Closing some tabs...

[alexiscartwheel]

First off, we have this gem from last week's Washington Post on how today's college students aren't reading the beat poets, and are therefore idiots. Basically. I think it's just yet another round of "kids these days" BS. Today's young adults aren't less involved in radical politics because they like the Twilight books; there are loads of other societal factors effecting that.

What you see at the next revolution is far more likely to be a well-designed Web site than a radical novel or a poem. Not to be a drag, but that's so uncool. For those of us who care about literature and think it still has a lot to offer, it's time to start chanting, "Hell, no! We won't go!"

Well, yes, literature does have plenty to author. But just cause I don't really care for Kerouac doesn't make me dumb. You have your classics, we have ours. Okay?

In better news, the New York Times reports that book sales are up in Europe thanks to the recession. Books make for inexpensive but high quality entertainment. (Even French translations of Twilight. If you couldn't tell, I don't like being judgey about what people read. Even if Twilight is kinda lulzy.)

And in the Guardian, "Librarians are necessarily heroes and warriors - albeit in disguise." I would so love to work at the British Library, even if they have misplaced some of their books. And can I just say that the Guardian has a much better books section than most U.S. papers? (Actually, many U.S. papers are ditching books all together. Sad.)

***

This has nothing to do with books, but the SciFi Channel rebrand? EPIC FAIL. SyFy? Seriously? I like io9's assement: "I mean, it's the same name! Just spelled stupidly!" Do they think people won't notice? For current science fiction fans, it's insulting. And for non-fans, well, what exactly has changed? I like some of the alternate options on io9, like "The Why Isn't Battlestar Galactica On Anymore Channel" or "The Look, Just Fuck Off Geeks, We Don't Want Your Kind Round Here Network."

Comments

[d4ni.livejournal.com]

Everyone is all up in arms about the SciFi channel rebranding. I'll agree that it's pretty retarded, but really, what can you expect from the network that shows pro-wrestling alongside the awesomeness of Battlestar Galactica?

It's just another blow to my science fiction fangirliness. How in the nine hells am I going to get my space opera fix once BSG is over?!

[alexiscartwheel.livejournal.com]

The wrestling is just another example of network mismanagement. It's seems like they're blowing their unique niche. What's so wrong about embracing the fact that there's some really kick-ass science fiction out there?

And I don't know. You could take the opportunity to become a Trekkie, I guess.

[stubefied-by-gd.livejournal.com]

Too much stupid!

I read that SciFi wanted to be SyFy so they could trademark it or something. And it showed Pirates of the Caribbean the other night. I like pirates and all, but they are so not sci-fi!

[alexiscartwheel.livejournal.com]

Pirates of the Caribbean is sort of a stretch... but does have cursed skeleton pirates. The fantasy adventure bit makes it a much better fit than the wrestling, which is just dumb.

The trademark thing... eh, kind of a lame justification. It took them over 15 years to decide they needed a trademark?

[tsukara.livejournal.com]

Every library misplaces books. The amount just goes up with amount of books. It's probably impressive it's only 9000. *resists the blatent meme*

The rebranding is insulting not only in the name change (because, whatever, New Coke is still Coke) but the reasons why. They sat there and called all geeks dysfunctional boys who sit in basements and play video games all day. That's the bit that outrages me.

[alexiscartwheel.livejournal.com]

Don't I know it. Even the public library branch where I used to work was always missing items. Usually when we did shelf reading, some would turn up.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure the Library of Congress has lost OVER 9000!! of their books. Heh.

You'd expect much better from a network (mostly) full of science fiction programming. Why not show great stuff that proves to skeptical audiences that scifi is actually pretty cool, rather than spouting inaccurate stereotypes? I am certainly not a dysfunctional basement dweller, and I'm rubbish at video games, but I quite enjoy a good show in space. What about that is so hard for them to understand?

[sagacious-c.livejournal.com]

I join you in annoyance with the premise that people not reading the beat poets as much anymore implies that current generations are lame. Each generation has their own defining trends and embracing past trends isn't on its own a bad thing. On the Road is like 50 years old now and maybe it isn't as timeless as people think...

As for SyFy... Idiots. It's clear they're confused -- it's mystifying watching the commercials that come on during BSG. A lot of ED treatment drugs and male-oriented stuff. BUT, I remember reading recently that BSG viewership is actually more female than male, and I think that sci-fi in general is actually attracting more and more women. I don't know if the "SyFy" thing is supposed to make it more female friendly (sure doesn't work for me!)... and maybe they have data that more men actually watch the program when it airs as opposed to on DVD or by downloading... But I suspect they're going through an identity crisis and don't know what they're doing.

[alexiscartwheel.livejournal.com]

Each generation has their own defining trends and embracing past trends isn't on its own a bad thing.

Exactly! It seems unreasonable to expect that the same books will resonate the same way to later generations. The cultural zeitgeist is just totally different for college students now.

But I suspect they're going through an identity crisis and don't know what they're doing.

Definitely. Seems like a more effective way to create a new identity would be scrapping the stupid movies (I recall several commercials this week about a spring break shark attack movie...) and replacing them with more good shows like BSG. Or is that too obvious an answer?

[carrotgirl.livejournal.com]

It's good that you don't judge what people read. Librarians shouldn't.

[alexiscartwheel.livejournal.com]

Word.

Unless of course it's those hoodie wearing kids. SHUUUUN.

[carrotgirl.livejournal.com]

HAHAHAHAHAHA AWESOME. I will never forget that day.

[alexiscartwheel.livejournal.com]

One of the all time highlights of library school!