David Graeber & Slavoj Zizek on what your bookshelf says about you

Summary

The speaker reminisces about childhood visits to the library, where they were drawn to the spines of books rather than their contents. They express a belief that physical books hold an irreplaceable role in showcasing one's personality and intellectual depth to visitors, a function that electronic books cannot replicate. The conversation touches on the idea of books as a form of self-expression and social authentication, suggesting that the presence or absence of books can quickly convey an individual's intellectual level.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker used to visit the library frequently but was more interested in the spines of books than reading them.
• 🏠 The speaker mentions having many books at home but admits to not opening them often.
• 🔍 The speaker believes that e-books cannot replace physical books due to the tactile experience and presence they provide.
• 🛁 Reading physical books in a bathtub is mentioned as an activity that's more challenging with e-books.
• 🤔 There's a philosophical point made about the role of books as a reflection of one's personality and intellectual interests.
• 👀 The speaker suggests that books serve as a form of self-expression, allowing visitors to gauge the owner's character.
• 📚 The concept of 'books as furniture' is introduced, implying that books can be used as a decorative element to convey a certain image.
• 🧐 The speaker jokes about the idea of 'baring one's soul' through the books one chooses to display.
• 📚 The speaker contrasts the intellectual image of someone with many books with the speaker's own lack of books, humorously calling themselves a 'barbarian'.
• 🤝 There's an underlying message about the balance between the aesthetic and practical aspects of owning books.

Q & A

What did the speaker do at the library as a child?

The speaker used to visit the library with their mother after school, but instead of reading the books, they read the spines.

Why does the speaker not open books often at home?

The speaker has many books at home but admits to not opening them very often, suggesting a possible preference for the aesthetic or symbolic value of books over their content.

What is the speaker's opinion on e-books versus physical books?

The speaker believes that e-books can never replace physical books, emphasizing the tactile and visual experience of physical books.

Why does the speaker think physical books are important for showing one's personality?

The speaker suggests that physical books serve as a form of self-expression, allowing visitors to infer the owner's interests and personality from the books they choose to display.

What is the concept of 'books as furniture' mentioned by the speaker?

The term 'books as furniture' refers to the idea that books can be used as decorative elements in a home, serving as a form of personal branding or intellectual display.

How does the speaker view the act of displaying books in one's home?

The speaker views displaying books as a way of 'bearing one's soul' and sharing one's intellectual level with others.

What is the speaker's stance on the privacy of one's reading habits?

The speaker implies that the privacy of one's reading habits is more difficult to maintain with digital formats, as it's easier to scan someone's bookshelf than their digital library.

What does the speaker mean by 'Russell is the big intellectual'?

This is a hypothetical scenario where someone named Russell is considered an intellectual because they have a full bookshelf, contrasting with the speaker who has no books behind them.

What is the implication of being a 'true barbarian' in the context of the script?

The term 'true barbarian' is used humorously to describe someone who does not have any books, suggesting a lack of intellectual depth or cultural refinement.

What is the speaker's view on the balance between physical and digital books?

The speaker acknowledges that there is a balance between the two, recognizing the practicality of digital books while still valuing the presence and impact of physical books.

How does the speaker feel about the idea of having no books visible in one's home?

The speaker seems to find the idea amusing but also critical, as it suggests a lack of intellectual curiosity or cultural engagement.