this post was submitted on 03 Jan 2025
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[–] reallykindasorta@slrpnk.net 14 points 1 month ago

One argument the author didn’t cover is whether men (the cultural phenomenon/stereotype) might benefit from reading more than the typical woman.

For example, reading fiction has been shown to increase empathy across a fair number of studies. Just off the cuff I’d say that society socializes women to be more empathetically receptive than men, which, if true, could mean that reading might have an outsized impact on men compared to women who have other outlets for picking up the skill.

[–] frightful_hobgoblin@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

the “men don’t read fiction” discourse

I definitely think more about reading non-fiction than fiction. Last 35 books I've read were 20 non-fiction 15 fiction.

I just find it easier to find and latch on to ideas. People recommend non-fiction to me more often. Also, reading one non-fiction book will often lead to several more via the references, which never happens in fiction (except for the Dorian Gray to À rebours pipeline).

[–] psychothumbs@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

I just read this semi-autobiographical Jo Walton novel called Among Others that was written as a love letter to finding books through other books - you get the title of every book the sci-fi obsessed main character reads over the course of like 1979-1980.

[–] ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I stopped reading this article pretty quick, all I read is fiction lmao. Too much damn reality in reality, I need a break from it, not to read about more reality.

[–] psychothumbs@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

So you stopped before it got to the premise?

[–] ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Yup. "Men don't read fiction."

"Well I do, so false. Next."

[–] psychothumbs@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Haha even after that you didn't check the article? The premise is that the claims that men don't read fiction are greatly exaggerated!

[–] ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 1 month ago

Ah well good! I do read fiction, I sometimes read articles lol.

[–] unknowing8343@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I've been back to reading this past year. Started with fiction, and slowly realised I could extract more useful stuff with non-fiction.

I guess, movies already cover the "having fun" part generally, and women probably read more fiction because it's made by women, unlike movies.

[–] pumpkinseedoil@mander.xyz 1 points 1 month ago

I get the same feeling with movies so I'm just watching documentaries...