How many seasons Vampire Diaries will go on for?

[Greg Cox]

^ I suppose it's encouraging that the teens are reading, and yet, I find this statistic terribly sad.

Why? What's wrong with the people reading vampire novels?

I assume, since you're on this board, I assume you have no problem with people reading science fiction, STAR TREK novels, and comic books?

 

[A beaker full of death]

^ I suppose it's encouraging that the teens are reading, and yet, I find this statistic terribly sad.

Why? What's wrong with the people reading vampire novels?

It bothers me that teen vromance is the most popular genre in the country. Adults should be reading. Adult books should be read.

I assume, since you're on this board, I assume you have no problem with people reading science fiction, STAR TREK novels, and comic books?

Bubble gum is fine - I've read plenty of it myself. And sometimes, though nowhere near most of the time, these categories far surpass "bubble gum." But I am concerned by the increasing illiteracy of our nation (that is to say, the lack of being well-read, rather than literal illiteracy (heh)). The increasing dearth of literariness in our popular media bothers me. Few in Hollywood today can even formulate a plot structure, let alone understand the concept of a dramatic hero. I know I'm a snob, but it just plain bugs me. People like to deride the writing talents of Gene Roddenberry and Stan Lee, but at least they knew how to write, and were well versed in literature, myth, history and philosophy. So many writers and editors today are shockingly ignorant of the basics of their trade, and we've grown a populace that can't even tell the difference.

I see it in my profession. So many of my peers today are are unable to write correctly, let alone well. If I throw a latin phrase at them they stare back in stunned silence. Sadly, many of these will end up ascending to the bench. Where are the Leaned Hands, the Oliver Wendell Holmeses, of this generation?

 

[Greg Cox]

^ I suppose it's encouraging that the teens are reading, and yet, I find this statistic terribly sad.

Why? What's wrong with the people reading vampire novels?

It bothers me that teen vromance is the most popular genre in the country. Adults should be reading. Adult books should be read.

I assume, since you're on this board, I assume you have no problem with people reading science fiction, STAR TREK novels, and comic books?

Bubble gum is fine - I've read plenty of it myself. And sometimes, though nowhere near most of the time, these categories far surpass "bubble gum."

Well, certainly everybody is in favor of increased literacy and superior writing and editing. But, realistically, people don't read great literature all the time. Detective novels, science fiction books, horror novels, and so on are always going to have a place, too. And go a long ways towards encouraging young people to make a lifelong habit of reading . . . .

But genre fiction is genre fiction. I don't think that science fiction is inherently better than vampire fiction, which is the vibe I'm getting from you. Lord knows I put the same amount of effort into my UNDERWORLD books as I do my STAR TREK and DC Comics stuff.

Don't get me wrong. I grew up on Marvel Comics and STAR TREK, too. But Roddenberry and Stan Lee aren't somehow more laudable than, say, BUFFY or TRUE BLOOD.

Vampire fiction is just as capable of surpassing "bubble gum" as any other genre.

Just look at the work of Kim Newman, Suzy McKee Charnas, etc.