Comments on: Books and Music That Make You Dumb

By: Lucy

Lucy — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 20:25:49 +0000

Hopefully you will come to Liverpool soon
I went to see last years show in Blackpool but missed the end
for the last train. So Liverpool would be good. x

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 20:00:29 +0000

Also, the most intelligent people I know listen to the Unbearables.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:58:50 +0000

I was going to be all “cultural capital” and “correlation does not = causation”, but then I saw one of my favorite books is highest ranked, so I have to conclude that this list is entirely valid and without fault.

By: Giedre

Giedre — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:27:14 +0000

I haven’t read any of books in that list except having wanted to read “atlas shrugged” some miserable day when I feel too bored. I wasn’t too surprised however to see religious books at below average level, shows pretty much general tendencies in population. Sorry if someone finds it insulting, sigh…
Just I don’t think that books make people smarter or dumber, but that correlation is opposite: people like and pick books based on their intelligence level

By: whooshdemon

whooshdemon — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:48:56 +0000

Thanks to flapjack for the link to venn that tune!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:31:53 +0000

Dan Brown IS on the list as is Shakespeare who didn’t write books but plays.
I wholeheartedly agree with Single Serving Jack where is Arthur Conan Doyle?
Not many authors of children’s literature, Phillip Pullman, Alan Garner, Enid Blyton?
Only three books containing dragons – surely a mistake?!

I love C.S. Forester, although F Scott Fitzgerald can be a bit of a git.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:03:08 +0000

What happens if some of your fave books and music score high and others score low?
Does that mean I can choose whether I am dumb or smart?

By: essen

essen — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:34:51 +0000

I love Radiohead, but they suffer from the same problem as Macs in that most of the people I know who are keen on them are complete tosspots. Usually the same people as well.

As for the booklist… I’m upper-middle (would be higher but I’m a bit allergic to Gabriel Garcia Marquez. ‘Magical realism’ doesn’t do much for me)

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:12:19 +0000

It intrigues me, this list. As an English teacher, I am frequently told by students, ‘I hate reading.’ When I insist that they at least try to pick up something that weighs more than a menu for the local chinese takeout, they smile vaguely and inevitably ask the question – ‘What is going to make me smarter then?’ As if they only have this one chance to read.

We don’t have SAT scores here, but this list is going on my wall and I shall use it to psudo-scientifically recommend books. More helpful than you’d think, given questions like ‘what do you enjoy reading’ are usually met with glazed, confused stares.

I’m also ever thankful that Dan Brown doesn’t appear on the list – I swear, if I had a dollar for every student who asked whether or not it was a ‘true’ story… well…. I wouldn’t be teaching any more, that’s for sure!

By: Diana

Diana — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:43:34 +0000

Oh I adore Radiohead, Led Zeppelin….but I’m really into obscure alternative music too. None of them are on the list……..
Bjork
Jens Lekman
CSS
CocoRosie
Bat For Lashes
Yeah Yeah Yeah’s
Peter, Bjorn and John
Fiona Apple………….
Kate Bush

The list is ENDLESS!……………