The article discusses the evolving perception of reading in public, highlighting the rise of 'performative reading,' where individuals signal their literary taste rather than genuinely enjoying a book. It reflects on the mockery faced by those who choose to read casually in public spaces, suggesting this phenomenon is tied to societal expectations of personal branding. The author argues that innocent pleasures, like solo reading, now invite scrutiny and judgment, reflecting a troubling intersection between genuine hobbies and cultural performance.
Performative reading is not just about pretending to read but signaling to everyone around that one possesses the taste for physical books and literary merit.
The phenomenon of mocking those who read in public suggests a cultural shift where even innocent hobbies face scrutiny under the lens of personal branding.
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