Reluctant Adult…? Ha!
by amberbenson on Feb.16, 2010, under Anton Strout and Amber Benson
I like to think that reading, in general, makes me a reluctant adult–and thank God for that. The connotation that ‘being an adult’ carries is so unappealing to me: it implies a lack of imagination that is frightening. Look, I don’t mind being responsible for my actions and all that jazz we associate with growing up and becoming a functioning member of society, but I don’t ever want to lose the use of my imagination. It’s the thing that has kept me sane and reasonably content as I’ve navigated my way through life. Really, it’s one of the most important tools I possess.
Do I believe reading Science Fiction and Fantasy makes me even more of a reluctant adult…the answer is no. I think some of the most thoughtful and literate writing today is being done within these genres. Because the use of metaphor is rife in these works, an author can speak about very prescient and important political/social issues without getting on a soap box and preaching to their audience. I’ve given more hours of thought to Stranger In A Strange Land than if I ‘d just gotten out the Bible and read (the very dry) Jesus mythology first hand.
Reading Science Fiction and Fantasy forces me to stretch my imagination–and sometimes it encourages me to think about the world I live in and my place within it. Does it make me an adult? Probably not. Does it make me a more thoughtful person? Damn straight it does.
Related posts:
- Are you a reluctant adult? We’re off and running with a brand new topic. Does reading science fiction and fantasy make you a “reluctant adult”? What about the authors working in these genres? Should these “reluctant adults” tackle “serious literature” instead? How’s that for a loaded question? ...
- Anton Strout- Proudly a Reluctant Adult Welcome to the Amber and Anton hour, err two week, at Babel Clash. *slips Babel Fish in ear* First and foremost, I’d like to thank Borders and Morgan for inviting us. Amber promised this would be as good a place as any to harass me, but she’s such a sweetie,...
- More and more reluctanter Following up on what it means to be a reluctant adult, Carolyn Crane asked: Where exactly did the name of Reluctant Adults come from? Was it meant from the start as a counterpoint to serious literature? My livejournal was where I had first used the name the League of Reluctant...
- Wrapping up another round Amber and Anton, thank you for contributing to our discussion on Babel Clash. Please take this opportunity with your last couple of posts to share any information with us that you’d like regarding Cat’s Claw and Dead Matter. Also, please feel welcome to share any news regarding other upcoming projects....
February 16th, 2010 on 2:31 pm
wow that’s quite insightful, and it kinda explains alot about myself
February 16th, 2010 on 5:40 pm
James, I find that some of the brightest people I know are secret (and not so secret) Sci-fi/Fantasy fans.
February 16th, 2010 on 6:22 pm
Amber, what a great post. And interesting question on reading and sff, and being a reluctant adult.
Before I was an adult, whenever I wasn’t reading, I was generally plotting how I could steal away with a book. And the best time to me was reading and just being in the world of a book and nothing else mattered and nobody would bother me.
As an adult reader, I think that my reading experience, when its at its best, is just that. But partly, I think I’m trying to work my way back to it.
February 16th, 2010 on 6:52 pm
I agree with that. I’ve been a Sci-fi/fantasy fan since I was a little kid. I can remember almost everything about any movie, book, or game I’ve invested time in. Hell i havn’t played DND in 10+ years but i can tell ya that i remember every about it(that sounded really sad didn’t it.)
well my point being when I was in school while everyone else was studying i was reading star wars and anne rice novels. Don’t get me wrong I love learning about new things but only if they are interesting to me which alot of it didn’t.
February 16th, 2010 on 7:58 pm
Reluctant Adult? Reluctant in the sense that every morning the weight of my world - sitting squarely upon my shoulders, forces my breath out in heaving sighs and moves me forward with shuffling feet? Yes. I suppose I am reluctant to face each day. What human being isn’t? If something can provide a temporary escape from that, I’m so down for it. I adore sci-fi and fantasy for this reason. I think we all are reluctant adults once we realize what being an “adult” entails. I mean, that lack of responsibility and obligations with complete freedom of imagination is what makes childhood so magical.
I believe it was Goethe that once said “You know nothing and you are nothing. And you know that not to be and not to have - gives immeasurable freedom.” That is what the escapism of Sci-Fi/Fantasy provides for me and many others - immeasurable freedom. So, reluctant? Yeah. I do believe so. I hope this makes sense to someone.
February 17th, 2010 on 4:33 am
You go, Amber! ‘Damn straight it does!’
February 17th, 2010 on 12:43 pm
Unfortunately society at large seems to tell us you have to lose your imagination and creativity to become an adult.
I think the world would be better off we turned that around and remembered to play more… and say “Hell yes, I’m still a kid (if only at heart). I think there would be less anger in the world and many more people happy with their lives.
Books can transport you to another place and time where you can shed your daily worries for a short time and often gain strength to face the next challenge.
Hope no one minds this reference; but Kevin Carroll was the Creative Director at the height of Nike’s success and has since become a “Katalyst” for using play of childhood to maximize your success and creativity in adulthood. He has a few books out in a series beginning with the “Rules of the Red Rubber Ball”.
Anton and Amber thanks for being reluctant adults - you obviously have found your “red rubber ball” to inspire you! There are more of us than we know and I for one want keep one foot firmly planted in play!