The Nation's Bad Education

[dotinthesky]

What is worse: to be caught reading The Da Vinci Code on public transport, or one of Dan Brown's other novels? Because to read The Da Vinci Code tells the world that you are a sheep, a lemming with no taste; but to read another Dan Brown novel means that you actually liked The Da Vinci Code.

Other books you should not be caught dead reading on public transport:

• Harry Potter novels (for anyone over 14). Yes, they are pleasurable to read, but reading one in public is like going to work in your Halloween costume. There's a time and place (i.e. your home) for these if you are an adult.
  
• The Dummy's Guide to...
  
• How to Make Friends and Influence People
  
• Chick lit novels (these usually have pink or baby blue covers, with cartoonesque drawings.)
  
• Jehovah Witness pamphlets
  
• Celebrity magazines and trashy tabloids (although it's OK to read The Weekly World News.)
  
• Autobiographies by ex-Big Brother contestants
  

Any other reading material I should add to this list?

Comments

[idioticpoet.livejournal.com]

Yesterday, I read in the local paper that 50% of providence RI schoolage children (up to 11th grade) are reading below their grede level (some of whom, are reading 3 grades below level).

I can't speak for britain's education system. however, what i've gleaned from observations and encounters of the years here, and in michigan, I'm no longer surprised by which authors are popular. Regardless, if someone elese's taste in lit isn't my own, I'd rather see someone reading than not.

Also, the WWN prints one hell of a crossword puzzle.

[idioticpoet.livejournal.com]

er...that should be: "...over the years..." not "...of the years..."

guess I need sum a 'dat remedeel lurnin' too. ;)

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

In Brasil, I'd rather see someone reading than not because the country desperately needs more eduction - of any kind. But, in countries like America and Britain, I hold a higher expectation from people; so when I see someone reading crap, I take it personally!