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Victoria Beckham: "I've never read a book..."

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Less searchable M0rd4nt

20:36 / 15.02.02

Just now, on Graham Norton.

I hope this is either a joke or an exaggeration. I mean, she's 26, she's not exactly short of a bob or two, presumably she can actually read, she's not got learning difficulties, so what's going on?

Yes, I know she's not a world leader or anything but... yeesh.

(First person to call me an intellectual elitist wins a vintage Pog.)

08:15 / 16.02.02

Doesn't surprise me. At the risk of offending those with a weak stomach: she's a stupid cow and she looks like a bulemic skeleton.

There, I said what you were all thinking!

Christ, why is that people take pride in their personal stupidity quotient. I can't count the amount of times I've had to listen to some prat brag about how they "don't think much".

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

08:20 / 16.02.02

A friend of mine used to claim, almost proudly, that he'd never read an entire book in his life. Then, when I got into Mishima, he gave me his copy of "The Sea of Fertility" (all four novels in one lovely volume), and told me all his favourite bits.
Mind you, he was pretty fucked up.

08:20 / 16.02.02

I honestly think it's a scandal. People should be ashamed of not having read a book in their lives. It should be something you're embarrassed about...

A

11:06 / 16.02.02

I once read an interview with Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson (i was bored and sitting in a car with nothing else to do, okay?), and she said the following (or something very close to it)-

"I don't think that you should read anything you didn't write yourself."

...which the unbearably sycophantic writer followed with "hers is very much a street wisdom". (whatever the fuck that means).

11:51 / 16.02.02

(Hasn't whatshername supposedly written at least one book?

)

oh, oh, question;
What would be your reaction to someone who had never read a book because s/he was some kind of hardcore lo-brow pop culture militant who thought truth could only be found in TV & video games, rather than just because s/he was a dumbass?

would thaty be different?
better? worse?

[ 16-02-2002: Message edited by: Rizla Year Zero ]

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

12:07 / 16.02.02

But surely they make you read books at school? She must have read one or two...

The way in which Posh articulated it, suggested to me that she had read, but she could never make it through a whole book without any "help". Not really shocking, kind of sad though.

But then, in a world of disposable products, and fleeting images on television, a book may have created a ripple effect in her ad+d addled brain, and... and..... and.... it would have been like Geri all over again.

*shakes hand at telly screen* "Just shuuuut up"

At least she seems happily aware that she is, a bit dim. Which I can respect, in some way. The Becks are truly the epitomy of our society.

12:30 / 16.02.02

i think mrs beckham was quite rude in wearing that ugly hat on a teevee show. it's not polite to leave your hat on when you're on the telly.
and although i could still see her greasy lips, i was pleased the hat covered up half her face.

12:38 / 16.02.02

Who the hell is Victoria Beckham?

For that matter, who the hell is Graham Chapman?

Why would someone name their kid after a cracker?

Matthew Fluxington

13:01 / 16.02.02

Victoria Beckham : Posh Spice from the Spice Girls.

Beckham : surname of Football (Soccer to me) playing husband David Beckham, legendary asshole.

These are two people only folks from the UK care about.

Less searchable M0rd4nt

13:22 / 16.02.02

Call me strange, but my definition of poshness would normally include "having read at least one single fucking book."

And in answer to Rizla's question,
What would be your reaction to someone who had never read a book because s/he was some kind of hardcore lo-brow pop culture militant who thought truth could only be found in TV & video games, rather than just because s/he was a dumbass?

I'd have to say that my reaction would be, "Oh look. A pretentious dumbass."

Don't get me wrong- TV can be a valuable educator, and video games are sophisticated enough now that some of them can genuinely engage the mind. I just feel that reading is good, even if it's just the bestsellers. Even a writer-by-numbers like Terry Pratchett can sling a few interesting, thought-provoking ideas at his readers. As for being aware that you're dim- well, fine; if you're not aware of your limitations then you can't ever push outside them. It's the taking of pride in being culpably ignorant that is worrying. That way, Newspeak lies...

13:52 / 16.02.02

It's a far cry from Victoria's proud confession (which was probably intended to yank exactly the reaction we're currently having), but I had the pleasure to speak to novelist James Ellroy once, and he said (something to the effect of):

"I never read books, any books, and I never watch movies. I can't read books because they influence my voice. And I don't watch movies because they're all crap. The only entertainment I allow myself is listening to old jazz records."

Of course, moreso than most authors, Ellroy is pretty big on inventing a larger than life persona for himself.

13:55 / 16.02.02

It actually seems to be getting more and more commonplace for individuals in the public eye to admit - with little or no shame/embarrassment - they've never read a book. During 'Big Brother' both Helen Fuckwit and Brian Stereotype said much the same thing (actually, Brian had at least started reading one book - Geri fucking Halliwell's autobiography).

Victoria Beckham's one of those people whose mere existence irritates me, though, so I'm possibly not best placed to comment. Forget reading publications; I just wish she'd stop appearing in 'em.

What'd her single chart at this time? No.18?

Less searchable M0rd4nt

15:01 / 16.02.02

18th? In her dreams.

I normally can't be induced to give a flying fuck about the Victoria Beckhams of this world; I'm old enough now to have realized that while individual vacuous morons in frocks may drop in and out of sight, the Vacuous Moron In A Frock is an eternal figure so if you don't want an ulcer, it's best not to get too worked up about them. Trouble is, she has a body like a toffee pipecleaner and is On Telly; people will listen to her. They will observe her non-book-reading ways and do likewise. Yeesh.

15:04 / 16.02.02

ha ha, that new song of hers is so bad! i think i even preferred it when she was 'garage' w/dane bowers.

[ 16-02-2002: Message edited by: suds ]

16:47 / 16.02.02

she would appear to be well suited on the literacy front to her gorgeous partner then. did he not have Victoria transcribed into Hindi script and tattooed down his forearm, only it was misspelt?

<<titter>>

edited to correct my own misspelling, so easily done. at least I don't have to have my forearm amputated to do it.

[ 16-02-2002: Message edited by: ZoCher ]

16:50 / 16.02.02

Wasn't it Telegu for "starving carnivore"? Or Greerian?

18:05 / 16.02.02

quote:What would be your reaction to someone who had never read a book because s/he was some kind of hardcore lo-brow pop culture militant who thought truth could only be found in TV & video games, rather than just because s/he was a dumbass?

I would say that someone who believed in those principles would have had to have read a book at one point in the past - either to get the damn idea in the first place or to support their ideology.

But essentially - there is no excuse for a culture that doesn't help people ENJOY reading books. I don't read as much as I would like - mainly because of the damn internet, which drags me into its sticky maw every change it gets. But there are so many moments in your life when reading a book can be transformative and relevatory. Everyone should have experienced one of those moments, even if they subsequently choose not to seek any more of them out.

18:32 / 16.02.02

Now who was telling me Posh wanted to work with Dr Dre? That I'd like to hear.

18:34 / 16.02.02

I expect she'd be eager to work with anyone who might a) infuse her anaemic 'why-bother' vocal with any sort of energy, and b) touch her with a shitty stick.

18:42 / 16.02.02

I've never read the Barbelith messageboard.

it bothers me more that some people when they choose to pick up a book will choose a Forbidden Realms D&D novelization or a romance novel. or the freakin' Bible.

19:26 / 16.02.02

Heck I've had friends I'm sure have never read a book outside of school, I don't particularly see that they should be despised because of it.
But I apologise, I shouldn't break up the snobbery of the 'I love Withnail and I' crowd, it's just so difficult not to.

Less searchable M0rd4nt

19:39 / 16.02.02

Point, D.
(I blame school. School sometimes seems to offer aversion therapy for reading. Didn't do the whole conventional education thing myself, but I've seen the reading lists. If somebody made me write 3000 words on Lord of the Flies, I'm not sure I'd want to read anything either.)
However, Plastic Tits Beckham is not one of your mates, she's a 26 year old woman with dosh coming out of her ears. I mean, surely she's over the school thing, yes? And we are talking No Books, Ever, Not Even The Fucking Dragonlance Chronicles. Plus, they're probably not on national television bragging about it.

[ 16-02-2002: Message edited by: Mordant C@rnival ]

19:51 / 16.02.02

are we in a facist society where we all have to read books (at least once in our life)?
fuck this dumb bitch and her kind. and if anyone follows by her example then fuck them too. death is too soon for those wankers.

we need people to work in factorys.

09:07 / 17.02.02

i don't think it's individually shameful not to have read a book, though you're cutting out a lot of possible experience, like, say, never having left your home town

i suppose there might be some point about a culture in which it is considered not considered a point against someone to be closed-minded... but really, it was on Graham Norton, what do you expect?

09:07 / 17.02.02

reading books gives you the opportunity to experience the ethical acrobatics of understanding other people's points of view. it is practice for communication. it makes it possible to consider how to solve inter-personal problems without waging physical conflict. at least, the western world -- in oral traditions, there's a whole different system. which you wouldnt be able to imagine if you hadn't read a book.

anyone who purposefully doesn't read books should be turned into protein-rich food for people who'd like to see a more reasonable world.

09:07 / 17.02.02

quote:Originally posted by Mystery Gypt:
reading books gives you the opportunity to experience the ethical acrobatics of understanding other people's points of view. it is practice for communication. it makes it possible to consider how to solve inter-personal problems without waging physical conflict. at least, the western world -- in oral traditions, there's a whole different system. which you wouldnt be able to imagine if you hadn't read a book.

Whereas otherwise one would be a violent drooling maniacal sociopath?
Books are fun sure and they can be pretty mind-expanding sometimes, but again this ugly snobbish attitude. It gives bookworms a bad name.
I simply wish upon wish that not one of you are ever involved in a literacy drive, what would be your slogan?
Read or be a waste of space you damned idiots!

It is this superior/inferior bullshit that no doubt scares some people away from books.

09:07 / 17.02.02

[rider - I didn't actually see young Posh say this]

Surely, however, if she is boasting that she has never read a book, that in itself is creating a superior/inferior binary opposition, which inherently suggests that she believes there is something in the admission which elevates her to a position of superiority?

Or to put it in another, less being-pretentious-for-no-good reason way, if claiming never reading a book is something to be proud of, then I'd say we have a problem.

I have no quarrel with people who have never read a book, and I have no problem with those who have read hundreds of books, either.

I do have a problem when either claims what they are doing is *better*.

Oh, and for such a bunch of intellectual snobs, I'd have thought someone would have let the good Reverend know that Graham Chapman was in a differentr camp of celebrity, as it were. He was a great part of the Monty Python team, and is now sadly missed.

Graham Norton is the host of a bizzarely compelling chat show here in the UK, and a very nice and intelligent man to boot.

10:49 / 17.02.02

I don't think anyone here would argue that everyone in the world should read books or face being mulched. But there is a substantial difference even between preferring to watch movies or read comic books and NEVER having read a book.

And even then I'm going to stick my neck out and say that it is BAD to be ignorant, BAD to be ill-informed and GOOD to be well read, even if the far reaches of complete renaissance-manhood escape most of us.

Less searchable M0rd4nt

12:03 / 17.02.02

"Rampant Intellectual Elitism!" vs "Read- or be Manbeef!"

I thought I saw some middle ground lying around here somewhere?

The Damned Yankee

23:50 / 17.02.02

Here's an idea for the ad campaign: Victoria Beckham sitting down with a copy of Macbeth while casting a worried sidelong glance at a hand pointing a gun at her head.

The slogan: READ OR BE PURGED.

Hey, it could work. . .

And it's the Forgotten Realms, BTW. Anyway, I prefer the DragonLance books, and I've had quite enough of the Bible for one lifetime.

07:03 / 18.02.02

I didn't see the prog - was she positively proud of the fact that she hadn't read a book, or are you guys (yeah, you lot there) inferring pride from the fact that she wasn't ashamed of it enough to pretend otherwise?

And is it shameful to have read a load of fiction but no non-fiction (or vice-versa)?

[ 18-02-2002: Message edited by: Saveloy ]

08:26 / 18.02.02

No, of course not.

She didn't seem proud, but she did seem to find it extremely amusing.

08:31 / 18.02.02

never fucking mind.....

[ 18-02-2002: Message edited by: bear ]

The Return Of Rothkoid

08:31 / 18.02.02

quote:Originally posted by Tom Coates:
I don't read as much as I would like - mainly because of the damn internet, which drags me into its sticky maw every change it gets.See, I'd argue that the internet is the lesser of all recreational evils as it requires a certain amount of reading to use; you're reading a lot more than you would do if you were just sitting in front of the TV watching Buffy reruns. This is conducive to getting people a bit more into reading, I guess - even though it's not the same kind of reading. My brother, for example, reads more now that he's on the Net - he's not really into novels - but it doesn't change the fact that there is an element of experience that's lost by not reading books. Certainly, I don't really regret the amount of time I spend online - well, not much - but I do still wish I'd read more books than I have, and I still feel guilty about the amount of time I spend doing things other than reading, given that there's such a wealth of things out there that I've yet to (and, possibly, will never) read.

While I hesitate to say it's shameful for someone to have never read a book - that implies that I'm somehow better than them, which I'm uncomfortable with - I do think that it's a loss. Whether they regard it as so is up to them, I guess. I recall hearing that statistic that said that adults in the western world read, on average, two books a year - that frightened me, but I can't put my finger on why.

I did see parts of the show that Posh was on, but her outfit scared me off, so I kinda avoided it. I recall the Elle MacPherson thing, though, and it did strike me as a bit of a stupid thing to say...

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