Comments on: Stupid Lists http://www.girldetective.net/?p=529 Reading, Writing, Movies and Mothering in Minneapolis, Mostly Sat, 30 May 2026 01:24:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: kirk http://www.girldetective.net/?p=529&cpage=1#comment-6776 kirk Tue, 30 May 2006 18:50:32 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=529#comment-6776 The creators of such lists always defend themselves by saying "Well, it's not necessarily about dictating the best 100 whatevers of all-time, it's about generating discussion and healthy debate." I say it's all about selling more copies of their paper or magazine at checkout counters to a society who wants answers in easy-to-read bullet point format. I suppose there's nothing inherently bad about these lists, I'm just getting sick of 'em. The creators of such lists always defend themselves by saying “Well, it’s not necessarily about dictating the best 100 whatevers of all-time, it’s about generating discussion and healthy debate.”

I say it’s all about selling more copies of their paper or magazine at checkout counters to a society who wants answers in easy-to-read bullet point format.

I suppose there’s nothing inherently bad about these lists, I’m just getting sick of ‘em.

]]> By: Elle http://www.girldetective.net/?p=529&cpage=1#comment-6756 Elle Mon, 29 May 2006 08:53:00 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=529#comment-6756 When I came across a copy of Possession in a second-hand bookshop last year, I remembered reading about it in your blog and bought it. It's one of the best novels I've ever read. It didn't mark a watershed, but it made me think about my life choices a lot. Thank you! When I came across a copy of Possession in a second-hand bookshop last year, I remembered reading about it in your blog and bought it. It’s one of the best novels I’ve ever read. It didn’t mark a watershed, but it made me think about my life choices a lot. Thank you!

]]> By: Ruthie http://www.girldetective.net/?p=529&cpage=1#comment-6717 Ruthie Fri, 26 May 2006 12:20:44 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=529#comment-6717 I heard the list author interviewed on NPR. Interesting note is that the "judges" were well-respected authors and were asked to choose their top novel without any suggestion list or the like. Though I think there were only 12 or so votes for Beloved, it was a large # given that the variety of folks voting chose it out of any book they could choose. Mentioned as an example that J. Frantzen didn't have a book on the list, but that he was a voter. I agree, however, that there is limited value in such lists. I heard the list author interviewed on NPR. Interesting note is that the “judges” were well-respected authors and were asked to choose their top novel without any suggestion list or the like. Though I think there were only 12 or so votes for Beloved, it was a large # given that the variety of folks voting chose it out of any book they could choose. Mentioned as an example that J. Frantzen didn’t have a book on the list, but that he was a voter. I agree, however, that there is limited value in such lists.

]]>