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Feb 23, 2003 W.D. Howells, an American writer, once penned a thesis concerning "Novel Writing and Novel Reading". In it he discusses the difference between a "good" novel and what he calls a "romanticistic" piece. The worthy novel, he says, "endeavors to picture life just as it is, to deal with character as we witness it in living people..." This sort of novel he says, is the type that people enjoy and is the style that ought to be written. Regrettably, W.D. Howells wrote this essay in 1899, long before television. If he were living today he would witness a breed of amusement that he would regard as "romanticistic". The type of people he says, that read this, watch this, or listen to this are "people of weak and childish imagination, pleased with gross fables, fond of prodigies, heroes, heroines, portents and improbabilities." Huh. Howells has proven himself to be a sage, even if posthumously. The vast majority of Americans are consumed nightly by "romanticistic" entertainment. The great majority of Americans probably do not even know what Howells meant by "portents and improbablities". They do not know what is amiss with their entertainment. They do not understand how Joe Millionaire is not entirely as important as the debate over an Iraqi war. They don't understand how voting for the "American Idol" is a little less important than voting for their "American Representatives." Most people are content to get their news in a 30 minute capsule from Peter Jennings, or Tom Brokaw. Even then, they watch the nightly news as a buffer between Judge Judy and the Simpsons. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the Simpsons, particularly if you take the time to analyze just exactly what the Simpsons point is: social satire. Alas, I fear that this is not the case. I fear that most viewers are to be likened to Homer and few could be compared to Lisa. And do you know what I think? I think that the powers that be like it this way. The powers that be are happy with the "dumbing down" of America. There is a class division in the United States, but it has naught to do with money or with race or creed. It all has to do with EDUCATION. The educated see themselves as having a distinct advantage over the uneducated. They see that they are the truly great ones because of their knowledge. Their ability to analyze that synthesize information is what they consider to be paramount to their survival. The trained ability to hear or read or see something and evaluate it and then apply that evaluation to their life is what is the key to their success. It is what elevates them beyond the masses. They are right. And they don't like to share. Ask them to push for universal public College education and they would rather not. Why would they want to give up the distinct advantage that they have over the masses? This fact is the “dirty little secret” of true higher education. The educated truly feel that not all who seek education are worthy of it. They would rather that the masses consume their time with Joe Millionaire, Judge Judy, American Idol, and don’t forget Married By America. God forbid that people watch the Fox News Channel a news channel that allows people to think for themselves. The elites hate Fox News Channel for this very reason. It is though provoking. People aren’t told what to think. That fact, to them, is almost a fate worse than death. I hope that all who read this understand what I am trying to say. We commoners are only going to be able to have any influence on society if we become educated, and part of that education includes reading and watching things other than “mind numbing” nonsense. How many people reading this even know who W.D. Howells is? How many people reading this know who Simon Cowell is? Get my point? I didn't think so. Better hurry and get to your living room, I think I hear the "American Idol" theme song. Wesley Mills is a full time student and writing instructor at Empire State College in Rochester N.Y. He also does freelance editing and writing and has his own company, "Writng Resources" which helps writers of all genres to write better and also does "book doctoring" and editing of all types. Email Wesley Mills: wmills1@rochester.rr.com ------------ Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
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