Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: jbe who wrote (45904)	7/17/1999 11:34:00 PM
From: nihil	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 108807

Each of us is a member of the "great conversation" (Adler) and has to participate -- both give and take. It is impossible to like everything that others like, but I think one owes one's own civilization a try of everything that has lasted. Russell said that Shakespeare's plays should not be required of every school boy, but finally admitted that he should be made to try one. The great thing about lists of good books is that you may not contest a high placement until you've given each highly placed book a try. For me, Jane Austen and Henry James are lace-drawers writers I cannot abide. I would rather read a good telephone book. I like to learn something from my reading, something that is real and might actually come in handy. When I read Forester and O'Brien (whom I consider better for me than Austen and James) I sometimes learn something I want to remember. They simulate naval careers that were never written much about. Military (land-based fiction) is hardly necessary. One can read Xenophon or Caesar and know that he was actually there in battle and know how to behave. Maybe ladies need to study stories about getting daughters married well, and such like, I'd rather learn to handle a frigate in a stern chase.