Also the thing about physical books is that the book you're physically have is all yours, and always will be. It's not dependent on subscriptions, legal problems when something gets deleted, censorship or degrading battery of your said kindle. It is literally ink on a piece of paper and it will be with you for all your life if you take care of it. It's about preservation and ability to re-read something you once read.
All of my many digital books exist in Calibre, backed up ten ways to Sunday. We have to be diligent about stripping the DRM from the books we buy and putting them some place out of the reach of those who may wish to censor. I don't really think this is the problem you think it is.
This video is very well-produced and interesting, but I'm wondering that if by focusing on bookish fakery, we're ignoring the more important and extremely concerning cultural phenomenon of anti-intellectualism, and the fact that people are reading less and less books each year. I have seen those pictures of celebrities holding books and honestly, I think that's rad. I see every type of person read, and I love when I see someone enjoy a book in public. Books aren't just a signal of class, they provide much needed escapism, are windows for empathy, and sources of knowledge that can't be taken from us. That clip of Ashley Tisdale is ridiculous, but kind of good on her for being honest that they'd just bought all of the books. Using that as an example of general bookish fakery doesn't work too well for me, since most people couldn't afford to buy that many books at once, and she's not even trying to fake that the books were hers already. Anything that encourages people to read is a positive for me, and my heart hurts for the generation of students screwed over by "whole language" learning, which sabotaged many kid's ability to be fully literate.
I take it you may of also watched alisha's video "Booktok, Brainrot, and Why It’s Okay to Be a Hater"? I ask because she made some great points on anti-intellectualism and it sounds like you may of watched that one as well! I agree with your comment wholeheartedly.
@@missesbimbeaux Haven't seen that video, but anti-intellectualism has been on the rise for years now if not decades and I've seen other videos and read articles about it.
What that is being produced is worth reading? The market is flooded in shit. And see tons of ads about how easy it is to make a book with AI which tells me it's being used heavily. Welcome to hell.
Although there is a raise in anti-intellectualism, I don't think reading a book = intellect. You can "gain intellect" from many different sources/media and it doesn't make those who don't like reading less thoughtful. It's like associating ppl who enjoy movies and cinematography with being a mindless, couch potato.
I started reading this year. I have spend my whole life on my phone, so i get so proud of myself when i read a full chapter (hard picking up the book, bad concentration). And I think alot of people put a really high standard on how many books you should read a year, or which to read to be a cool person... I am right now reading a book for 12 year olds about glamour and friendships. It is soooo not me, haha, but I never got to read it as a kid, so i wanna see what i missed. what im trying to say -- to those who needs to hear it - dont take it too seriusly. The coolest people are those who are honest to themselves and others, who dont copy-paste others, you know? (its 1.33 at night, it might not make sense..)
Ebooks are wonderful for those of us with poor vision. Same with audiobooks. You still experienced the story, and don't have to add more bookshelves. I still have tons of physical books, but they are mostly nonfiction. I use ebooks for fiction reading on my tablet.
I still remember one 800 page novel that made me glad that I bought the ebook version instead of the physical lmao. I wouldn't want to bring a brick everywhere.
I love this! Especially the bits about bookish fakes & fake books. Books on my shelf are my friends & bring me comfort. I still have the copy of Beloved that I bought in the 90’s for my women’s studies class.❤
This is all VERY true. I used to read when I was little and picked it up a few years ago when it was gaining traction again in "media". I asked myself if I wanted to buy books or just get an e-reader. I literally remember choosing the physical books because I wanted to be able to take pics and post about the books I was reading. Fast forward a year later, I had only actually read 2 out of the 70+ books I had bought. Fast forward some years, I sold the majority of the physical copies of my books and just went ahead and bought a phone specifically to use as an e-reader (no service on it, matte screen protector, phone in greyscale mode) and I've gotten through way more books that way. Reading literally to "come off a certain way" is absolutely a problem! Not to mention that I could've also supported my local library as well as opposed to buying up books, which is now something that I also do if I do want the physical copy of a book in hand. This also helps for when I travel, I can simply take my e-reader.
As an avid reader myself, I can say that I don't like big Goodreads goals or fake books or quantity over quality reading. We shouldn't let posers keep us from reading classics and philosophy. Reading good books is one of the best things you can do for yourself. It improves empathy, mental health, and various academic skills. Likewise, regular excercise is important lol. Striving to fight off obesity and have good muscle mass is a good thing. Can these things be pushed too far? Sure, but we should try to form healthy habits.
you are so smart and i can tell a lot of work went into the editing and script writing for this video, can't wait to see what you release next! (if you so desire, that is.) just my little addition, but as someone who read a lot in my childhood due to not having anything else to do and very little money, now that i'm undeniably addicted to the internet i find myself feeling ashamed for not picking my hobby for reading back up. i find i am guilty of the "act bookish" aesthetic. it's almost like i forgot how to actually read and now i just have books in my house without ever reading them. not quite sure how to fix it but i think it involves reading if you want to, and not reading if you don't. if those people are forcing themselves through rory gilmore's reading list, it's unlikely they will return to the hobby for real because it's not actually fun if you're just pretending!!! sorry for the long comment, this is just something that has been on my mind for years now and i love that you have made such a succinct yet in-depth essay on the topic!! it was just lovely (*^o^*)
I'm of two minds here. On the one hand, fakery is never a good color and reducing reading to status is dicey. On the other hand, if books and reading have this cachet, then a certain number of the people buying books and surrounding themselves with bookish things will actually open the books and begin to read, and as many readers can attest, once you open a book, the book has the opportunity to open you.
I read ebooks and listen to audiobooks on my phone through digital libraries because I can’t afford new books or even used books at the amount I read and I have a hard time getting through physical copies. If I did have physical books, my shelves would be lined with at least 50 books on history, politics, and indigenous history/culture but I sacrifice the aesthetic for actually getting to consume the books. But also the only reason I’m able to consume so many books is because I’m allowed to listen to audiobooks at work. Reading is an privilege that sometimes comes at the sacrifice of the aesthetic if you actually care about it
Would everything we do be scrutinized if social media wasn’t so prevalent? Would we even go to such lengths to project and distort others views of ourselves? The truth is that reading and reading literacy are on the decline and that is a really bad thing. maybe someone reading in public can return to just someone reading in public and it not having any morality attached to it. I enjoyed this video :-) it for sure provides some food for thought
I feel like Gilmore Girls makes it very clear that Rory’s “bookishness” wasn’t enough because in her senior year she realized this and had a freak out where she tried to make connections and join additional extracurriculars. She also knew that a school like Chilton would give her an upper hand. I think she ultimately felt that there was no shame in using her connections unlike Lorelai, and that’s meant to show differences in their character. Rory will accept help more readily than her mother who prides herself on hard work, and she is also more hard working and self reliant than her grandparents. It’s meant to show the way that both her mother and her grandparents have an effect and impact on who she is.
Very interesting video, glad youtube served it up to me, but with the discussion on "owning" books to look bookish, I would've liked to have seen a discussion of the role of public libraries in a digital age as borrowing from them won't necessarily project your bookishness as thoroughly as owning a book outright. Also, could you consider adding links or DOIs to the references in your description? Thank you for adding them and it's obviously not too difficult for me to google the ones I'm interested in, but it would be convenient for anyone interested lol
I see having physical books as like having music on vinyl, where it just adds another layer and ritual to the experience that in my opinion promotes mindfulness and presence. It also creates a more physical connection to the art that we love. You can look at a photo on your phone, but printing it out and hanging it feels like a greater expression of appreciation.
holy shit amelia who are you and where did you come from and why is this so good. i feel like i've been waiting for this video for like two years without even knowing
At 9:15 I was honestly shocked by the lack of responsibility, patience and interest she shows for so many book. This is so sad, and disrespectful of the author and ressources used to make the books. Your video was really interesting ❤
Interesting take! That clip makes me think about the wealth inequality that makes it harder for people who want to buy books they actually like to be able to do that. While the ultra-wealthy (not sure if she's in this category, but she is certainly way more than just comfortable financially) can afford things they don't even want or need, while also hoarding the resources everyone else needs to live. By focusing on the bookish faking, it feels like we're side-stepping the issue of resources. Is Ashley Tisdale herself hurting anyone by buying a bunch of books? Or is the problem that so few have so much, while the rest of us struggle? I'm so grateful the library still exists, it's one of the only equalizing institutions left. Support your libraries! Especially since so many of our houseless neighbors access services there, and things are about to get even harder for the most marginalized communities. It's totally fine to feel annoyed or angry at the phenomenon of bookish fakery, I just want us to save our ire for those who'd watch us all starve as they destroy the earth (billionaires). Who does it benefit to police people's authenticity in their hobbies? Especially since women seem to be the common targets for the "faking bookishness" accusation.
I think that the main reason ebooks stopped being popular is because their prices have quickly increased to the point where they couldn't compete with paperbacks. Also, access to them depends on fallible devices and also mainstream stores force DRM. Physical books started competing by more decorative physical books and also discounts and free shipping became a thing, and at the same time, there's a clear opposition in publishing industry to treating ebooks as much more affordable option. Book industry has deliberately suppressed ebooks.
Extremely interesting and insightful! I definitely have experienced this subculture to a certain degree, although I guess it would be more prevalent on upper class and first world societies that in others that are as detached from books as a whole as they are from many of humanities advancements and knowledge.
“It was the 2010s. People were wearing owl necklaces…” 😂😂 this was great. Your humor is sublime. 💫 As a life long reader I’ve never understood the fake book thing. If you care enough about looking like an intellectual, why don’t you buy real books and actually read them and become an intellectual? 😅
Great video! I also think there's something to be said about the genre of book that is typically read/associated with on booktok - they're near exclusively smut books that hinge on fanfiction tropes. Very far from the classics associated with 'true' bookishness, but they still seem to be used as a symbol of intellect merely through the fact it is a book. (Not that there's anything wrong with those books, but it is interesting how the identity of being a reader has shifted so much that you don't need to know anything about the literary canon in order to adopt it.)
If completing the Rory Gilmore list imparts on you Rory Gilmore’s morals then I am afraid we are all at risk of becoming conceited, classist, self-serving adulterers.
nice video. i do think it's a bit silly to be overly concerned about this stuff. i dont care if someone fakes bookishness. in my opinion the greater harm is accusing people of being fake based on surface appearance at most. does someone really need to prove they are a reader because all they post about are Rory Gilmore outfits? is it really abnormal that an actress who makes art for a living is interested in other forms of art? besides, faking it a little, as a source of motivation, is normal. if someone is faking it too much, leave it to their close circle to make that observation to them, i dont need to assume it from a distance.
“By pinning one of Rory Gilmore’s outfits, people can proclaim a nearness to books without actually reading one.” This seems very far fetched.. let people enjoy books or outfits without having to ‘form an intellectual appearance’
Also the thing about physical books is that the book you're physically have is all yours, and always will be. It's not dependent on subscriptions, legal problems when something gets deleted, censorship or degrading battery of your said kindle. It is literally ink on a piece of paper and it will be with you for all your life if you take care of it. It's about preservation and ability to re-read something you once read.
All of my many digital books exist in Calibre, backed up ten ways to Sunday. We have to be diligent about stripping the DRM from the books we buy and putting them some place out of the reach of those who may wish to censor. I don't really think this is the problem you think it is.
It's a different kind of ownership but yes, in my opinion physical books are better ✨️
This video is very well-produced and interesting, but I'm wondering that if by focusing on bookish fakery, we're ignoring the more important and extremely concerning cultural phenomenon of anti-intellectualism, and the fact that people are reading less and less books each year. I have seen those pictures of celebrities holding books and honestly, I think that's rad. I see every type of person read, and I love when I see someone enjoy a book in public. Books aren't just a signal of class, they provide much needed escapism, are windows for empathy, and sources of knowledge that can't be taken from us. That clip of Ashley Tisdale is ridiculous, but kind of good on her for being honest that they'd just bought all of the books. Using that as an example of general bookish fakery doesn't work too well for me, since most people couldn't afford to buy that many books at once, and she's not even trying to fake that the books were hers already. Anything that encourages people to read is a positive for me, and my heart hurts for the generation of students screwed over by "whole language" learning, which sabotaged many kid's ability to be fully literate.
I take it you may of also watched alisha's video "Booktok, Brainrot, and Why It’s Okay to Be a Hater"? I ask because she made some great points on anti-intellectualism and it sounds like you may of watched that one as well! I agree with your comment wholeheartedly.
@@missesbimbeaux Haven't seen that video, but anti-intellectualism has been on the rise for years now if not decades and I've seen other videos and read articles about it.
What that is being produced is worth reading? The market is flooded in shit. And see tons of ads about how easy it is to make a book with AI which tells me it's being used heavily. Welcome to hell.
Reading fewer and fewer books* 🤓👩🏻🏫
Although there is a raise in anti-intellectualism, I don't think reading a book = intellect. You can "gain intellect" from many different sources/media and it doesn't make those who don't like reading less thoughtful. It's like associating ppl who enjoy movies and cinematography with being a mindless, couch potato.
I started reading this year. I have spend my whole life on my phone, so i get so proud of myself when i read a full chapter (hard picking up the book, bad concentration). And I think alot of people put a really high standard on how many books you should read a year, or which to read to be a cool person... I am right now reading a book for 12 year olds about glamour and friendships. It is soooo not me, haha, but I never got to read it as a kid, so i wanna see what i missed.
what im trying to say -- to those who needs to hear it - dont take it too seriusly. The coolest people are those who are honest to themselves and others, who dont copy-paste others, you know?
(its 1.33 at night, it might not make sense..)
Can you share the title of that book, please?
Ebooks are wonderful for those of us with poor vision. Same with audiobooks. You still experienced the story, and don't have to add more bookshelves. I still have tons of physical books, but they are mostly nonfiction. I use ebooks for fiction reading on my tablet.
I only listen to audiobooks now because it is the most comfortable way for me to consume literature. Reading too much gives me terrible headaches.
And for other disabilties too.
I still remember one 800 page novel that made me glad that I bought the ebook version instead of the physical lmao. I wouldn't want to bring a brick everywhere.
I love this! Especially the bits about bookish fakes & fake books.
Books on my shelf are my friends & bring me comfort. I still have the copy of Beloved that I bought in the 90’s for my women’s studies class.❤
This is all VERY true. I used to read when I was little and picked it up a few years ago when it was gaining traction again in "media". I asked myself if I wanted to buy books or just get an e-reader. I literally remember choosing the physical books because I wanted to be able to take pics and post about the books I was reading. Fast forward a year later, I had only actually read 2 out of the 70+ books I had bought. Fast forward some years, I sold the majority of the physical copies of my books and just went ahead and bought a phone specifically to use as an e-reader (no service on it, matte screen protector, phone in greyscale mode) and I've gotten through way more books that way. Reading literally to "come off a certain way" is absolutely a problem! Not to mention that I could've also supported my local library as well as opposed to buying up books, which is now something that I also do if I do want the physical copy of a book in hand. This also helps for when I travel, I can simply take my e-reader.
I like having physical books because they don’t have any other distractions built in
As an avid reader myself, I can say that I don't like big Goodreads goals or fake books or quantity over quality reading. We shouldn't let posers keep us from reading classics and philosophy. Reading good books is one of the best things you can do for yourself. It improves empathy, mental health, and various academic skills. Likewise, regular excercise is important lol. Striving to fight off obesity and have good muscle mass is a good thing. Can these things be pushed too far? Sure, but we should try to form healthy habits.
you are so smart and i can tell a lot of work went into the editing and script writing for this video, can't wait to see what you release next! (if you so desire, that is.)
just my little addition, but as someone who read a lot in my childhood due to not having anything else to do and very little money, now that i'm undeniably addicted to the internet i find myself feeling ashamed for not picking my hobby for reading back up. i find i am guilty of the "act bookish" aesthetic. it's almost like i forgot how to actually read and now i just have books in my house without ever reading them. not quite sure how to fix it but i think it involves reading if you want to, and not reading if you don't. if those people are forcing themselves through rory gilmore's reading list, it's unlikely they will return to the hobby for real because it's not actually fun if you're just pretending!!!
sorry for the long comment, this is just something that has been on my mind for years now and i love that you have made such a succinct yet in-depth essay on the topic!! it was just lovely (*^o^*)
Aw thank you this is so nice!! :)
I'm of two minds here. On the one hand, fakery is never a good color and reducing reading to status is dicey. On the other hand, if books and reading have this cachet, then a certain number of the people buying books and surrounding themselves with bookish things will actually open the books and begin to read, and as many readers can attest, once you open a book, the book has the opportunity to open you.
I read ebooks and listen to audiobooks on my phone through digital libraries because I can’t afford new books or even used books at the amount I read and I have a hard time getting through physical copies. If I did have physical books, my shelves would be lined with at least 50 books on history, politics, and indigenous history/culture but I sacrifice the aesthetic for actually getting to consume the books. But also the only reason I’m able to consume so many books is because I’m allowed to listen to audiobooks at work. Reading is an privilege that sometimes comes at the sacrifice of the aesthetic if you actually care about it
Would everything we do be scrutinized if social media wasn’t so prevalent? Would we even go to such lengths to project and distort others views of ourselves? The truth is that reading and reading literacy are on the decline and that is a really bad thing.
maybe someone reading in public can return to just someone reading in public and it not having any morality attached to it.
I enjoyed this video :-) it for sure provides some food for thought
I feel like Gilmore Girls makes it very clear that Rory’s “bookishness” wasn’t enough because in her senior year she realized this and had a freak out where she tried to make connections and join additional extracurriculars. She also knew that a school like Chilton would give her an upper hand. I think she ultimately felt that there was no shame in using her connections unlike Lorelai, and that’s meant to show differences in their character. Rory will accept help more readily than her mother who prides herself on hard work, and she is also more hard working and self reliant than her grandparents. It’s meant to show the way that both her mother and her grandparents have an effect and impact on who she is.
Very interesting video, glad youtube served it up to me, but with the discussion on "owning" books to look bookish, I would've liked to have seen a discussion of the role of public libraries in a digital age as borrowing from them won't necessarily project your bookishness as thoroughly as owning a book outright. Also, could you consider adding links or DOIs to the references in your description? Thank you for adding them and it's obviously not too difficult for me to google the ones I'm interested in, but it would be convenient for anyone interested lol
u make an interesting point abt the libraries
Just added the links! And really interesting point! :))
I see having physical books as like having music on vinyl, where it just adds another layer and ritual to the experience that in my opinion promotes mindfulness and presence. It also creates a more physical connection to the art that we love. You can look at a photo on your phone, but printing it out and hanging it feels like a greater expression of appreciation.
I love my e-reader and I love getting free books on it from my library.
'May I never be perfect. Maybe self-improvement isn't the answer, maybe self-destruction is the answer. The lower you fall, the higher you'll fly.'
This was very well put together! I SO wish that the same love for physical books could be extended to other forms of physical media as well.
I don't know what kind of videos you're posting in the future but if they are anything like this one I'M IN ✨️✨️
Got a couple more on this topic in the works!!
Christi and I watched this and we loved it 🥺💖 You're so smart pls make more🙈
omg!!!
holy shit amelia who are you and where did you come from and why is this so good. i feel like i've been waiting for this video for like two years without even knowing
20 likes is criminal
omg THANK YOU this is so nice !!
Such an enjoyable watch !!
Super cool video with compelling editing and arguments. Subscribed!
At 9:15 I was honestly shocked by the lack of responsibility, patience and interest she shows for so many book. This is so sad, and disrespectful of the author and ressources used to make the books.
Your video was really interesting ❤
Interesting take! That clip makes me think about the wealth inequality that makes it harder for people who want to buy books they actually like to be able to do that. While the ultra-wealthy (not sure if she's in this category, but she is certainly way more than just comfortable financially) can afford things they don't even want or need, while also hoarding the resources everyone else needs to live. By focusing on the bookish faking, it feels like we're side-stepping the issue of resources. Is Ashley Tisdale herself hurting anyone by buying a bunch of books? Or is the problem that so few have so much, while the rest of us struggle? I'm so grateful the library still exists, it's one of the only equalizing institutions left. Support your libraries! Especially since so many of our houseless neighbors access services there, and things are about to get even harder for the most marginalized communities. It's totally fine to feel annoyed or angry at the phenomenon of bookish fakery, I just want us to save our ire for those who'd watch us all starve as they destroy the earth (billionaires). Who does it benefit to police people's authenticity in their hobbies? Especially since women seem to be the common targets for the "faking bookishness" accusation.
As a book reader, I do not feel the urge to post my outfit on the internet.
Excellent video Amelia!! Fascinating perspective, and a flawless execution! Wonderful!
I think that the main reason ebooks stopped being popular is because their prices have quickly increased to the point where they couldn't compete with paperbacks.
Also, access to them depends on fallible devices and also mainstream stores force DRM.
Physical books started competing by more decorative physical books and also discounts and free shipping became a thing, and at the same time, there's a clear opposition in publishing industry to treating ebooks as much more affordable option.
Book industry has deliberately suppressed ebooks.
I highly recommend checking out John B. Thompson’s “Book Wars”! His research on this subject is really excellent :)
Extremely interesting and insightful! I definitely have experienced this subculture to a certain degree, although I guess it would be more prevalent on upper class and first world societies that in others that are as detached from books as a whole as they are from many of humanities advancements and knowledge.
Great video! You have a talent for this sort of essay.
It's not the virtue that's the problem - it's the signaling.
LOVE!
“It was the 2010s. People were wearing owl necklaces…” 😂😂 this was great. Your humor is sublime. 💫
As a life long reader I’ve never understood the fake book thing. If you care enough about looking like an intellectual, why don’t you buy real books and actually read them and become an intellectual? 😅
Well done!
Very cool video.
Great video! I also think there's something to be said about the genre of book that is typically read/associated with on booktok - they're near exclusively smut books that hinge on fanfiction tropes. Very far from the classics associated with 'true' bookishness, but they still seem to be used as a symbol of intellect merely through the fact it is a book. (Not that there's anything wrong with those books, but it is interesting how the identity of being a reader has shifted so much that you don't need to know anything about the literary canon in order to adopt it.)
Top tier video essay 💖
i love this
I LOVEEEEEE
Awesome awesome video
great video!!
Man, this is so interesting and intellectual that becomes almost hot🤷🏻♂️ Keep up with it!
What's the difference from reading an article and listening to a video essay?
fire
If completing the Rory Gilmore list imparts on you Rory Gilmore’s morals then I am afraid we are all at risk of becoming conceited, classist, self-serving adulterers.
nice video. i do think it's a bit silly to be overly concerned about this stuff. i dont care if someone fakes bookishness. in my opinion the greater harm is accusing people of being fake based on surface appearance at most. does someone really need to prove they are a reader because all they post about are Rory Gilmore outfits? is it really abnormal that an actress who makes art for a living is interested in other forms of art? besides, faking it a little, as a source of motivation, is normal. if someone is faking it too much, leave it to their close circle to make that observation to them, i dont need to assume it from a distance.
TLDR;
READING MAKES YOU HOT - emma chamberlain
“By pinning one of Rory Gilmore’s outfits, people can proclaim a nearness to books without actually reading one.”
This seems very far fetched.. let people enjoy books or outfits without having to ‘form an intellectual appearance’
this video was great, but it maybe could have used more ice spice
I'll keep that in mind
It could also be that I can't fucking stand staring at a screen and reading for hours on end?