"Performative reading" Is not a real thing and people who think it is are extremely insecure, amirite?

You remember when Lebron pretended to read that Malcolm X book and was basically on the first page of it every time he was recorded doing it? Yes, performative reading exists.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I wouldn't call that performative reading, that's just another case of celebrities/influencers trying to improve their public image. If you're just a random nobody riding the train to their average job then who would you be trying to be impress?

by felicity49 4 days ago

I just don't get what regular people would have to gain from that? It's not like they're shoving the book in peoples faces or forcing people to start a dialogue with them. I enjoy reading cause its a good way to take my mind off the world and my eyes off a screen. Maybe a small minority of performative readers do exist, but its not like I'm going to look at a random guy reading Camus in public and immediatly assume that they're doing it for attention.

by felicity49 4 days ago

I just don't get what regular people would have to gain from that? Well the same thing they would get from other performative actions. They want to signal that they are part of some in-group or project particular image of being an intellectual, having specific cultural awareness, or just specific lifestyle.

by Queasy_Weight 4 days ago

Accusing regular people just going about their lives of performative reading is weird, but performative reading is definitely a thing that happens

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I did it as a teenager due to some massive insecurities and a severe lack of social interaction

by Anonymous 4 days ago

WTH is performative reading?

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Waiting rooms, queues and public transportation without a book= the special hell. Waiting rooms, queues and public transportation WITH a book= unexpectedly delightful time to read. Anyone who says otherwise is just jealous they didn't bring a book. Sounds like a them problem.

by Moist-Appointment 4 days ago

I read Dostoevsky using Kindle on my phone so I can tell people I'm watching chemtrail videos.

by Few-Expression 4 days ago

Not just reading in public. I think it's meant to describe people who carefully choose what they read in public in order to present the image they want. Kind of like people who put all their "smart" books on the bookshelf in the living room to impress guests and keep the stuff they really read (if they do) somewhere out of sight. Still stupid and who really cares, though.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Well, I could be wrong, but I believe performative reading is an old, old wooden ship that was used during the Civil War era.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

It's not that they can't fathom enjoying a book. They know people do, but they also acknowledge that some people want the "image of a reader." It definitely is a real thing, and it's sort of strange to me how many readers get overly insulted (like you, for example) at the suggestion even though it's fairly obvious. Also, performative reading doesn't mean reading for the sole purpose of the performance. You can simultaneously enjoy reading and also be into the performance of it---as in you want to be seen doing it in public.

by danielrusty 4 days ago

I have seen the claims ALL public readers do it for attention, im fine with the idea that a SMALL minority does it, but the overall majority just loves reading and never even considered others at all

by PerspectiveLow4759 4 days ago

I don't find the implication insulting per se, but I really dislike it because it makes me a lot more self conscious when I'm reading in public, lol. I recently started a Bill Bryson book at a cafe, realized it was nonsense, and gave up on it pretty early on--but then I spent the next half hour feeling like I might have looked like I was trying to be performative. It does make me more nervous about reading in public.

by Global_Fisherman 4 days ago

Nah just own it! Nothing wrong with reading a series written for a different age group. The only people who will judge you are non readers or snobby readers and who cares what they think?

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I do it a lot. So its real

by No_Leather_3516 4 days ago

Eh, I actually agree. Maybe some people just don't understand being able to consciously read in a public setting, so they just assume those people do it just to do it for show. I get so distracted with my environment that I cannot fathom paying attention to the book, but also I don't tend to use my phone or listen to music in public so lol

by Anonymous 4 days ago

lol clearly you haven't see Grimes' performative reading pics

by Technical-Beat-6853 4 days ago

I did know a guy who would sometimes arrive early to coffeeshop dates and settle in with an impressive book purely in hopes it would create a first impression of him as some kind of intellectual.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Yeah...I went to school with someone who read Mein Kampf, specifically in the classroom of a Jewish teacher, just to get reactions from people. Performative reading does exist. Also, that guy was an incredible POS.

by FrequentBeautiful 4 days ago

I'd imagine it's as much of a thing as changing the music when some of e can tell what you're listening to.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I read on the train but it's on my phone. Like, I'm not lugging my bookshelf around

by Practical-Bar 4 days ago

It's definitely a real thing, but it's NOWHERE near as common as some people apply.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I mean... buying intentionally werid book covers to prank strangers and hide what you are actually reading is a thing...

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I used to do it on the T. Even wore fake reading glasses. My punishment is now needing real reading glasses so I can doomscroll.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I don't think that has ever happened and you're inventing a fictional scenario.

by felicity49 4 days ago

I saw people around me scrolling ao3 mid-eras tour so while no, I did not physically witness anyone reading a physical book, I did witness at least one person reading fanfiction, which I'm counting as reading because it is

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Some peoples whole life is performative, especially Americans. I think youre underestimating how shallow and pathetic people can be.

by Embarrassed-Risk 4 days ago

did you talk to them or just immediately assume they were doing it for attention without any cause or reason?

by felicity49 4 days ago

If I read something challenging I would do it at home to not get disturbed.

by ricardo86 4 days ago

It definitely is a real thing, I mean performative anything at this point is becoming more and more popular with how much people value how they're percieved now. I don't think it's fair to assume everyone who reads is performative, but I feel like it's silly to assume people don't do it for the sake of looking a certain way in the eyes of others. It's the same reason the likes of fashion trends exist.

by mckaylalesch 4 days ago

15 years ago id say this is bs, today 100% performative

by West_Violinist3293 4 days ago