Knowledge is power. I’m sure we’ve all heard that line before. It’s clear then that non-fiction and useful forms of literature such as encyclopedias and maps are powerful.

If someone were to horde a huge collection of textbooks, including all the ones still in print, we may consider it a huge consolidation of power, where those who have access to this private library are more powerful than us common folk who can only afford to own so many books. Subscribers to JSTOR and Elsevier are quite lucky in this regard.

If that’s the case, then what about fiction? What about Stephen King? Shakespeare? The Great Gatsby? What about a huge library of snugly fireplace literature, best enjoyed with a hot beverage?

Perhaps owning a library of non fiction is to owning a library of fiction is what owning a hospital is to owning a gym?

  • viking@infosec.pub
    25·
    1 year ago

    Literature is only really powerful if you can apply the knowledge in some productive means. You can download the entirety of publications available on Elsevier, but will only ever be able to utilize a tiny fraction given time, skill, and education constraints. You might argue that having access to a host of literature and being able to distribute said power to people able to use it accordingly might make you powerful as well, but then again, you’re more of a mailman to the ones actually wielding the power. With the caveat that you could selectively restrict access.

    Fiction on the other hand has no real-life impact, but is easier to be understood by all, and might in turn spur you into action or inaction, channel creative energy, or at worst, allow you to pass time without boredom. Certainly a different level of power, but not to be dismissed either.

    • kava@lemmy.world
      32·
      1 year ago

      Fiction I think is much more important than non-fiction. It explores the human condition and the nature of reality. It’s been shown that people who read fiction more are more empathetic. The reason is clear - reading puts you in the mind of another. It allows you to visualize their perspective.

      This is not only good generally because empathy makes the world a better place, it’s even good in a machiavellian sense because the better you understand humans the better you can manipulate them.

      There’s a quote by Twain I believe where he says something like “Fiction is much more real than non-fiction. Reality doesn’t have to make sense, but fiction does”