Comments on: The books of Wal-Mart http://dangerousintersection.org/2006/10/02/the-books-of-wal-mart/ Human Animals at the Crossroads of Culture, Science, Religion and Media Mon, 22 Mar 2010 04:57:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: charleys http://dangerousintersection.org/2006/10/02/the-books-of-wal-mart/comment-page-1/#comment-41649 charleys Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:35:49 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=603#comment-41649 I never got the impression that the left-leaning intellectual set did their book shopping at Wal-Mart. At least I don't. Bill O'Reilly is probably a big seller with folks who might buy their books at Wal-Mart. Its been a while since I caught any of my right-wing born-again Christian acquaintances reading the NYT too... None the less, very interesting... I never got the impression that the left-leaning intellectual set did their book shopping at Wal-Mart. At least I don’t.

Bill O’Reilly is probably a big seller with folks who might buy their books at Wal-Mart.

Its been a while since I caught any of my right-wing born-again Christian acquaintances reading the NYT too…

None the less, very interesting…

]]> By: Erich Vieth http://dangerousintersection.org/2006/10/02/the-books-of-wal-mart/comment-page-1/#comment-19467 Erich Vieth Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:22:44 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=603#comment-19467 AvidCritc: If people would read better books, they might care more about people starving elsewhere in the world. Almost nothing I saw at Walmart even recognized that there was any country other than the United States. AvidCritc: If people would read better books, they might care more about people starving elsewhere in the world. Almost nothing I saw at Walmart even recognized that there was any country other than the United States.

]]> By: AvidCritic http://dangerousintersection.org/2006/10/02/the-books-of-wal-mart/comment-page-1/#comment-19463 AvidCritic Sat, 14 Jun 2008 02:12:39 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=603#comment-19463 Seriously? People are starving in the world and all we can talk about is the books at Walmart? This article gets a 1. Seriously? People are starving in the world and all we can talk about is the books at Walmart? This article gets a 1.

]]> By: Deb http://dangerousintersection.org/2006/10/02/the-books-of-wal-mart/comment-page-1/#comment-3927 Deb Mon, 09 Oct 2006 12:49:36 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=603#comment-3927 Having lived for years in a rural community that came to be dominated by Walmart, I think it is important what they carry on their bookshelves, and it does indeed act as a form of censorship. Walmart ran out nearly all the other stores in my community. Both other grocery stores closed. Most of the drug stores closed, the little bookstore moved and reopened as a part time operation on the owner's property. The town doesn't have a publically funded library even. Walmart pretty much has a monopoly over most things, including reading material. Yes, one could use the internet, provided you knew what you wanted to buy already or were willing to spend a lot or pay shipping. And as an avid reader, that is exactly what I did while I lived there (and am both pleased to say I donated 1,000 books to the privately funded public libary when I moved and ashamed of my rampant consumerism). So which came first, people who won't read anything but romance novels, bible stories, or fashion magazines or was it the place that limited people's reading to that. Walmart can stock their shelves the way they want, and we can try to refuse to buy there. But having to drive to the next county to buy groceries makes that hard. Is it too much to ask that sometimes Walmart do something that is good for the public rather than themselves? How about a 'superbook walmart'? Having lived for years in a rural community that came to be dominated by Walmart, I think it is important what they carry on their bookshelves, and it does indeed act as a form of censorship. Walmart ran out nearly all the other stores in my community. Both other grocery stores closed. Most of the drug stores closed, the little bookstore moved and reopened as a part time operation on the owner’s property. The town doesn’t have a publically funded library even. Walmart pretty much has a monopoly over most things, including reading material. Yes, one could use the internet, provided you knew what you wanted to buy already or were willing to spend a lot or pay shipping. And as an avid reader, that is exactly what I did while I lived there (and am both pleased to say I donated 1,000 books to the privately funded public libary when I moved and ashamed of my rampant consumerism). So which came first, people who won’t read anything but romance novels, bible stories, or fashion magazines or was it the place that limited people’s reading to that. Walmart can stock their shelves the way they want, and we can try to refuse to buy there. But having to drive to the next county to buy groceries makes that hard. Is it too much to ask that sometimes Walmart do something that is good for the public rather than themselves? How about a ’superbook walmart’?

]]> By: charlotte http://dangerousintersection.org/2006/10/02/the-books-of-wal-mart/comment-page-1/#comment-3896 charlotte Sun, 08 Oct 2006 23:25:55 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=603#comment-3896 I agree with Vic snobbery is unbecoming. There are many fine upstanding people who reads books from wal-mart, I would not dare call them trash. Meny are in white collar jobs. Books a thing of joy. If I could not read I think i'd die. When I see someone reading (anything) I'm glad for that person. Like I said,it's a joy to be able to read. I agree with Vic snobbery is unbecoming. There are many fine upstanding people who reads books from wal-mart, I would not dare call them trash. Meny are in white collar jobs.
Books a thing of joy. If I could not read I think i’d die. When I see someone reading (anything) I’m glad for that person. Like I said,it’s a joy to be able to read.

]]> By: Vic http://dangerousintersection.org/2006/10/02/the-books-of-wal-mart/comment-page-1/#comment-3859 Vic Sat, 07 Oct 2006 19:26:40 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=603#comment-3859 "I do agree though, that trashy people will buy trashy books". Jennifer, how terribly snobbish of you. One of the leading female writers of those "trashy books" is a woman by the name of Jackie Collins. You might be interested that all that trashy-ness that she's written has allowed her to be a part of a group called "Face The World Foundation". As a patron of FTWF Ms. Collins has contribuited not only money but talent and time. Below are just a few of the gifts this foundation/group has bestowed upon humanity. A Loving Spoonful believes that no one living with AIDS should live with hunger. Relying on over 170 volunteers and just 3 staff, their programs include: ‘A Fighting Chance’ provides infant formula to HIV+ mothers so that they won’t pass the virus to their baby through breast milk. Daily Meals delivers a week’s worth of frozen meals, along with fresh fruit and bread to clients who are homebound with AIDS. Easter’s Sunday cooks up two large group meals each month to fight the isolating effects of living with AIDS. Alternate Meals provides hot, high-protein/vitamin meals for clients who are essentially homeless in the Downtown Eastside. The Alzheimer Society Aunt Leah's Independent Lifeskills Society Avalon Recovery Society The list, as you might guess (or perhaps not with such a narrow view) is seemingly endless. Highbrow snobbery is quite unbecoming. Intellectual literature does not always equal genus as you have proven. “I do agree though, that trashy people will buy trashy books”.

Jennifer, how terribly snobbish of you. One of the leading female writers of those “trashy books” is a woman by the name of Jackie Collins. You might be interested that all that trashy-ness that she’s written has allowed her to be a part of a group called “Face The World Foundation”. As a patron of FTWF Ms. Collins has contribuited not only money but talent and time. Below are just a few of the gifts this foundation/group has bestowed upon humanity.

A Loving Spoonful believes that no one living with AIDS should live with hunger. Relying on over 170 volunteers and just 3 staff, their programs include:

‘A Fighting Chance’ provides infant formula to HIV+ mothers so that they won’t pass the virus to their baby through breast milk.

Daily Meals delivers a week’s worth of frozen meals, along with fresh fruit and bread to clients who are homebound with AIDS.

Easter’s Sunday cooks up two large group meals each month to fight the isolating effects of living with AIDS.

Alternate Meals provides hot, high-protein/vitamin meals for clients who are essentially homeless in the Downtown Eastside.

The Alzheimer Society
Aunt Leah’s Independent Lifeskills Society
Avalon Recovery Society

The list, as you might guess (or perhaps not with such a narrow view) is seemingly endless. Highbrow snobbery is quite unbecoming.

Intellectual literature does not always equal genus as you have proven.

]]> By: Mike Phillips http://dangerousintersection.org/2006/10/02/the-books-of-wal-mart/comment-page-1/#comment-3750 Mike Phillips Wed, 04 Oct 2006 19:45:52 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=603#comment-3750 Mr Vieth says.... """""""There weren’t any real surprises for me on this anthropological journey. My field trip to Wal-Mart bascially substantiated my suspicions. Here’s the bottom line. If you want to be well-rounded in your book-reading, don’t go to Wal-Mart. What concerns me the most is that many Wal-Mart shoppers probably don’t realize A) the narrowness of the Wal-Mart book selection or B) the importance of testing their long-held assumptions by exposing themselves to challenging new ideas.""""""" I Love it when Intellectual folk determine my intelectual interests with out speaking to me or actually asking those who he downgrades why they are where they are... I very seldom if ever buy a book in walmart... I am retired and on a small budget, so my purchases are, for the most part, off of "HALF.COM" where I can get almost any book published in the known world for up to 95% off of retail price.. Granted they might be a year old by the time I get to them.. SO WHAT.. the information is still there... Secondly the nearest "BOOK STORE" to me is slightly over 65 miles away and I just don't get that direction too often... and of course, If I want to KNOW what is going on in the world of literature.. all I have to do is log onto a blog such as yours and get all (YOU DO READ ALL BOOKS DON"T YOU, NOT JUST THOSE THAT AGREE WITH YOUR POLITICAL BENT)..the information that I need.. NO need to read them, you will tell me what I need to learn. your remark that """""""What concerns me the most is that many Wal-Mart shoppers probably don’t realize A) the narrowness of the Wal-Mart book selection""""""" shows your ignorance of people.... Just because I am unable to shop neiman marcus does not mean I am ignorant.... The Wal-Mart nearest to me has one rack of books with (I would estimate) 200 Titles.. and I can just hear the shoppers as they whisper to each other.. "CAN YOU IMAGINE, THIS MANY BOOKS, WHO WOULD HAVE BELIEVED" I personally hate Wal-Mart.... but it is just amusing that one would take so much time and effort to debunk something that needed no debunking..... Mike Mr Vieth says….

“”"”"”"There weren’t any real surprises for me on this anthropological journey. My field trip to Wal-Mart bascially substantiated my suspicions. Here’s the bottom line. If you want to be well-rounded in your book-reading, don’t go to Wal-Mart. What concerns me the most is that many Wal-Mart shoppers probably don’t realize A) the narrowness of the Wal-Mart book selection or B) the importance of testing their long-held assumptions by exposing themselves to challenging new ideas.”"”"”"”

I Love it when Intellectual folk determine my intelectual interests with out speaking to me or actually asking those who he downgrades why they are where they are…

I very seldom if ever buy a book in walmart… I am retired and on a small budget, so my purchases are, for the most part, off of “HALF.COM” where I can get almost any book published in the known world for up to 95% off of retail price.. Granted they might be a year old by the time I get to them.. SO WHAT.. the information is still there…

Secondly the nearest “BOOK STORE” to me is slightly over 65 miles away and I just don’t get that direction too often… and of course, If I want to KNOW what is going on in the world of literature.. all I have to do is log onto a blog such as yours and get all (YOU DO READ ALL BOOKS DON”T YOU, NOT JUST THOSE THAT AGREE WITH YOUR POLITICAL BENT)..the information that I need.. NO need to read them, you will tell me what I need to learn.

your remark that “”"”"”"What concerns me the most is that many Wal-Mart shoppers probably don’t realize A) the narrowness of the Wal-Mart book selection”"”"”"” shows your ignorance of people…. Just because I am unable to shop neiman marcus does not mean I am ignorant…. The Wal-Mart nearest to me has one rack of books with (I would estimate) 200 Titles.. and I can just hear the shoppers as they whisper to each other.. “CAN YOU IMAGINE, THIS MANY BOOKS, WHO WOULD HAVE BELIEVED”

I personally hate Wal-Mart…. but it is just amusing that one would take so much time and effort to debunk something that needed no debunking…..

Mike

]]> By: Mike Phillips http://dangerousintersection.org/2006/10/02/the-books-of-wal-mart/comment-page-1/#comment-3749 Mike Phillips Wed, 04 Oct 2006 19:32:23 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=603#comment-3749 Gosh, Oh golly Gee....... I can't buy the NYT best seller books.. Why should I be able to.. They are NOT a book store, but a store that has some books.... When I want a book on the current NYT best sellers list, I will head for Amazon.com and purchase it, or hit my library that (for a town of 3200) does a very good job of keeping us supplied with books on both sides of the aisle , so to speak. I love Jennifers "Trashy people......." OR the obverse could be that "Snooty, Full of themselves People will only buy at Barnes and Noble" Gheesh.... Give us red necks a break.. Gosh, Oh golly Gee……. I can’t buy the NYT best seller books.. Why should I be able to.. They are NOT a book store, but a store that has some books…. When I want a book on the current NYT best sellers list, I will head for Amazon.com and purchase it, or hit my library that (for a town of 3200) does a very good job of keeping us supplied with books on both sides of the aisle , so to speak. I love Jennifers “Trashy people…….” OR the obverse could be that “Snooty, Full of themselves People will only buy at Barnes and Noble” Gheesh…. Give us red necks a break..

]]> By: thatedeguy http://dangerousintersection.org/2006/10/02/the-books-of-wal-mart/comment-page-1/#comment-3748 thatedeguy Wed, 04 Oct 2006 19:28:18 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=603#comment-3748 Um... if you're looking for a "well-rounded" book selection, why would'nt you go to a book store? Ever been to a barnes and noble? I think about 98% of people are aware that they exist and as such, they realize the narrowness of walmart's selection and go to a bookstore if walmart doesn't have what they want. If they aren't sure what they want, they probably go to a bookstore as well. Um… if you’re looking for a “well-rounded” book selection, why would’nt you go to a book store? Ever been to a barnes and noble? I think about 98% of people are aware that they exist and as such, they realize the narrowness of walmart’s selection and go to a bookstore if walmart doesn’t have what they want. If they aren’t sure what they want, they probably go to a bookstore as well.

]]> By: Jennifer http://dangerousintersection.org/2006/10/02/the-books-of-wal-mart/comment-page-1/#comment-3712 Jennifer Tue, 03 Oct 2006 13:11:42 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=603#comment-3712 Well, I'm in Ohio and I could have taken those photos at the Walmart right here in town. So I don't think there is much variance. I do agree though, that trashy people will buy trashy books. Walmart is the devil, imo. Well, I’m in Ohio and I could have taken those photos at the Walmart right here in town. So I don’t think there is much variance. I do agree though, that trashy people will buy trashy books. Walmart is the devil, imo.

]]>