If You Could Burn a Book, or an Author...

[GeeBee]

Any book by Orson Scott Card.

[xshady121]

Naomi Wolf.

[The Personist]

Ayn Rand.

[diehtc0ke]

The Harry Potter Books

They go against my Lord.

[GeeBee]

STEPHANIE MEYER

Beat that, bitches.

[diehtc0ke]

I've never read her so I can't judge as hard as I can the HP series.

[saysmydoctor]

Ayn Rand.
Thisxmypostcount.

[bung]

Any book by Orson Scott Card.

You didn't like Ender's game, or the entire saga for that matter?

[saysmydoctor]

Also would like to add Ayn Rand.

[Java Nick]

Ayn Rand.

http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/150385

[GeeBee]

You didn't like Ender's game, or the entire saga for that matter?
They guy weaves mormon theology throughout the entire saga...so the entire saga. And if you want to read some canned crazy, read his articles in the Deseret News. Dude's wacked.
Also would like to add Ayn Rand.
A fine contribution!

[Machu505]

Can it be more than one? If so:
Ayn Rand
Glenn Beck
Michelle Malkin
Ann Coulter
Stephanie Meyer
Dick Cheney's future memoirs.
Ted Nugent's book(s?)

[Justin_stacy]

STEPHANIE MEYER

Beat that, bitches.

what that bitch did to the vampire genre, she deserves alot worse than a good burning.

[Java Nick]

Can it be more than one? If so:
Ayn Rand
Glenn Beck
Michelle Malkin
Ann Coulter
Stephanie Meyer
Dick Cheney's future memoirs.
Ted Nugent's book(s?)

Thank you for suggesting Ann Coulter.

Also, anything by Bill O'Reilly.

[bung]

They guy weaves mormon theology throughout the entire saga...so the entire saga. And if you want to read some canned crazy, read his articles in the Deseret News. Dude's wacked.


I know he weaves Mormon theology into his books. But I don't take it as anything more than an added element to his fiction. Regardless of the Mormonism he puts into his works, I still find them to be insightful, interesting, and entertaining with strong character development and some thoughtful moral dilemmas. Granted, he isn't a necessarily a "great" writer in the literary sense, but I would certainly call him a capable one.

His Homecoming Earth series does it a lot more blatantly (with the Mormonism) than the Ender's series which does detract from the story in that case, but it doesn't make it unreadable even to an atheist like me. When I read the Ender saga, nothing stuck out to me like, "Wow, that's so Mormon and absurd." I'm sure he subtlety stuck in some stuff, and I'm sure a lot of it aligns with Mormon "values," but even so I thought it was great.

I've never read anything he's wrote outside of his novels, so I'll take your word for it that he's wacked.

[open mind]

he may have written what are considered classics but i absolutely cannot stand melville. attempting to read him infuriates me from some reason.

[Java Nick]

what that bitch did to the vampire genre, she deserves alot worse than a good burning.

Have you read or seen the film adaptation of "Let the Right One In"? Loved the film (hoping to pick up the book here soon). Excellent vampire fiction.

[blink182gether]

Tucker Max.

He is a stain on the underpants of humanity.

[as_we_learn]

The Bible, The Torah, and The Qu'ran just to get closer to the truth.

[The Personist]

Can it be more than one? If so:
Ayn Rand
Glenn Beck
Michelle Malkin
Ann Coulter
Stephanie Meyer
Dick Cheney's future memoirs.
Ted Nugent's book(s?)

Solid list.

[Justin_stacy]

Have you read or seen the film adaptation of "Let the Right One In"? Loved the film (hoping to pick up the book here soon). Excellent vampire fiction.

wasn't as impressed as some, but enjoyed it alot more the second time around. If you like the genre check out Near Dark, probably the best non-dracula vampire film.

http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1224552

[Java Nick]

The Bible, The Torah, and The Qu'ran just to get closer to the truth.

Referencing the religious texts, I'm reminded of something Kurt Vonnegut once wrote:

"Listen. All great literature is about what a bummer it is to be a human being: Moby Dick, Huckleberry Finn, The Red Badge of Courage, the Iliad and the Odyssey, Crime and Punishment, the Bible and The Charge of the Light Brigade."

[Machu505]

Why has this not been mentioned yet? Mein Kampf.

[The Personist]

Why has this not been mentioned yet? Mein Kampf.

Hahahaha Yes.

[yves.]

Thank you for suggesting Ann Coulter.

Also, anything by Bill O'Reilly.


ann coulter and B.O. were the first people I thought of after seeing the thread title.

props to whoever mentioned stephEnie meyer, though. just the spelling of her name makes me want to kick someone.

[thedrewman998]

I know he weaves Mormon theology into his books. But I don't take it as anything more than an added element to his fiction. Regardless of the Mormonism he puts into his works, I still find them to be insightful, interesting, and entertaining with strong character development and some thoughtful moral dilemmas. Granted, he isn't a necessarily a "great" writer in the literary sense, but I would certainly call him a capable one.

His Homecoming Earth series does it a lot more blatantly (with the Mormonism) than the Ender's series which does detract from the story in that case, but it doesn't make it unreadable even to an atheist like me. When I read the Ender saga, nothing stuck out to me like, "Wow, that's so Mormon and absurd." I'm sure he subtlety stuck in some stuff, and I'm sure a lot of it aligns with Mormon "values," but even so I thought it was great.

I've never read anything he's wrote outside of his novels, so I'll take your word for it that he's wacked.

honestly i don't care what he writes outside his books - i loved the shit out of the ender's series when i was younger

[My Broken Fever]

A lot of Dutch authors.

[rehmaa]

i hate Stephanie Meyer.

[Akissforher]

yeah definately the twilight series.

[bung]

Why has this not been mentioned yet? Mein Kampf.

Going into this, I really thought it would have a stronger story.

[richie]

Tucker Max.

He is a stain on the underpants of humanity.

I LOVED his book. Yeah, it's shallow btu it's funny as hell.

[Amour For Liars]

The bible.

[Broclee]

The bible.
Edgy as fuck.


Anyways, The Scarlett Letter. I despise that book. Thanks AP English 11!

[paper halo]

The bible.

/edgy

EDIT: Dammit, someone got there first!

[iheartmusic043]

STEPHANIE MEYER

Beat that, bitches.
Because of her, when I go in any bookstore, the young adult section is filled with stupid vampire books. Not every teenage girl is obsessed with vampires.

The Bible, The Torah, and The Qu'ran just to get closer to the truth.
Nice Bright Eyes reference. Such a good song,

[Broclee]

/edgy

EDIT: Dammit, someone got there first!
:-d

[yves.]

my Antonia and the bitch who wrote it.

[whataclush]

every "holy" book.

[shimmyshakes]

Edgy as fuck.


Anyways, The Scarlett Letter. I despise that book. Thanks AP English 11!

haha all my friends are reading that for their summer English project. I'm glad I chose Pudd'nhead Wilson instead.

[Josh Weinstein]

"If I Did It" by O.J. Simpson

[briannedixon]

"If I Did It" by O.J. Simpson
hahahhaaha

i'm probably gonna get shit for this, but i'd burn beowulf. had to read it for school, and hated it. yuck.

[Fedaykin]

Any book by Orson Scott Card.

EPIC FAIL!

[Fedaykin]

They guy weaves mormon theology throughout the entire saga

Following this logic, we should burn all of C.S. Lewis' Narnia books along with The Hobbit, for their Christian theology

Also, I have read Ender's Game ad nauseum, plz point out the "mormon theology" in it

[GeeBee]

Following this logic, we should burn all of C.S. Lewis' Narnia books along with The Hobbit, for their Christian theology

Also, I have read Ender's Game ad nauseum, plz point out the "mormon theology" in it

It simply means he jacked narratives from mormon scripture. That's no good.

I'm not going to do your homework for you. You've read Ender's Game ad nauseum, now go read up on Mormon theology ad nauseum.

[Fedaykin]

It simply means he jacked narratives from mormon scripture. That's no good.

I'm not going to do your homework for you. You've read Ender's Game ad nauseum, now go read up on Mormon theology ad nauseum.

I have, and I'm no fan of the Mormons. But the burden is on YOU to provide proof because you're making the argument. Otherwise, it's he said/she said

[GeeBee]

I have, and I'm no fan of the Mormons. But the burden is on YOU to provide proof because you're making the argument. Otherwise, it's he said/she said

Which I'm fine with. It's my opinion. I never claimed any objectivity.

[Fedaykin]

Which I'm fine with. It's my opinion. I never claimed any objectivity.

Wow, must say I wasn't expecting that

[GeeBee]

Wow, must say I wasn't expecting that

Why's that? Because I'm usually in for a good tussle?

[Fedaykin]

Why's that? Because I'm usually in for a good tussle?

Never consciously followed your comments but I was so geared up for one you conceding complete and utter defeat to me came as a surprise

[GeeBee]

Never consciously followed your comments but I was so geared up for one you conceding complete and utter defeat to me came as a surprise

Well, I don't know how there can be "complete and utter defeat" in the entirely subjective field of taste and opinion, but whatever gets you by. I honestly find science fiction literature to be utterly boring and its fanbase replete with sexually repressed losers...but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're not one of those...

[My Broken Fever]

Well, I don't know how there can be "complete and utter defeat" in the entirely subjective field of taste and opinion, but whatever gets you by. I honestly find science fiction literature to be utterly boring and its fanbase replete with sexually repressed losers... but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're not one of those... M-(

[Fedaykin]

Well, I don't know how there can be "complete and utter defeat" in the entirely subjective field of taste and opinion,

Agreed, that was to goad you back into the argument

I honestly find science fiction literature to be utterly boring and its fanbase replete with sexually repressed losers

How did you arrive at this conclusion (read: ad hominem attack/hasty generalization)

but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're not one of those...

You've already insulted my taste, why start the pleasantries now?

[GeeBee]

M-(
...in the U.S. anyways...(backs off slowly from visibly angered dutchman...)
Agreed, that was to goad you back into the argument



How did you arrive at this conclusion (read: ad hominem attack/hasty generalization)



You've already insulted my taste, why start the pleasantries now?

I arrived at that admittedly hasty generalization by watching some of my best friends.

And I started the pleasantries because, like said friends, we can disagree on science fiction and still enjoy a nice discourse on other topics.

[My Broken Fever]

...in the U.S. anyways...(backs off slowly from visibly angered dutchman...) Ah yes, foreign heathens. /walks off talking softly to self

[Fedaykin]

...in the U.S. anyways...(backs off slowly from visibly angered dutchman...)


I arrived at that admittedly hasty generalization by watching some of my best friends.

And I started the pleasantries because, like said friends, we can disagree on science fiction and still enjoy a nice discourse on other topics.

I'm only kidding

[GeeBee]

Ah yes, foreign heathens. /walks off talking softly to self
:-d
I'm only kidding

And I'm speaking tongue-in-cheek as well. Honestly, most of my disdain for Card is from his uber-conservative editorial pieces in of of Utah's newspapers which he contributes to.

[Animalhill]

Well, I don't know how there can be "complete and utter defeat" in the entirely subjective field of taste and opinion, but whatever gets you by. I honestly find science fiction literature to be utterly boring and its fanbase replete with sexually repressed losers...but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're not one of those...
hahaha I second this.
And as for an answer to the thread topic:
I was going to say Ayn Rand before I saw that she's already been tied to a post and torched in here.
SO: I'm going to go ahead and say Chuck Palahniuk.

[GeeBee]

hahaha I second this.
And as for an answer to the thread topic:
I was going to say Ayn Rand before I saw that she's already been tied to a post and torched in here.
SO: I'm going to go ahead and say Chuck Palahniuk.

Backed.

[GeeBee]

Anyone remember R.L. Stine?
Goosebumps were the shizzle in my day.

[bung]

Anyone remember R.L. Stine?
Goosebumps were the shizzle in my day.

I've read 1 - 30! I remember I saved the one called Why I'm Afraid of Bees for last because I thought it had the stupidest title. :shrug:

Oh yeah, I stopped after #30 because the Accelerated Reader program at our school only had tests and gave points for the ones 30 and under. But yeah.. that was in like 4th grade, so it's a bit hazy.

[Animalhill]

Backed.
You, David, and Finishthesky are probably the only other posters on this site that would back that- so thank you.
And of course I remember Goosebumps. However, I am currently scouring the internet to find the title of these really fucked up short stories I read when I was a kid. All I remember is that the artwork scared the shit out of me. Needless to say, the search is bringing little fruition.

[My Broken Fever]

Anyone remember R.L. Stine?
Goosebumps were the shizzle in my day. Haha I probably still have those in a box in the basement somewhere. :-d

[GeeBee]

I've read 1 - 30! I remember I saved the one called Why I'm Afraid of Bees for last because I thought it had the stupidest title. :shrug:

Oh yeah, I stopped after #30 because the Accelerated Reader program at our school only had tests and gave points for the ones 30 and under. But yeah.. that was in like 4th grade, so it's a bit hazy.

Yeah, after awhile they started to get too fantasy-laden for my personal tastes...but those were good times!

I moved on to Lois Duncan scary books...now those could give you the shivers.

[bung]

You, David, and Finishthesky are probably the only other posters on this site that would back that- so thank you.
And of course I remember Goosebumps. However, I am currently scouring the internet to find the title of these really fucked up short stories I read when I was a kid. All I remember is that the artwork scared the shit out of me. Needless to say, the search is bringing little fruition.

I'm pretty sure I know exactly what you're talking about, but I don't know the title either, haha.

[Animalhill]

I'm pretty sure I know exactly what you're talking about, but I don't know the title either, haha.
The artwork used like, really skinny, sketchy lines. I remember heads being huge and disproportionate to the bodies... FUCK! I MUST find this.

[GeeBee]

You, David, and Finishthesky are probably the only other posters on this site that would back that- so thank you.
And of course I remember Goosebumps. However, I am currently scouring the internet to find the title of these really fucked up short stories I read when I was a kid. All I remember is that the artwork scared the shit out of me. Needless to say, the search is bringing little fruition.

Scary Stories to tell in the dark.
Alvin Schwartz was the author.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Schwartz_(children%27s_author (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Schwartz_%28children%27s_auth or))

[Animalhill]

Scary Stories to tell in the dark.
Alvin Schwartz was the author.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Schwartz_(children%27s_author (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Schwartz_%28children%27s_auth or))
YES!!! How the fuck did you find this? *curses self for not KNOWING the author was Jewish*

[GeeBee]

YES!!! How the fuck did you find this? *curses self for not KNOWING the author was Jewish*

I have a photographic memory. I loved those books, and the illustrations were freaky as hell.

[blink182gether]

I've read 1 - 30! I remember I saved the one called Why I'm Afraid of Bees for last because I thought it had the stupidest title. :shrug:

Oh yeah, I stopped after #30 because the Accelerated Reader program at our school only had tests and gave points for the ones 30 and under. But yeah.. that was in like 4th grade, so it's a bit hazy.

Hah I remember that program. I remember I tried to take the quizzes for Les Miserable and The Count of Monte Cristo. If you passed either of those, you wouldn't have to take another quiz all year (those books are monsters). The allure was too strong, so off to blockbuster I went.

Lets just say, watching the movies didn't cut it.

[blink182gether]

Scary Stories to tell in the dark.
Alvin Schwartz was the author.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Schwartz_(children%27s_author (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Schwartz_%28children%27s_auth or))

You win, sir.

I just bought the "Scary Stories Treasury" on amazon. Nostalgia literally drips off the page of those books.

[GeeBee]

Hah I remember that program. I remember I tried to take the quizzes for Les Miserable and The Count of Monte Cristo. If you passed either of those, you wouldn't have to take another quiz all year (those books are monsters). The allure was too strong, so off to blockbuster I went.

Lets just say, watching the movies didn't cut it.
Too many of us poor saps had to learn this the hard way.

[GeeBee]

You win, sir.

I just bought the "Scary Stories Treasury" on amazon. Nostalgia literally drips off the page of those books.

Seriously. The "Defalgo" story about the indian that gets sucked into the sky by the wind....freaky shit.

[bung]

Hah I remember that program. I remember I tried to take the quizzes for Les Miserable and The Count of Monte Cristo. If you passed either of those, you wouldn't have to take another quiz all year (those books are monsters). The allure was too strong, so off to blockbuster I went.

Lets just say, watching the movies didn't cut it.

I read David Copperfield in 4th fucking grade because it was worth like a bajillion points. I remember I did get a lot of points from the test, but I don't think I understood the book one lick.

I also tried watching the movie of To Kill a Mockingbird and failed miserably when it came to take the test.

[Animalhill]

I have a photographic memory. I loved those books, and the illustrations were freaky as hell.

Seriously. The "Defalgo" story about the indian that gets sucked into the sky by the wind....freaky shit.
Looking back, those books are mad fucked up considering they were marketed towards children. Which makes me wonder: would those books be allowed into school librarys in 2009?

[GeeBee]

Demons by Dostoyevsky. That book is the biggest monster, and is an incomprehensible mess. And Fyodor is my favorite author.

[GeeBee]

Looking back, those books are mad fucked up considering they were marketed towards children. Which makes me wonder: would those books be allowed into school librarys in 2009?

I remember some parents making a stink about the onslaught of scary stories books for kids. Perhaps for good reason....I had a book called "Haunted Kids" that scared me so bad that I voluntarily threw it away because I could swear that Satan was behind it, haha.

[Animalhill]

I remember some parents making a stink about the onslaught of scary stories books for kids. Perhaps for good reason....I had a book called "Haunted Kids" that scared me so bad that I voluntarily threw it away because I could swear that Satan was behind it, haha.
haha oh, you young Mormons.

[GeeBee]

haha oh, you young Mormons.

Haha, I might see if I can find it again...shit was scary good times.

[bung]

Demons by Dostoyevsky. That book is the biggest monster, and is an incomprehensible mess. And Fyodor is my favorite author.

I have yet to read that one. Is it the same book as The Possessed/The Devils? And it's true, right, that Russian doesn't use words like "the"? I forget what they're called, articles of something or other.

[Animalhill]

I have yet to read that one. Is it the same book as The Possessed/The Devils? And it's true, right, that Russian doesn't use words like "the"? I forget what they're called, articles of something or other.
Indefinite articles?
And I think that may the case (as in the book being a mess) because of the translation.

[Jimmy_Love]

Hmm... while I don't agree with all of her philosophy, I certainly can't agree with all the hate towards her. The Fountainhead is one of the few books I legitimately enjoyed in high school.

I remember in 9th grade I had to read Things Fall Apart and I absolutely couldn't stand it. I remember I paid the 5 dollars for the book so I could dismember it.

[GeeBee]

I have yet to read that one. Is it the same book as The Possessed/The Devils? And it's true, right, that Russian doesn't use words like "the"? I forget what they're called, articles of something or other.
Yeah, they can't seem to agree on what to call it because there's not a really good translation of "Бесы", (byesi) which means "the possessORS", but such a word doesn't really carry the right meaning in english.

And yes, it's true that there are no articles in the Russian language.
Indefinite articles?
And I think that may the case (as in the book being a mess) because of the translation.
Not to mention the fact that back then, books were written a section at a time for periodicals, so they tended to ramble more than they perhaps would have otherwise. That's a particular problem with Demons.
Hmm... while I don't agree with all of her philosophy, I certainly can't agree with all the hate towards her. The Fountainhead is one of the few books I legitimately enjoyed in high school.

I remember in 9th grade I had to read Things Fall Apart and I absolutely couldn't stand it. I remember I paid the 5 dollars for the book so I could dismember it.

I think most of the hate springs from the fact that people confuse agreement with her philosophy with her ability to write well, which she did not have.

[jjjkman]

STEPHANIE MEYER

Beat that, bitches.

This is what I came in here to say. Thank you.

[optimusrob]

Fahrenheit 451... wait

[Scott Farcas]

The Da Vinci code, and the bible. I dont believe in religion.

[GeeBee]

The Da Vinci code, and the bible. I dont believe in religion.

Most definitely backed.

[My Broken Fever]

Most definitely backed.
I never quite got the hatred against the Da Vince Code. It's not high literature, but it is an amusing piece of fiction that reads easily and feeds the hunger for conspiracies. People who believe a fraction of it are morons though.

[GeeBee]

I never quite got the hatred against the Da Vince Code. It's not high literature, but it is an amusing piece of fiction that reads easily and feeds the hunger for conspiracies. People who believe a fraction of it are morons though.

I think that's why people hate it. It's little more than a grocery store checkout-line book, but it got more huge and popular than really good pieces of literature.

[wrppdarndyrfngr]

Someone care to explain the Ayn Rand criticism to someone (me) who has never read her books but saw them in Borders and thought "Dear Lord, that is a big ass book?!" Thanks

[GeeBee]

Someone care to explain the Ayn Rand criticism to someone (me) who has never read her books but saw them in Borders and thought "Dear Lord, that is a big ass book?!" Thanks

She's worshipped by Glenn Beck and his followers. Isn't that enough?

[wrppdarndyrfngr]

She's worshipped by Glenn Beck and his followers. Isn't that enough?

well thats more than enough for me!

[My Broken Fever]

I think that's why people hate it. It's little more than a grocery store checkout-line book, but it got more huge and popular than really good pieces of literature. Well if I always had to read good literature without the occasional bullshit to ease it up I'd probably go insane too. Da Vinci Code just filled a niche, and it the subjects were cleverly constructed, blame the people for not picking up better books, not the book itself. :-d

[perceptrons]

The Red Pony

[Machu505]

The Left Behind series.

[My Broken Fever]

The Left Behind series.
I concur.

[GeeBee]

Well if I always had to read good literature without the occasional bullshit to ease it up I'd probably go insane too. Da Vinci Code just filled a niche, and it the subjects were cleverly constructed, blame the people for not picking up better books, not the book itself. :-d

fair point.

[Java Nick]

The Left Behind series.

Thank you. I can't even begin to summarize my frustrations with this series.

[Neo Cassady]

Fahrenheit 451... wait

This and 1984 get my vote. :thumbup:

[deFobbed14yrs]

the scarlet letter. ughhh

[MyNameIsRoss]

any and all self-help books.

[Smash Adams]

Lauren Conrad's book just out of principle

[Broclee]

the scarlet letter. ughhh
Ditto.

[saysmydoctor]

Someone care to explain the Ayn Rand criticism to someone (me) who has never read her books but saw them in Borders and thought "Dear Lord, that is a big ass book?!" Thanks
Google: Objectivism.

[deFobbed14yrs]

:buddies:Ditto.

[deFobbed14yrs]

Lauren Conrad's book just out of principle


:jawdrop:
she has a book! she can write?!

[Smash Adams]

:jawdrop:
she has a book! she can write?!
http://www.amazon.com/L-Candy-Lauren-Conrad/dp/0061767581
To be fair she may not have "written" it

[deFobbed14yrs]

http://www.amazon.com/L-Candy-Lauren-Conrad/dp/0061767581
To be fair she may not have "written" it


haha ten bucks she didn't.


oh her Q and A

fav book- the great gatsby

ugh i hate how my dad's company has her as a spokeswoman.

[Broclee]

Hey now, don't knock the Great Gatsby.

[vodyanoj]

Any book by Orson Scott Card.

That's pretty good. Although Ender's Game was not horrible, but perhaps I only enjoyed it because I was 16 at the time...

[saysmydoctor]

Hey now, don't knock the Great Gatsby.
:appl:

[Broclee]

:appl:
:bow:

But seriously, I do love that book. Everyone in my English 11 class hated it. I couldn't understand the hate.

[vodyanoj]

Can it be more than one? If so:
Ayn Rand
Glenn Beck
Michelle Malkin
Ann Coulter
Stephanie Meyer
Dick Cheney's future memoirs.
Ted Nugent's book(s?)

In that case, I can add a slew of ID/Creationist tracts: Stephen Meyer, Phillip Johnson, Michael Behe, "Dumbo" Dembski, John Sarfati, Henry Morris, Duane Gish, Denyse O'Leary et al et al.

OTOH, they are good for comic relief once in a while.

[vodyanoj]

Have you read or seen the film adaptation of "Let the Right One In"? Loved the film (hoping to pick up the book here soon). Excellent vampire fiction.

Excellent stuff. The film is, IMHO the best film of the year. The boook was quite good, too, but I am not into reading vampire fiction, so I enjoyed the film more. Is there an English translation of the book?

[vodyanoj]

Why has this not been mentioned yet? Mein Kampf.

Too obvious. But as long as we're at it, the complete collection of Stalin's writings...

[behappy123]

Lauren Conrad's book just out of principle

YES!

[vodyanoj]

hahahhaaha

i'm probably gonna get shit for this, but i'd burn beowulf. had to read it for school, and hated it. yuck.

Consider yourself shat upon. Love it! But ideally, you want to learn Old English and declaim it out loud. Benjamin Bagby (Sequentia) does that, and he is touring with it right now. Awesome!

[Josh Weinstein]

"Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger

You know why Salinger stopped writing books? Because he masturbates!

[vodyanoj]

Following this logic, we should burn all of C.S. Lewis' Narnia books along with The Hobbit, for their Christian theology

Also, I have read Ender's Game ad nauseum, plz point out the "mormon theology" in it

I hate CS Lewis with a passion. And Tolkien was a hack. A genius hack, and one that created the best-developed and most believable alternative universe (mostly via languages) but the plot was not that exciting, and the characters boring.

[vodyanoj]

Well, I don't know how there can be "complete and utter defeat" in the entirely subjective field of taste and opinion, but whatever gets you by. I honestly find science fiction literature to be utterly boring and its fanbase replete with sexually repressed losers...but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're not one of those...

Science fiction is the only subgenre of modern literature (prose) worth reading.

[Broclee]

I hate CS Lewis with a passion. And Tolkien was a hack. A genius hack, and one that created the best-developed and most believable alternative universe (mostly via languages) but the plot was not that exciting, and the characters boring.

THAT'S RIDICULOUSly true!!!

[vodyanoj]

I have yet to read that one. Is it the same book as The Possessed/The Devils? And it's true, right, that Russian doesn't use words like "the"? I forget what they're called, articles of something or other.

There are no articles in Slavic or Uralic languages.

[vodyanoj]

The Left Behind series.

YES.

[$eth]

Lord Of The Flies - William Golding

I don't hate classics, but Lord Of The Flies was probably my least favorite book of all time.

[vodyanoj]

THAT'S RIDICULOUSly true!!!

How so? The hobbits are tolerable but Aragorn, Legolas, GImli, et al are standard medieval cliches, ridiculously overblown in Aragorn's case at least. Like I said:Tolkien was a genius hack, but still a hack.

And, of course, the fact that he was a cryptofascistic theocrat shines clearly through most of his writings. Not that I don't love his books...

[Broclee]

Lord Of The Flies - William Golding

I don't hate classics, but Lord Of The Flies was probably my least favorite book of all time.
I have mixed feelings about that one.

[Broclee]

How so? The hobbits are tolerable but Aragorn, Legolas, GImli, et al are standard medieval cliches, ridiculously overblown in Aragorn's case at least. Like I said:Tolkien was a genius hack, but still a hack.

And, of course, the fact that he was a cryptofascistic theocrat shines clearly through most of his writings. Not that I don't love his books...
Hover over the spoiler, dude.

[vodyanoj]

Hover over the spoiler, dude.

Ouch. My bad. :-d

[Broclee]

Ouch. My bad. :-d
Hahaha, all is well.

[briannedixon]

Consider yourself shat upon. Love it! But ideally, you want to learn Old English and declaim it out loud. Benjamin Bagby (Sequentia) does that, and he is touring with it right now. Awesome!
ahhahahhaha

the only reason i really don't like it is because there are so many translations/interpretations that pretty much every book i tried to read it from said something different besides the biggest key story points. pissed me off! i like consistency!

[briannedixon]

Lord Of The Flies - William Golding

I don't hate classics, but Lord Of The Flies was probably my least favorite book of all time.
i read this when i was in 5th or 6th grade and loved it. weird. hahaha

[vodyanoj]

ahhahahhaha

the only reason i really don't like it is because there are so many translations/interpretations that pretty much every book i tried to read it from said something different besides the biggest key story points. pissed me off! i like consistency!

Everything should be read in the original language, if possible. This is the primary reason I have major blanks about Vietnamese, Tibetan, and many other literary traditions. You can't trust the fucking translators. Every book that I have read in original and later, in translation, was utterly destroyed by them.

[sdbrown]

STEPHANIE MEYER

Beat that, bitches.
Yes, please. Even though she spells it with an E (wtf?), this woman is the reason I go by my nickname

Tucker Max.

He is a stain on the underpants of humanity.
Yep. His writing isn't actually that bad but he is such a giant douchebag I say burn him anyway!

Props to those who brought up Ann Coulter and O'Reilly.

As far as books go, I had to read this god awful piece of shit called God's Snake in 10th grade. I hated that book so fucking much, even if it turned out to be a treasured piece of literature I'd burn it just to rid myself of the horrible memories.

[Java Nick]

Excellent stuff. The film is, IMHO the best film of the year. The boook was quite good, too, but I am not into reading vampire fiction, so I enjoyed the film more. Is there an English translation of the book?

Yes, there is. An English remake of the film is also being worked on, but I have my doubts as to how good it's going to be.

[Java Nick]

Lord Of The Flies - William Golding

I don't hate classics, but Lord Of The Flies was probably my least favorite book of all time.

I didn't enjoy reading this for a summer reading project during high school, but I've grown to appreciate it. Just curious - what didn't you like about the book?

[neo506]

They guy weaves mormon theology throughout the entire saga...so the entire saga. And if you want to read some canned crazy, read his articles in the Deseret News. Dude's wacked.
He lives here and used to come into my old job all the time. He's so full of himself and such an ass. Not to mention insane like you said. But he left big tips and I still like Enders Game :shrug:

[Mercy Medical]

Any book by Orson Scott Card.
WHAT?! Not a fan of Ender's Game I see?

But to answer the question, the entire Twilight series...then I would throw the author in there with it to ensure no one ever has to read/see that shit ever again. I'd also find it intriguing to burn all religious texts very early on in the history of the world just to see what the world would turn out to be without religion.

[Jaimehere]

I'd burn all the twilight books and the chick author that created thy book that came from the depths of a 14 yr old's closet!

[My Broken Fever]

WHAT?! Not a fan of Ender's Game I see?

But to answer the question, the entire Twilight series...then I would throw the author in there with it to ensure no one ever has to read/see that shit ever again. I'd also find it intriguing to burn all religious texts very early on in the history of the world just to see what the world would turn out to be without religion.
We'd just have found something else to wage wars over probably. :-d

[Machu505]

In before The Audacity of Hope, Dreams from My Father, and/or Barack Obama.

[Brand-new-123]

The Audacity of Hope, Dreams from My Father, and/or Barack Obama.

Edit: Dang it!

[Machu505]

Libertarianism defeated once again!

[LoveHateHolly]

Alan Colmes

[Animalhill]

Alan Colmes
Please tell me that your avatar is a joke.

[kaycey]

i think his name is ani tomar.

[kaycey]

Alan Colmes
stupid cunt.

[paper halo]

Alan Colmes

Your avatar suggests to me that you are a fucking moron.

Your avatar plus this and previous posts suggests that you are just trolling. Albeit badly.

[LoveHateHolly]

Your avatar suggests to me that you are a fucking moron.

Your avatar plus this and previous posts suggests that you are just trolling. Albeit badly.
I am afraid not

[paper halo]

I am afraid not

Oh, so a genuine moron then. How exciting.

[LoveHateHolly]

Oh, so a genuine moron then. How exciting.
that's so typical from someone living in the UK

[paper halo]

that's so typical from someone living in the UK

It is? Are we known for our dislike of white supremacists?

[The Personist]

It is? Are we known for our dislike of white supremacists?
I wish I were English.

/random

[paper halo]

I wish I were English.

/random

You could legitimately adopt an accent which reeks of superiority.

[The Personist]

You could legitimately adopt an accent which reeks of superiority.

I was in a Noel Coward play last year. Closest I have ever come.

[paper halo]

I was in a Noel Coward play last year. Closest I have ever come.

Aha, I can imagine you suiting a role in one of his plays.

[The Personist]

Aha, I can imagine you suiting a role in one of his plays.

I was the pretentious author David Bliss in Hay Fever. practically type cast...kinda.

[Broclee]

that's so typical from someone living in the UK
Since I'm from North Carolina, I'll chime in:

Oh, so a genuine moron then. How exciting.

[Machu505]

A white supremest? On my AP.net?

This means war.

[GeeBee]

I am afraid not
Troll or moron...there's really little difference.
Oh, so a genuine moron then. How exciting.

that's so typical from someone living in the UK
Or anywhere else that halfway educated people live. Educated people tend to find racism stupid.
It is? Are we known for our dislike of white supremacists?

Since I'm from North Carolina, I'll chime in:

Oh, so a genuine moron then. How exciting.

I'll chime in from my corner of the U.S. of A. as well.

[Machu505]

It's a great day when Brits, Utahns, North Carolinians, and West Virginians can all unite against racism.

[The Personist]

It's a great day when Brits, Utahns, North Carolinians, and West Virginians can all unite against racism.

And Pennsylvanians!

[Machu505]

And Pennsylvanians!
No no Pennsylvania hates non-whites.

[$eth]

I didn't enjoy reading this for a summer reading project during high school, but I've grown to appreciate it. Just curious - what didn't you like about the book?

The whole plotline. I really thought the idea of showcasing the evil in humanity with 8 year old boys on an island was kind of... lame.

[vodyanoj]

It's a great day when Brits, Utahns, North Carolinians, and West Virginians can all unite against racism.

You can include an atheist Russian with Finnish roots as well.

[Machu505]

You can include an atheist Russian with Finnish roots as well.
What I don't get is why this bitch is ragging on Brits. Aren't they part of the Aryan race that neo-Nazis so admire?

[vodyanoj]

What I don't get is why this bitch is ragging on Brits. Aren't they part of the Aryan race that neo-Nazis so admire?

Stupidity would be the obvious answer. But, of course, it is fashionable in the neo-Nazi circles to hate on Brits since they consider UK to be a lost cause, full of Marxists, Greens and Muslims. Of course, UK also has BNP and plenty of white-power idiots as well.

[saysmydoctor]

Has anyone said Ayn Rand?

[Machu505]

Woo, AP.net's lone neo-Nazi has a new avatar.

Nooses ftw.

[Broclee]

Woo, AP.net's lone neo-Nazi has a new avatar.

Nooses ftw.
Holy fuckin lol.

[bung]

Anybody read Life of Pi?

Not necessarily a bad book, but the last chapter sort of ruins it and left me a little annoyed.

[bung]

Has anyone said Ayn Rand?

I'm not sure, but the creation of this thread has probably led about five more people to go check out her books at the library.

[fadedmemories]

Twilight series obviously. I never thought vampires are such big losers before I read that shit.

[paper halo]

Stupidity would be the obvious answer. But, of course, it is fashionable in the neo-Nazi circles to hate on Brits since they consider UK to be a lost cause, full of Marxists, Greens and Muslims. Of course, UK also has BNP and plenty of white-power idiots as well.

I actually saw two skinheads in the city centre recently. It depressed me.

A brief google search for 'redwatch' will show that the UK still has plenty of idiot neo-nazis.

Woo, AP.net's lone neo-Nazi has a new avatar.

Nooses ftw.

There's edgy, and then there's lovehateholly.

[paper halo]

Twilight series obviously. I never thought vampires are such big losers before I read that shit.

They sparkle in the sunlight.

Blade would ruin their shit.

[Animalhill]

They sparkle in the sunlight.

Blade would ruin their shit.
Understatement. It would be like Steven Seagal fighting David Spade. :-d
And I missed all this fun with a White Supremacist? *sad jew* :-(

[perceptrons]

Anybody read Life of Pi?

Not necessarily a bad book, but the last chapter sort of ruins it and left me a little annoyed.
I refused to read it after I learned that it had nothing to do with the number.

[bung]

I refused to read it after I learned that it had nothing to do with the number.

I had no idea what it was about when I read it. But it's still kind of a good adventure story, even if it's purpose is basically to get you to believe in God.

[vodyanoj]

I actually saw two skinheads in the city centre recently. It depressed me.

A brief google search for 'redwatch' will show that the UK still has plenty of idiot neo-nazis..

I keep track of redwatch. I would love to be profiled on there; would mean I am doing something right.

[behappy123]

anything paris hilton has out

[Java Nick]

anything paris hilton has out

I used to work with a girl who had two of Paris' books and would read them religiously while on her breaks. Two. Fucking. Books. Absolute garbage.

[salmarnirecho]

i do not endorse book burning of any sort.

[x togepi x]

Following this logic, we should burn all of C.S. Lewis' Narnia books along with The Hobbit, for their Christian theology

Also, I have read Ender's Game ad nauseum, plz point out the "mormon theology" in it

No...CS Lewis is a piece of shit because of his homophobia, sexism and racism.


Well, I don't know how there can be "complete and utter defeat" in the entirely subjective field of taste and opinion, but whatever gets you by. I honestly find science fiction literature to be utterly boring and its fanbase replete with sexually repressed losers...but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're not one of those...

how can you not like harlan ellison or philip k. dick?

Someone care to explain the Ayn Rand criticism to someone (me) who has never read her books but saw them in Borders and thought "Dear Lord, that is a big ass book?!" Thanks

one of her books has someone getting raped and then deciding they liked it.
she is bad at writing.
she is about as pro-capitalist as you can get. no reforms, just free market.
she has such a hard on for personal responsibility that the message of her books is often that if you can't overcome terrible obstacles, then it's your fault for being weak.
she justifies white/male/straight privilege.
she justifies the might is right philosophy.

[TJ Wells]

Kinda scares me anyone in this forum's advocating burning books, regardless of who they're by.

[vodyanoj]

No...CS Lewis is a piece of shit because of his homophobia, sexism and racism.

how can you not like harlan ellison or philip k. dick?
.

I can give you many reasons to dislike the former (and I love most of his writing!), and fewer but more potent ones for the latter (a flawed genius, indeed, and one can drive several VALIS's at a time through the flaws), and can add several dozen names to the list as well. 'S OK: nobody is perfect.

Oh, and your critique of Ayn Rand is spot-on, but, of course, the most important part is that she is a lousy stylist and has no clue about evocative use of language, not to mention interesting.

[vodyanoj]

Kinda scares me anyone in this forum's advocating burning books, regardless of who they're by.

A hypothetical is not an endorsement, especially when presented in a facetious way.

[wrppdarndyrfngr]

No...CS Lewis is a piece of shit because of his homophobia, sexism and racism.




how can you not like harlan ellison or philip k. dick?



one of her books has someone getting raped and then deciding they liked it.
she is bad at writing.
she is about as pro-capitalist as you can get. no reforms, just free market.
she has such a hard on for personal responsibility that the message of her books is often that if you can't overcome terrible obstacles, then it's your fault for being weak.
she justifies white/male/straight privilege.
she justifies the might is right philosophy.

thanks for the breakdown!

[open mind]

How so? The hobbits are tolerable but Aragorn, Legolas, GImli, et al are standard medieval cliches, ridiculously overblown in Aragorn's case at least. Like I said:Tolkien was a genius hack, but still a hack.

And, of course, the fact that he was a cryptofascistic theocrat shines clearly through most of his writings. Not that I don't love his books...

after tolkien they were cliches, before him not so much.

[open mind]

hahaha I second this.
And as for an answer to the thread topic:
I was going to say Ayn Rand before I saw that she's already been tied to a post and torched in here.
SO: I'm going to go ahead and say Chuck Palahniuk.

i don't understand the hate for palahniuk.....but snuff was shit.

[open mind]

Your avatar suggests to me that you are a fucking moron.

Your avatar plus this and previous posts suggests that you are just trolling. Albeit badly.

opting not to pick or create an avatar indicates a lack of intelligence?

[Animalhill]

i don't understand the hate for palahniuk.....but snuff was shit.
He's not a terrible writer, but I think he is incredibly overrated.

[vodyanoj]

after tolkien they were cliches, before him not so much.

No, since all are present throughout folk-tale and earlier fantasies of Morris, Dunsany, et al.

[vodyanoj]

He's not a terrible writer, but I think he is incredibly overrated.

I refuse to read him, out of principle.

[Animalhill]

I refuse to read him, out of principle.
Some of his early works weren't horrible, but what really pisses me off is people who truly like to read and ONLY read Chuck.

[Fedaykin]

I refuse to read him, out of principle.

that is ignorant

[PunkRocks]

I've skipped reading the vast majority of this thread because many of the responses I've read are making me sick to my stomach, so forgive me if I've missed out the explanation on this...

But why are we discussing burning books? Are we that narrow-minded that we still can't understand and accept the concept of freedom of artistic expression? Are we begging for a Farenheit-451 society (or should we burn that book too cause it speaks out against what you're suggesting we do)?

I mean, I get that its just a discussion... but I just don't understand why we'd want to argue about burning books whose existance are pure examples of why we have freedom of speech. I've never undersood peoples desire to destroy works of art and works of education, despite whether or not they agree with the message of it.

[GeeBee]

I've skipped reading the vast majority of this thread because many of the responses I've read are making me sick to my stomach, so forgive me if I've missed out the explanation on this...

But why are we discussing burning books? Are we that narrow-minded that we still can't understand and accept the concept of freedom of artistic expression? Are we begging for a Farenheit-451 society (or should we burn that book too cause it speaks out against what you're suggesting we do)?

I mean, I get that its just a discussion... but I just don't understand why we'd want to argue about burning books whose existance are pure examples of why we have freedom of speech. I've never undersood peoples desire to destroy works of art and works of education, despite whether or not they agree with the message of it.

Whoa there turbo. It's a tongue in cheek discussion about books and authors we don't care for.

Being offended is a choice. Choose not to be offended, and you'll feel much better.

[Machu505]

First of all, none of us are really discussing book burning. We're merely letting our hatred of certain authors and books be known. We've also helped out people avoid certain authors as well.

It's like the anti book club.

[perceptrons]

All these people getting offended is rather funny.

[PunkRocks]

Whoa there turbo. It's a tongue in cheek discussion about books and authors we don't care for.

Being offended is a choice. Choose not to be offended, and you'll feel much better.

Ok good. Like I started out saying, I didn't read this whole thread for both the sake of time and because I have seen some responses on here that are, well, fueled by hatred and not what I would consider "discussion." But, I'll trust what you say and thank you for clearing it up for me.

[GeeBee]

All these people getting offended is rather funny.

I'd burn all of those getting offended.

To quote the warden in Shawshank Redemption:

"And that library...gone...sealed off, brick by brick. We'll have us a book barbecue in the yard. The flames will be seen for miles...we'll dance around it like wild injuns"

[GeeBee]

Ok good. Like I started out saying, I didn't read this whole thread for both the sake of time and because I have seen some responses on here that are, well, fueled by hatred and not what I would consider "discussion." But, I'll trust what you say and thank you for clearing it up for me.

Define "fueled by hatred"...

Some of my comments are "fueled by hatred" of a certain author and their books...because I dislike them. I still don't get what the problem is.

[Fedaykin]

Define "fueled by hatred"...

Some of my comments are "fueled by hatred" of a certain author and their books...because I dislike them. I still don't get what the problem is.

Your hatred is preventing you from seeing what it is, lol

[bung]

First of all, none of us are really discussing book burning. We're merely letting our hatred of certain authors and books be known. We've also helped out people avoid certain authors as well.

It's like the anti book club.

Except that if someone just decided they were going to ignore every book and author mentioned in this thread they would be an idiot.

[PunkRocks]

Define "fueled by hatred"...

Some of my comments are "fueled by hatred" of a certain author and their books...because I dislike them. I still don't get what the problem is.

I would define a statement "fueled by hated" as one that is selfish, mis- or ill-informed, purposefully misrepressented, or meant to cause harm without having a positive side to it. Threatening and insulting statements against authors and books for being politically or religiously different that your own views would fall into this category, as well.

[PunkRocks]

I'd burn all of those getting offended.

To quote the warden in Shawshank Redemption:

"And that library...gone...sealed off, brick by brick. We'll have us a book barbecue in the yard. The flames will be seen for miles...we'll dance around it like wild injuns"

Was the warden not a cruel and wicked person?



And on a side note, I'm not offended at all. I'm just concerned.

[GeeBee]

I would define a statement "fueled by hated" as one that is selfish, mis- or ill-informed, purposefully misrepressented, or meant to cause harm without having a positive side to it. Threatening and insulting statements against authors and books for being politically or religiously different that your own views would fall into this category, as well.

Was the warden not a cruel and wicked person?



And on a side note, I'm not offended at all. I'm just concerned.

Congrats...you've just taken a fun, harmless thread about differing literary tastes and turned it into the VERY thing you feared it had become.

Like I said...the "concern" was your choice. Nothing personal, but there's nothing worse than a moron who enters a thread and adds NOTHING to the topic at hand, and only whines about the topic or the content. No one has a gun to your head. Keep your concern to yourself and ignore the thread if it bugs you that much.

Also, I'd burn the bible just to watch people like you cringe.

[PunkRocks]

Congrats...you've just taken a fun, harmless thread about differing literary tastes and turned it into the VERY thing you feared it had become.

Like I said...the "concern" was your choice. Nothing personal, but there's nothing worse than a moron who enters a thread and adds NOTHING to the topic at hand, and only whines about the topic or the content. No one has a gun to your head. Keep your concern to yourself and ignore the thread if it bugs you that much.

I think you're assuming way too much about my intentions. My original interest in this thread was purely based on seeing if this really was a discussion of "what books should be burned" or if it was, as you say, a harmless discussion on literary preferances. Not wanting to invest a lot of time in this, at first, I read a few pages of the thread (but not all of them) and based on some of the statements and responses that I saw, felt compelled to inquire more about the root meaning of this discussion.

Instead, I have been attacked and labeled a "moron" because I believe every book has its right to exist and every author has the right to create what they want. Which makes me realize that I am not actually hurting this tread at all, I am contributing to the discussion by addressing the question posed in the topic, and delivering my answer as "none."

Also, I'd burn the bible just to watch people like you cringe.

I'm not a Christian, but it would still make me cringe knowing that narrow-minded people like you aim to destroy artistic illustrations of human thought. On that note, I'd also cringe if you burned a Clifford The Big Red Dog book, to put things into perspective for you.

[GeeBee]

I think you're assuming way too much about my intentions. My original interest in this thread was purely based on seeing if this really was a discussion of "what books should be burned" or if it was, as you say, a harmless discussion on literary preferances. Not wanting to invest a lot of time in this, at first, I read a few pages of the thread (but not all of them) and based on some of the statements and responses that I saw, felt compelled to inquire more about the root meaning of this discussion.

Instead, I have been attacked and labeled a "moron" because I believe every book has its right to exist and every author has the right to create what they want. Which makes me realize that I am not actually hurting this tread at all, I am contributing to the discussion by addressing the question posed in the topic, and delivering my answer as "none."



I'm not a Christian, but it would still make me cringe knowing that narrow-minded people like you aim to destroy artistic illustrations of human thought. On that note, I'd also cringe if you burned a Clifford The Big Red Dog book, to put things into perspective for you.

Had you done so initially instead of labeling all in this thread as some kind of group of book-burning nazis, you might have been received better.

Which is retarded. Burning a book is burning paper. The author and the idea remain in force. Which is why it's stupid to burn books. Which is why it was a joke. Which is why you ruined it.

[Animalhill]

Whoa there turbo. It's a tongue in cheek discussion about books and authors we don't care for.

Being offended is a choice. Choose not to be offended, and you'll feel much better.
:-d

[Animalhill]

I think you're assuming way too much about my intentions. My original interest in this thread was purely based on seeing if this really was a discussion of "what books should be burned" or if it was, as you say, a harmless discussion on literary preferances. Not wanting to invest a lot of time in this, at first, I read a few pages of the thread (but not all of them) and based on some of the statements and responses that I saw, felt compelled to inquire more about the root meaning of this discussion.

Instead, I have been attacked and labeled a "moron" because I believe every book has its right to exist and every author has the right to create what they want. Which makes me realize that I am not actually hurting this tread at all, I am contributing to the discussion by addressing the question posed in the topic, and delivering my answer as "none."



I'm not a Christian, but it would still make me cringe knowing that narrow-minded people like you aim to destroy artistic illustrations of human thought. On that note, I'd also cringe if you burned a Clifford The Big Red Dog book, to put things into perspective for you.
Do you have a cringing problem?

[Fedaykin]

Burning a book is burning paper. The author and the idea remain in force.

I disagree; a dystopian novel like Farenheit 451 demonstrates that if you destroy the evidence of the author & his ideas (if the 1,000 year reich had lasted) then disseminate your own propaganda those ideas don't remain in force for very long

[GeeBee]

I disagree; a dystopian novel like Farenheit 451 demonstrates that if you destroy the evidence of the author & his ideas (if the 1,000 year reich had lasted) then disseminate your own propaganda those ideas don't remain in force for very long

The assertion that an idea won't last if not on paper is absurd.

[PunkRocks]

Had you done so initially instead of labeling all in this thread as some kind of group of book-burning nazis, you might have been received better.

Which is retarded. Burning a book is burning paper. The author and the idea remain in force. Which is why it's stupid to burn books. Which is why it was a joke. Which is why you ruined it.

Trust me, I know that you're not talking about physically getting together and wanting to burn books.

What I'm talking about is that the analogy of burning books that is being used here is still dangerous because its promoting narrow-mindedness through ignorant and hatred-fueled views. You're discouraging others from reading authors and books that you personally disagree with for some (probably selfish) reason.

[Animalhill]

Your hatred is preventing you from seeing what it is, lol
You need to just be quiet and go play in the corner.
I would define a statement "fueled by hated" as one that is selfish, mis- or ill-informed, purposefully misrepressented, or meant to cause harm without having a positive side to it. Threatening and insulting statements against authors and books for being politically or religiously different that your own views would fall into this category, as well.
Like this whole post!?
I disagree; a dystopian novel like Farenheit 451 demonstrates that if you destroy the evidence of the author & his ideas (if the 1,000 year reich had lasted) then disseminate your own propaganda those ideas don't remain in force for very long
So you live your life in fear of the realization of Farenheit 451...

[PunkRocks]

Do you have a cringing problem?

Only at the sight of blood X-)

[Animalhill]

Only at the sight of blood X-)
I <3 blood.

[PunkRocks]

I <3 blood.

Vampire !! :-0

[Fedaykin]

The assertion that an idea won't last if not on paper is absurd.

Your MO seems to be this:
I make a reference to some sort of fact; it could be an article, a work of literature etc.
I assume you will somehow discuss the relevant information I have brought to the table, its merits or lack thereof

But, all I see you doing is dismissing all the evidence out of hand, on the basis of its absurdity.

Rather than make baseless claims like you are doing, I'm showing how others have had similar ideas as me (in this case Ray Bradbury).
To simply write off the evidence I provide without explanation (this is not the first time I've caught you doing this) makes you not ignorant, but immature, plain and simple.

Let's pick this back up when you do a little growing up. It's like arguing with a toddler: what about x? no what about y? no what about z? no

[PunkRocks]

Like this whole post!?

Which post are you talking about? If you mean the one that you quoted, are you saying that you disagree with my definition of "fueled by hatred"?

[PunkRocks]

Your MO seems to be this:
I make a reference to some sort of fact; it could be an article, a work of literature etc.
I assume you will somehow discuss the relevant information I have brought to the table, its merits or lack thereof

But, all I see you doing is dismissing all the evidence out of hand, on the basis of its absurdity.

Rather than make baseless claims like you are doing, I'm showing how others have had similar ideas as me (in this case Ray Bradbury).
To simply write off the evidence I provide without explanation (this is not the first time I've caught you doing this) makes you not ignorant, but immature, plain and simple.

Let's pick this back up when you do a little growing up. It's like arguing with a toddler: what about x? no what about y? no what about z? no

I like you.

[Fedaykin]

So you live your life in fear of the realization of Farenheit 451...

yikes, you ppl frustrate me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! when did i say that? the book illustrates (like any dystopian novel, 1984 for instance) that if you destroy the placeholder of information (the written word) and destroy the author and anyone who knows what he knows, you can come close to destroying his idea

[perceptrons]

I'm a tad baffled why this conversation is even taking place.

[GeeBee]

Trust me, I know that you're not talking about physically getting together and wanting to burn books.

What I'm talking about is that the analogy of burning books that is being used here is still dangerous because its promoting narrow-mindedness through ignorant and hatred-fueled views. You're discouraging others from reading authors and books that you personally disagree with for some (probably selfish) reason.
I never discouraged anyone from reading anything. This thread was to discuss why we dislike certain literary works and why. And several posts HAVE disagreed and posited the merits of said works. Jesus, man, can people not get together and discuss why they like and dislike a work of art? Which is what this entire site is BASED ON!?!?
Your MO seems to be this:
I make a reference to some sort of fact; it could be an article, a work of literature etc.
I assume you will somehow discuss the relevant information I have brought to the table, its merits or lack thereof

But, all I see you doing is dismissing all the evidence out of hand, on the basis of its absurdity.

Rather than make baseless claims like you are doing, I'm showing how others have had similar ideas as me (in this case Ray Bradbury).
To simply write off the evidence I provide without explanation (this is not the first time I've caught you doing this) makes you not ignorant, but immature, plain and simple.

Let's pick this back up when you do a little growing up. It's like arguing with a toddler: what about x? no what about y? no what about z? no
Since you're clearly not schooled in dialectics...YOU MADE A CLAIM...YOU BACK IT UP! Saying "well x is true because Ray Bradbury wrote it" doesn't really cut it, now does it?

You reverted to quoting Ray Bradbury to prove some point about ideas not existing if not on paper. Historically, such a position is not tenable. End of story.

And yes, if something is absurd, I usually dismiss it. If you can make an argument for why that's a bad idea, have at it.

[Animalhill]

Which post are you talking about? If you mean the one that you quoted, are you saying that you disagree with my definition of "fueled by hatred"?
Everyone is taking this thread far, far, far too seriously. It was meant in a facetious manner, and merely provided an outlet to bash terrible writers. Like Ayn Rand and Chuck Palahniuk.

[Animalhill]

yikes, you ppl frustrate me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! when did i say that? the book illustrates (like any dystopian novel, 1984 for instance) that if you destroy the placeholder of information (the written word) and destroy the author and anyone who knows what he knows, you can come close to destroying his idea
How the fuck is this even relevent?
And spare me the summary, I've read the book.

[GeeBee]

yikes, you ppl frustrate me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! when did i say that? the book illustrates (like any dystopian novel, 1984 for instance) that if you destroy the placeholder of information (the written word) and destroy the author and anyone who knows what he knows, you can come close to destroying his idea

Thanks for the breakdown of dystopian novels, but their narratives prove nothing, just like Seinfeld isn't an indicator of real life.

[GeeBee]

I'm a tad baffled why this conversation is even taking place.

:-d Jump in at any time!

[perceptrons]

:-d Jump in at any time!
I am at a slight loss as to what I could add to this discussion, the whole thing just seems incredibly pointless.

[PunkRocks]

I never discouraged anyone from reading anything. This thread was to discuss why we dislike certain literary works and why. And several posts HAVE disagreed and posited the merits of said works. Jesus, man, can people not get together and discuss why they like and dislike a work of art? Which is what this entire site is BASED ON!?!?

First off, I do apologize. It was someone else who made the statement about discouraging people from reading certain authors, not you.

And you know what, I've admitted that I made an assumption when I entered this thread, and despite seeing some proof that my assumption was true, you have shown me that overall, this is a harmless discussion on literary preferances... just conducted in an immature fashion. But I'm fine with that, and I apologize for interrupting that.

That being said, I still think your actions worked quickly to pour gas on the fire with immaturity and dickery instead of doing the right thing and politely and thoroughly discussing my concerns with me. This could have been cleared up in 2-3 posts.

[PunkRocks]

Everyone is taking this thread far, far, far too seriously. It was meant in a facetious manner, and merely provided an outlet to bash terrible writers. Like Ayn Rand and Chuck Palahniuk.

I got that now, thank you. Just took a little bit for someone to say it without clouding it up with how big of a cunt they were acting.

[GeeBee]

First off, I do apologize. It was someone else who made the statement about discouraging people from reading certain authors, not you.

And you know what, I've admitted that I made an assumption when I entered this thread, and despite seeing some proof that my assumption was true, you have shown me that overall, this is a harmless discussion on literary preferances... just conducted in an immature fashion. But I'm fine with that, and I apologize for interrupting that.

That being said, I still think your actions worked quickly to pour gas on the fire with immaturity and dickery instead of doing the right thing and politely and thoroughly discussing my concerns with me. This could have been cleared up in 2-3 posts.

Fair enough.
Also, this is a tongue-in-cheek thread on AP.net...you shouldn't have expected maturity and absence of dickery in the first place.

[GeeBee]

I got that now, thank you. Just took a little bit for someone to say it without clouding it up with how big of a cunt they were acting.

You mean the dude getting butt-hurt because people hate books by Anne Coulter? Yeah, he WAS being an ass.

If the bolded WASN'T self-referential, that just seems like "immature dickery" with a lack of "polite" to me.

[Fedaykin]

I never discouraged anyone from reading anything. This thread was to discuss why we dislike certain literary works and why. And several posts HAVE disagreed and posited the merits of said works. Jesus, man, can people not get together and discuss why they like and dislike a work of art? Which is what this entire site is BASED ON!?!?

I'd ask you the same question
Oh wait, I already did

Since you're clearly not schooled in dialectics...YOU MADE A CLAIM...YOU BACK IT UP! Saying "well x is true because Ray Bradbury wrote it" doesn't really cut it, now does it?

How did you arrive at that conclusion?

You reverted to quoting Ray Bradbury to prove some point about ideas not existing if not on paper. Historically, such a position is not tenable. End of story.

I don't believe I quoted Bradbury
Nor did I say the ideas dont exist if not on paper
Frankly, ideas don't "exist" on paper or otherwise

And yes, if something is absurd, I usually dismiss it. If you can make an argument for why that's a bad idea, have at it.

I think i already have
It's a bad idea to argue with you as you're unwilling to discuss the issue at hand

and btw, Seinfeld is very much about real life

[GeeBee]

I'd ask you the same question
Oh wait, I already did



How did you arrive at that conclusion?



I don't believe I quoted Bradbury
Nor did I say the ideas dont exist if not on paper
Frankly, ideas don't "exist" on paper or otherwise



I think i already have
It's a bad idea to argue with you as you're unwilling to discuss the issue at hand

and btw, Seinfeld is very much about real life

a) you never asked me any such question.

b) because you clearly didn't realize that you continue to use fallacies in your logic. Appeals to authority (authors), and conveniently forgetting that the onus falls on the person making the claim to back it up

c) You quoted some book to make the claim that ideas could be erradicated, which, as Animalhill pointed out, was completely irrelevant to the conversation and unprovable in any sense.

d) Ideas do exist. I just had one. It's called subjectivity. Look it up.

e) it IS a bad idea to argue with me. You keep losing.

f) you.

[Fedaykin]

a) you never asked me any such question.

b) because you clearly didn't realize that you continue to use fallacies in your logic. Appeals to authority (authors), and conveniently forgetting that the onus falls on the person making the claim to back it up

c) You quoted some book to make the claim that ideas could be erradicated, which, as Animalhill pointed out, was completely irrelevant to the conversation and unprovable in any sense.

d) Ideas do exist. I just had one. It's called subjectivity. Look it up.

e) it IS a bad idea to argue with me. You keep losing.

f) you.

a) i did; i'm not your babysitter, you're a big boy you can find it
b)you also are using fallacies; we'll get to that in a second
c)you need to read the definition for "quoted" because i did no such thing
d)"the onus falls on the person making the claim to back it up" - ok, prove something that none of my master's level philosophy teachers (or for that matter no philosopher in the history of human civilization) have been able to do: that ideas, people hell that even existence exists. and btw cogito ergo sum isnt going to cut it
e) it aint over till the fat lady sings bitch
f) comes before g

[Fedaykin]

still waiting on you to walk the talk of "the onus falls on the person making the claim to back it up" and prove that ideas, or me or my desk or your penis exist

because otherwise i don't see how you've won shit

[GeeBee]

a) i did; i'm not your babysitter, you're a big boy you can find it
b)you also are using fallacies; we'll get to that in a second
c)you need to read the definition for "quoted" because i did no such thing
d)"the onus falls on the person making the claim to back it up" - ok, prove something that none of my master's level philosophy teachers (or for that matter no philosopher in the history of human civilization) have been able to do: that ideas, people hell that even existence exists. and btw cogito ergo sum isnt going to cut it
e) it aint over till the fat lady sings bitch
f) comes before g

I don't even know what point you're trying to make. What was your original argument again? Or are you just trolling for the thrill of arguing over the internet?

still waiting on you to walk the talk of "the onus falls on the person making the claim to back it up" and prove that ideas, or me or my desk or your penis exist

because otherwise i don't see how you've won shit

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/skepticism/

Ever heard of the term "burden of proof"? Ever wonder why it's not up to the defense to prove a person DIDN'T commit a crime?

Also, if you're in this to feel cool about winning an argument on the internet, pat yourself on the back. I don't care that much.

[Poe-tryGirl]

I would love to burn the book Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk. Not the author, just that awful gross book.

[Broclee]

I would love to burn the book Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk. Not the author, just that awful gross book.
I still send people "Guts" from time to time for shits and giggles.

[Poe-tryGirl]

I still send people "Guts" from time to time for shits and giggles.
That's murder, dude.

[Broclee]

That's murder, dude.
Au contraire, it's comedy.

[Poe-tryGirl]

Au contraire, it's comedy.
A really sick comedy.

[MattRM]

I'd burn Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen, because he can't write a single page without using the word "archetype" or "archetypal" and it makes my head hurt really bad. Not to mention, he just seems like a prick.

[vodyanoj]

that is ignorant

Why? Life is too short to read each and every book, so I have to be selective. And I saw the Fight Club, and was not entirely disappointed but not overwhelmed either.

[vodyanoj]

I've skipped reading the vast majority of this thread because many of the responses I've read are making me sick to my stomach, so forgive me if I've missed out the explanation on this...

But why are we discussing burning books? Are we that narrow-minded that we still can't understand and accept the concept of freedom of artistic expression? Are we begging for a Farenheit-451 society (or should we burn that book too cause it speaks out against what you're suggesting we do)?

I mean, I get that its just a discussion... but I just don't understand why we'd want to argue about burning books whose existance are pure examples of why we have freedom of speech. I've never undersood peoples desire to destroy works of art and works of education, despite whether or not they agree with the message of it.

A sense of humour as well as a well-developed sensibility for the absurd are prerequisites for being able to make a meaningful comment on this thread.

[vodyanoj]

Congrats...you've just taken a fun, harmless thread about differing literary tastes and turned it into the VERY thing you feared it had become.

Like I said...the "concern" was your choice. Nothing personal, but there's nothing worse than a moron who enters a thread and adds NOTHING to the topic at hand, and only whines about the topic or the content. No one has a gun to your head. Keep your concern to yourself and ignore the thread if it bugs you that much.

Also, I'd burn the bible just to watch people like you cringe.

I once used a Bible for puppy-box liner. Thin paper, absorbent, and useful. Was too poor to afford the real stuff, and out of all the paper sources in my house, that one was the most disposable.

[vodyanoj]

The assertion that an idea won't last if not on paper is absurd.

You are probably correct in this day and age, but the past shows that many ideas disappeared completely (and Christianity was responsible in quite a few of those cases) and we only learn about them from secondary sources.

Of course, powerful ideas like human rights, evolution by natural selection or general relativity can only be stamped out for a while until someone else rediscovers them. But personal interpretations and histories and philosophies are always at risk.

[vodyanoj]

Trust me, I know that you're not talking about physically getting together and wanting to burn books.

What I'm talking about is that the analogy of burning books that is being used here is still dangerous because its promoting narrow-mindedness through ignorant and hatred-fueled views. You're discouraging others from reading authors and books that you personally disagree with for some (probably selfish) reason.

Why shouldn't I? I would NOT recommend Ayn Rand or Hitler to anyone who was not studying the history of capitalism or fascism respectively. There are much better texts to spend one's time on. What we are doing is a more brutal and direct form of literary criticism, is all.

[vodyanoj]

d)"the onus falls on the person making the claim to back it up" - ok, prove something that none of my master's level philosophy teachers (or for that matter no philosopher in the history of human civilization) have been able to do: that ideas, people hell that even existence exists. and btw cogito ergo sum isnt going to cut it


Popper's Third World.

Not that I agree with him there, but it is definitely an interesting idea.

And, of course, ideas are merely thoughts which are merely packets of information encoded on a substrate which certainly has a physical existence.

One of the devil's chaplains, I am...

[bung]

Why shouldn't I? I would NOT recommend Ayn Rand or Hitler to anyone who was not studying the history of capitalism or fascism respectively. There are much better texts to spend one's time on. What we are doing is a more brutal and direct form of literary criticism, is all.

The literary quality of a text is not the only reason to recommend a book, though. Some texts should be read simply because they have been wildly influential or, for instance, because other texts make many references to them (the Bible comes to mind).

I strongly disagree with communism, but that wouldn't stop me from recommending the Communist Manifesto, or even go so far as to discourage someone from reading it.

[PunkRocks]

A sense of humour as well as a well-developed sensibility for the absurd are prerequisites for being able to make a meaningful comment on this thread.

Noted. Thanks.