 3 years ago and hasn't read a book since and her short term memory is shot, is she 'without knowledge' or how you like to put it ''IGNORANT''?

Disability charities would be appalled at anyone saying such a thing about people who are disadvantaged in society and simply cannot read books, you really need to always at the bigger picture and not think that everyone is in the same position as youself.

Just one more thing, there are many things in life we learn without the need to read a book, for example walking, riding a bike, learning to drive, swimming, forming a relationship, traveling and much much more, the greatest University in the world as my Lecturer once said is ''The University of Life''....... :thumbup:

anna29 · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

Hi All... with respect
Some people like to read up to 'clarify' facts and after summarising things then
make up their own mind .
Some people for various reasons dont or cant read the facts it really is up to the individuals concerned...
To label a person as being ignorant for not reading anything at all through ignorance is grey world as there
are reasons possibly why a person cant,wont,dont read...
There are lots of possibilities as to how or why someone may choose 'not' to read .
But to judge and label "all" non reading persons as ignorant is bit unfair an opinion!
After all "what" if someone cant 'read' or is with a disability that limits or prevents them to read .
Anna.

BioHaZarD · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

I don't read books, I read the paper, news online, magazines, but never books. Just don't get it? I don't have the patience to read books.

anna29 · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

Right everyone...
There are two ways of looking at this thread as there are 2 sides to a coin...
No hysteria or bickering or arguing needed either.
This thread is now on report and being moderated.
Please keep to the topic and refrain from personal attacks.
Anna.

shop · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

Hi Guys,

Just to add to this debate. We all learn in different ways. Knowledge is power and we can gain knowledge several ways. By reading, listening, observing, doing, applying.

Anyone heard of Kolbs Learning styles?

Pragmatist.......Learns best when applied to the job in hand or workplace.
Theorist...........Learns best by taking on board theoretical information.
Activist............Learns best by getting stuck in and just doing it.
Reflector..........Learns best by observing and listening.

I truely believe that this has a profound impact on how we learn. As an ex Training Manager when writing a training course one has to ensure that all 4 learning styles are considered.

So to call someone who doesn't read is a very limited view. Some people can't get enough of reading others simply dont enjoy it. And some as Nigel said simply are unable.

Lucy xxx

anna29 · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

BioHaZarD said:
I don't read books, I read the paper, news online, magazines, but never books. Just don't get it? I don't have the patience to read books.

Hi BioHaZarD.
Know what you mean with your points here - I know a bloke who never reads anything yet
as a nuclear medicine specialist, he hasnt the patience to read things either.
Though he leaves sky news on endlessly! It drives me mad too :crazy:
This is his way of keeping up with what is happening in the world...
Anna.

shop · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

Apologies.................. it was Honey and Mumford who used those particular labels, however Kolb does have the same concept with more specific and detailed analogies. Been out of training for longer than i'd realised :roll:

anna29 · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

Am clearing this thread up due to the negative points reoccurring after it got back on track ...
+1 etc on personal attacks not appropiate here...
Any more will result in lockdown.
This isnt positive on a topic that can actually be well debated and discussed more positively.
Anna.

borofergie · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

Need to take this in context - I was replying to a point by Nigel who suggested that the authors of controversial books were only motivated by money.

I gave Nigel a list of controversial books that included Wealth of Nations, Das Kapital and Origin of Species. I wondered how Nigel made the arbitrary distinction between those controversial books and the ones about cholesterol that he appears to disagree with.

I am waiting for his answer.

borofergie · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

noblehead said:
Disability charities would be appalled at anyone saying such a thing about people who are disadvantaged in society and simply cannot read books, you really need to always at the bigger picture and not think that everyone is in the same position as youself.

I am Chairman of Governors for one of the best schools for young adults with learning difficulties in the country. All of the pupils - no matter how profound their learning disability - use books as part of their education. My own son has Downs Syndrome and autism, has an active vocabulary of no more than 30 words, but is still an avid reader of books at his own level. It's a central part of the education process.

noblehead said:
Just one more thing, there are many things in life we learn without the need to read a book, for example walking, riding a bike, learning to drive, swimming, forming a relationship, traveling and much much more, the greatest University in the world as my Lecturer once said is ''The University of Life''....... :thumbup:

You need to read the highway code in order to qualify to drive.

Actually, the greatest University in the world is a straight shoot between MIT, Imperial College and Cambridge. Can you guess which one I went to?

borofergie · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

borofergie said:
Books are knowledge. Knowledge is the antidote to ignorance. In a world of libraries, second hand books, free e-books, and audiobooks there really is no excuse for not "reading". There is certainly no excuse for openly critising a book that you have never read, especially if you somehow perceive the contents as controversial. With that type of thinking there would be no Origin of Species, no Wealth of Nations, no Das Kapital...

This is not an uncommon point of view. No educated person would advocate not reading:

"Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.”
― Walter Cronkite

“A library is like an island in the middle of a vast sea of ignorance, particularly if the library is very tall and the surrounding area has been flooded.”
― Daniel Handler

“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.”
― Harlan Ellison

“Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin

“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”
― Derek Bok

“...Writings can be stolen, or changed, or used for evil purposes. But isn't the risk worth taking? The more people who share knowledge, the greater safeguard for it. Isn't there more danger in ignorance than knowledge?”
― Lloyd Alexander

“Fear always springs from ignorance.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Science replaces private prejudice with public, verifiable evidence.”
― Richard Dawkins

“To tell you the truth, I used to consider it a disgrace to be found ignorant by other people. But now, I find that I am not ashamed of knowing less than others, and I'm less inclined to force myself to read books. In short, I have grown old and decrepit.”
― Natsume Sōseki

“Ignorance is a knowledge illiteracy.”
― Toba Beta

“I look around and see that many — not all, but many — problems we've got could be solved if our culture simply fostered the habit of reading. Reading books of science, philosophy, history. Reading literature of quality, the sort that touches us because of a more profound reason, such as, for instance, because it's got something to say beyond all the futilities and trifles of life, even while depicting the ordinary in life, at the same time that it says it with style, in a unique, admirable manner. An original one.

Yes, I look around and see that many problems could be solved if we had the habit of reading. But I am not even sure whether there is someone reading these words.”
― Camilo Gomes Jr

noblehead · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

borofergie said:
I am Chairman of Governors for one of the best schools for young adults with learning difficulties in the country. All of the pupils - no matter how profound their learning disability - use books as part of their education. My own son has Downs Syndrome and autism, has an active vocabulary of no more than 30 words, but is still an avid reader of books at his own level. It's a central part of the education process.

Really surprised you said ''The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't read any books is "ignorant'' given you are Chairman of a school with learning disabilities

Anyway I can see that you now realise what you said was wrong and could be taken out of context so I'll say no more on the matter, you should be more careful in the words you use in future and how it may be percieved to readers who don't know your personality.

BTW, the greatest University in the world is definitly The University of Life......we just never stop learning :thumbup:

Anonymous · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

we all read....Thats why we are all online, on forums, to gain knowledge and find quick answers to things that are beyond our knowledge....I have gained a lot of knowledge being online and constantly reading others thoughts and opinions....If that makes me dumb for not reading books...Try picking up a book after studying for 5 years for a degree....I'd glady hit you over the head with one :lol: :lol: :lol:

Robinredbreast · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

shop said:
Hi Guys,

Just to add to this debate. We all learn in different ways. Knowledge is power and we can gain knowledge several ways. By reading, listening, observing, doing, applying.

Anyone heard of Kolbs Learning styles?

Pragmatist.......Learns best when applied to the job in hand or workplace.
Theorist...........Learns best by taking on board theoretical information.
Activist............Learns best by getting stuck in and just doing it.
Reflector..........Learns best by observing and listening.

I truely believe that this has a profound impact on how we learn. As an ex Training Manager when writing a training course one has to ensure that all 4 learning styles are considered.

So to call someone who doesn't read is a very limited view. Some people can't get enough of reading others simply dont enjoy it. And some as Nigel said simply are unable.

Lucy xxx

I love reading, I'm reading a book right now with the author writing about WW11, fiction I love it and cant wait to pick it up again. Many older people who may have had dyslexsia, but were called dunces etc just couldn't read, write or spell and went on through their adult lives living with this and often in secrecy too because of the 'shame'. I cant imagine what that was like for these people and not being able to even read the news headlines or help their children with school work. Ignorance, cannot rear its ugly head.

As you have said Lucy. I am one of those who cant get enough of reading, but my trouble is, I get 'stuck into a book' and my daughter can be saying something and I don't hear it, sorry sweetheart RRB ps I also love looking in my Thesaurus, it's a brilliant book A quote written on the back of the Thesaurus :- 'As normal a part of an intelligent household's library as the bible, Shakespear and a dictionary' - Daily Telegraph

borofergie · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

noblehead said:
Really surprised you said ''The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't read any books is "ignorant'' given you are Chairman of a school with learning disabilities

The students have learning difficulties, not the school...

As I said - every young adult in my school reads books to the best of their ability. There isn't one of them that doesn't read any books.

Assuming that people with special educational needs do not enjoy books says alot about your prejudices and has no relevance to the reality of education.

noblehead said:
Anyway I can see that you now realise what you said was wrong and could be taken out of context so I'll say no more on the matter, you should be more careful in the words you use in future and how it may be percieved to readers who don't know your personality.

I stand by my original position. As far as I am concerned, there aren't enough days left in my life to read all of the books that I need to read.

I concede that you might be able to partially cure ignorance by reading newspapers and journals (which are in fact books), but whichever way you look at it, the vast majority of human knowledge is contained in books (either physical or virtual). That may change in the future, but for now, if you choose to ignore books then you are not maximising your educational potential, and are therefore more ignorant than you might be.

I also stand by my point that you are wrong to criticise a book that you haven't bothered to read. Especially on the grounds that the books in question are "controversial". I'd argue that most of the great books of our culture were regarded as "controversial" when they were published. That's what makes them great books.

Now if you'd kindly answer the point I made about Das Kapital, the Wealth of Nations and Origin of Species...

borofergie · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

noblehead said:
BTW, the greatest University in the world is definitly The University of Life......we just never stop learning :thumbup:

Doesn't sound like you went to Imperial then Nige...

borofergie · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

If I breathe in very deeply when I read this thread, I catch the distinct aroma of censorship...

People have died for their right read books.

People have killed in order to deny people of their right to read books.

All of the major religions in the world are based around a book.

noblehead · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

borofergie said:
I concede that you might be able to partially cure ignorance by reading newspapers and journals

I'll take it all back that you've learnt your lesson Stephen :shock:

Grazer · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

I've arrived late on this thread, so may have missed some of the modding referred to. However, I have now read the original post on the other thread that apparently caused all this concern. It seems clear to me that the original post was aimed at people who choose not to read, rather than any who can't. So to imply that the post was disrespectful to people who can't read through disability seems to me to be a bit mischievious. Things only get taken out of context if someone wants to take them out of context.

borofergie · Sep 6, 2012

Re: The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't r

Just one example:
Books for people with profound learning disabilities
http://www.bagbooks.org/

The word that is used to describe someone that doesn't read

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