WTF?!

I still have movies to talk about - but first - a pause to talk about things that I am baffled by.

Ok... I only read this passage titled "Quick Reads finds snack-reading between meals can refresh the synapses other opiates can’t reach"(initially read on Passive Guy's blog) because I thought it would talk about something like taking short reading breaks throughout the day might help keep the brain cells active or something. What I found was this paragraph:

"Quick Reads declares that: “1 in 6 adults of working age in the UK find reading difficult and may never pick up a book. People’s reasons for not reading are varied but are often based in fear. Some people say they find books scary and intimidating, thinking they are ‘not for them’ or that books are difficult or boring.”

I'm sorry? What? Or more aptly, WTF?! Books are scary? People don't read because they find books scary and intimidating? Who are these people?  What rock did they crawl out from? What kind of ignorant, tragic upbringing did they have? Truly - my head wants to pop off my shoulders like a Ken doll right now.

Granted the article linked to above by Paul St John Mackintosh personally adds this:

"You have to wonder, though, who’s at fault here? A nation that can believe and endorse such bilge? A statement like that implies a bone-deep anti-intellectualism and anti-achievement attitude so embedded in the marrow of a society that it’d need the cultural and educational equivalent of deep radiotherapy more than a course of snack reads to win it round. And you have to wonder about the values and smarts of a society that can only figure out a value for reading by comparing it to a shot of Red Bull."

Couldn't agree more, Mr. Mackintosh! Wow.... books scary? I don't think so. Quick Reads is actually a UK site trying to promote literacy. So, good for them!  They may be fighting an uphill battle if those 1 in 6 UK adults are afraid of books. I mean we're not talking the Monster Book of Monsters from Harry Potter, here. No we're just talking books. Regular old, non-threatening books. If books are scary because they're 'not for them', then go to the library until you find one that isn't looming over you with gnashing teeth. And if they are boring... hello... use the library and find one that isn't. And if they are too difficult? Then grab a dictionary or start at a level that isn't too difficult and work your way up. For crying out loud, people, reading is one of the best things you can do for your brain and your soul. Find a little courage and read something.

My apologies... I know that I am preaching to the choir right now, but I was truly dumbfounded. Rant over.

New rant.

In the same Passive Guy piece, I found this little gem about how Target is selling Fifty Shades of Grey merchandise that includes "specially-marketed massage oil, a blindfold set, lubricant, and a vibrating love ring".  Okay, I was in an adult store (you know, XXX Adult) and saw one of these Fifty Shades merchandise stands and just about laughed myself silly. Really! It had these pitiful little fur-covered handcuffs and tiny little foofy floggers that wouldn't leave a mark on the most sensitive skin under the most intense use. But the 'good' Target shoppers were shocked and uncomfortable by this stuff. Okay. I dunno. It made me laugh. (I know I'm twisted and off the beaten path.. what's new?)

I even tried to read the book. I did. I tried and couldn't get past maybe page 80 cuz it was so boring. How do you make something as titillating as BDSM boring? I'm not sure, but E.L. James did it. I'm glad if this book is the source of people possibly tapping into a lifestyle that will enhance their lives, but for those of us (and I am using the royal 'us' due to the mouse in my pocket) actually in the lifestyle, this is not realistic. I think it's supposed to be a romance. I think it's supposed to be about BDSM. But, I think both are possibly dodgy in the storytelling aspects.  I have to wonder if E.L. James has any kind of experience with real BDSM more than what she may have read online. I dunno. Maybe someone can point me to the part of the book where 'interesting' things are happening and I can read that bit. Maybe that will keep my attention.

Sigh.... okay, rant over again. I apologize but today I guess I'm feeling a little baffled by the world. And tired and worn down from - idiocy? stupidity? - I dunno. Just tired and worn down from things that make no sense to me. Maybe I'm being harsh and it's just my mood talking today, but maybe not. Thoughts anyone?