I'm seriously impressed with the number of questions and responses
that are already on the blog, and with the thought you have put into
them. Thank you!! Here is the link to our next reading, "The Neuroscience of Your Brain on Fiction".
Also, I've provided all the links to this unit of readings on the side
bar to the right, just in case you're ambitious and want to read ahead
:)
Just as a side note, as I was driving home today, I
caught a radio broadcast on NPR with storyteller Bill Harley. He
provides some interesting insights on how stories affect the way we
think and why we need stories to help us make sense of the world around
us. It really seems to go hand-in-hand with the article we're reading
for next week. If you get a chance, visit the website listen to some of
it. Here is the link: Radiowest Bill Harley interview.
A Doctor states in Annie Murphy Paul's article “Your Brain on Fiction” that, Those that read fiction tend to be more understanding and empathetic towards other people. I'm personally not a fiction reader, but I know quite a few passionate fiction readers. I don't find this statement to be true. I almost see the complete opposite by witnessing exclusive fiction readers to be a bit withdrawn. How do others feel about this statement?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I feel that fiction readers usually keep to themselves more and they don't socialize as much. I don't think fiction reading has much to do with empathy, I think empathy comes from life experiences and your personality.
DeleteI think that it just depends on the person and their personality. There can be people who do read fiction and, maybe, they do tend to be more understanding and empathetic towards other people. But most of the fiction readers I know usually are more withdrawn and less social. So I would have to agree with you.
DeleteI agree, most of the extremely avid readers I know were fairly introverted and kept to themselves. but im sure when the situations might happen those people would be just as if not more empathetic as anyone else.
DeleteI do not think that all readers are necessarily introverted. I know plenty of loud and social people who love and are good at reading. I also think that empathy has nothing to do with whether you are social or not, but reading can affect empathy.
DeleteNice comments i agree with Nichole
Delete"Your Brain On Fiction" an article by Annie Murphy Paul, states "The brain, it seems, does not make much of a distinction between reading about an experience and encountering it in real life." This means, that the parts of the brain that are stimulated while reading a book are the same parts that are simulated in a real life scenario. What if this is not a good thing? For example, what if a woman becomes so familiar with the idea of dating vampires and werewolves that all real world men seem bland to her? Extreme example I know. Do you think that reading fiction can taint your sense of reality?
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that reading fiction can taint your sense of reality. It gives people false ideas on how things should be. Like love stories, most are so unrealistic but girls don't realize that or even guys. They have unrealistic expectations and that can ruin your chance for a real relationship. If you read for fun and don't compare your life to it then it's fine
DeleteI believe reading and watching tv can alter peoples perception of reality. You can easily get a sense of this while watching the news. I remember seeing on the news a while back (unable to site) of a man that tried attacking a woman in her home while under the influence of drugs. While trying to attack this older lady he was spouting off about wanting to suck her blood as if believing himself that he was a vampire. Although, drugs had a mind altering affect in this example. The idea or influence had to come from somewhere whether in a book or on tv. Yet, there are way too many factors in our lives to determine whether or not this is a correlation or causation.
DeleteAfter this semester, this idea of mine is pretty well concrete in my brain. I think i should be a doctor
DeleteI really liked the part in the article where it talked about how when we read our brain can kind of make it seem real. I feel like that sometimes when I'm reading a really good book. I get so into it that it almost seems like your living in the book, and then when you are done with that really good book you don't want to start another book for awhile because you are still sort of living in the same book. I also hated it when I finished a really good series like Harry Potter and the Hunger Games because I never wanted it to end, so I could keep "living" in that series. Does anybody else feel like this sometimes?
ReplyDelete@Kelsey,
DeleteI agree with you. This article mentioned that when we read words that are action words or exciting words we feel more alive or drawn into the book or text. When I read the hunger games, I was so drawn into the book. I had to finish it to be happy. I never wanted the series to end. The book constantly threw out exciting words and instantly I was lured in. Its really amazing how our brains work and function when it comes to simple things as reading. This article did a great job of explaining now reading works. It kept me interested and wanting to know more!
I totally feel that way sometimes. I remember after reading Harry Potter, i never wanted to read any other book again because i was so into it. I really wished the book did not end. I would always pray that J.K ROWLING, the author of Harry Potter should keep writing and publishing more books. One day i just understood that at some point the book had to come to an end.
DeleteI totally feel that way sometimes. I remember after reading Harry Potter, i never wanted to read any other book again because i was so into it. I really wished the book did not end. I would always pray that J.K ROWLING, the author of Harry Potter should keep writing and publishing more books. One day i just understood that at some point the book had to come to an end.
DeleteI rememeber when I was little I liked to read alot, to try and keep up to my older sibling. And when I would finish really good books, I would always be mad it was over. I still get teased about it today by my family being the little girl who throws a tantrum when her book is done cause she didnt want it to end. Yup that was me,..
DeleteThat happens to me too Kenzie
DeleteI totally feel that way sometimes. I remember after reading Harry Potter, i never wanted to read any other book again because i was so into it. I really wished the book did not end. I would always pray that J.K ROWLING, the author of Harry Potter should keep writing and publishing more books. One day i just understood that at some point the book had to come to an end.
ReplyDeleteI totally know what you mean, when you get into a good book you really wish it would never end! I feel the same ways a lot of the time. I also get scared of it ending because I fear I will never find a book like it again... and when it comes to Harry Potter, so far there hasn't been a book like it.
DeleteSomething I found interesting in this article is when Annie Murphy Paul said " what scientists have come to realize in the last few years is that narratives activate many other parts of our brains as well, suggesting why the experience of reading can feel so alive." So like when you read certain words with strong odor associations like coffee, cinnamon or perfume its like if you were actually smelling them and I agree with it because when I read the word cinnamon or coffee I can imagine the smell and it seems like I am smelling it. So my question to the class is when you read certain words or phrases with an odor association does it seem to you that you can practically smell it? What do you guys think about this?
ReplyDeleteIn my case I am not one who can practically smell the odor being described in a book. I'm sure for a lot of people that is the case. My experience is a little different. For me it's not words that cause me to actually see, smell, or hear what is really going on in the book but it is when the setting or characters that are being described. I guess my thing is that, for me, it takes more then just one single word to get my creative juices pumping in my brain.
DeleteI think in my case, it just depends. Sometimes I might smell the odor being described in a book and sometimes i might not. It just depends on how the thing is being talked about. if the food was only talked about once, i might not smell the odor, but when it starts becoming a repetition and it is being talked about all over the chapter, then i begin to smell the odor of whatever food they are talking about.
DeleteI don't think i've ever actually smelled the odor of what i'm reading but I have definetly like started craving it, if its something I like and havent had for awhile. lol
Delete"The power of Young adult Fiction" -response
ReplyDeleteI just simply want to know if there's anyone else out there that is like the author- Joel Stein who thinks its embarrassing to read young adult books and then I want to know more on why this is?
I don't think there are going to be many people who agree with him. I think that Joel may have been writing this article just to get a rise out of people. kind of like how a shock jock tried to be crazy to get more ratings for their show.
DeleteI absolutley did not agree with him. I did find his article amusing, but I read all three Hunger Games in a week, and loved them.
DeleteI strongly disagree with Joel Stein in "Adults Should Read Adult Books." I don't think people should be limited to reading certain things. Adults don't need to read just adult books and it is not embarrassing for them to read children books or teen books. No matter what age you are, you can gain something from anything you read. I personally read books that I enjoy and I think everyone should. Does anyone else strongly disagree with this article?
ReplyDeleteI agree that people should read what they want to read but I do appreciate his point of view and his argumentative viewpoint.
DeleteI strongly agree that people should be able to read what they want to read. I also strongly disagree with Joel Stein.
Delete"The power of Young Adult Fiction"- response
ReplyDeleteI love the columnist Joel Stein. Although he may come across as a jerk in his debate, I really appreciate his blunt honesty about the matter. I think many people may share in his opinion, including my parents or people from older generations. My parents wouldn't be caught dead reading “children books” or indulging in “childish movies.” He often uses the word “embarrassing” when referring to adults reading young adult fiction. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with his debate, I just find his response very entertaining. Did anyone else find his comment interesting?
I found his comment really interesting. Also liked how he used the 'Embarrssing" word when he was talking about adults.
DeleteI found it very straight forward. I feel everyone is entitled to thier own opinion and that Joel Stein defenately stated his feelings, but i do disagree with him. Who are we to judge an age limit on anything? Who are we to judge anothers preference and what they like or don't like? We are entitled to our own freedom of character and life style.
DeleteIn Your "Brain on Fiction", I disagree with the part where Dr. Oatley and Dr. Mar believe people who read fictional books are more empathetic to others. I believe whatever you read can determine how empathetic you are towards others. What do you guys think?
ReplyDeletewhat i got out of it was, before he explained anything they made it clear that it was just a theory. In my case it does kind of make since if you look at it in there perspective but how our classmates been saying a fictional reader wouldn't be as social, so why would they make that connection to be empathetic to others.
Delete"The Power Of Young Adult Fiction"- Response
ReplyDeleteI very much disagree with Joel Stein. I think anyone should be able to read any boob they want. it doesnt matter if an adult is reading a childs book or reading a Young Adults book. we all learn from one another. Adults can gain a lot from reading a Young Adults book. its not embarassing. its just learning.
What do you guys think?
I agree, like you said, we can learn from Young Adult books, and Adult books. Both fills our mind with knowledge and questions. I don't think its embarassing to see some older dude reading a young adult book. At least he is reading.
Delete100% with you anthony. Anyone should be entitled to read anything they wish without having someone who believes they are superior looking down on you. Joel Stein is a god-complex retaining jerk
DeleteWhat did You guys think about the article "The Power Of Young Adult Fiction"? Do you guys agree or disagree with Joel Stein?
ReplyDeleteWhat do u think Guys?
According to Sharen G. Flake, we need more african american books. I think more variety would be a good thing. I personally dont judge my choice of books by what the character looks like, but more of the writing style, and the plot of the story and if i find myself engaged in it or not. What do you think? Do you base your choice of reading by the cover? or the content inside.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. I definetely do not judge the books I read by what the character looms like. It's more about how the book is been written. So I base my choice of reading on the content inside the book, not by the cover of the book
DeleteI guess this would be a two sided answer for me, Yes it does take an interesting cover or tagline to attract me to the book however rarely do i read books that have a picture of the characters on the front. i guess if i had to choose only one i would agree with you and say content because if not for content, why else read?
DeleteI totally agree with you. Upon the end of this semester, I realized that we should analyze a book in its contest, not just at the beginning or the cover. I have also noticed this reading the articles. Some of the articles we read did not have the most appealing beginnings, but ended up being great and valuable articles.
DeleteI totally agree with you. I definetely do not judge the books I read by what the character looms like. It's more about how the book is been written. So I base my choice of reading on the content inside the book, not by the cover of the book.
ReplyDeleteI agree, sometimes the books with the lamest covers turn out to be the best books!
DeleteSome of these questions and responses got me thinking, how often does everyone read a book that expressly outlines the characters physical features? or do you guys read books that fairly loosely describe a character, letting you develop them in your mind?. Which do you think is better and is there a correlation between the level of physical description a character gets and its intended audience?
ReplyDelete