Reading habit

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In 2003 I went to Indonesia for few weeks. And the first thing I noticed is - the non existance of book reading in public. I even made a good $150 bet to someone. If he/she could spot someone reading a book anywhere that would earn him/her $150 (+/1 Rp 1000 000) no question ask. Until I flew away 2 weeks later no one claimed the money. I thought they just ignored my challenge, but apperantly they did not. They just could not find one. 
Than one of the Indonesian online daily published a short article that stated - that the best selling book in Indonesia only managed to sell 80 000 copies (Eighty thousands). 80 000 out of 240 000 000 is sign of a disaster.
You don't believe me? Go there yourself. Say not a word but just ride around with the bus, with taxi or trains. Or just walk around will do fine. Miracles do happen you know. Who knows you may see a miracle yourself. Oh btw,you can use it with any place that claim as muslims or Islam, anywhere that is.
Happy spotting.

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nothing Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 November 2008 Location: Andorra Status: Offline Points: 416	Post Options Post Reply Quote nothing Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Reading habit Posted: 03 December 2008 at 1:50pm
	In 2003 I went to Indonesia for few weeks. And the first thing I noticed is - the non existance of book reading in public. I even made a good $150 bet to someone. If he/she could spot someone reading a book anywhere that would earn him/her $150 (+/1 Rp 1000 000) no question ask. Until I flew away 2 weeks later no one claimed the money. I thought they just ignored my challenge, but apperantly they did not. They just could not find one. Than one of the Indonesian online daily published a short article that stated - that the best selling book in Indonesia only managed to sell 80 000 copies (Eighty thousands). 80 000 out of 240 000 000 is sign of a disaster. You don't believe me? Go there yourself. Say not a word but just ride around with the bus, with taxi or trains. Or just walk around will do fine. Miracles do happen you know. Who knows you may see a miracle yourself. Oh btw,you can use it with any place that claim as muslims or Islam, anywhere that is. Happy spotting.

Chrysalis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 November 2007 Status: Offline Points: 2033	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chrysalis Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 December 2008 at 10:42am
	Actually, I think the reason is because 1. not many are literate 2. commute is short 3. roads are probably bumpy/uneven tht reading gives u a headache (happens to me in pak) 4. not many can afford books? older generations probably cannot afford to, younger ones have ipods. need i say more? 5. ppl in most muslim countries, a trend i noticed....are more private, and like to enjoy thier hobbies indoors...even reading...rather than in a park or cafe.... 6. ppl not that lonely. . . so dont really 'need' to go out n read in public, cz hav nothing to do (like in west) 7. demographics? too many mouths to feed...no money/time to spend on books. 8. Maybe most of the book sales are 'pirated' hence not 'recorded', many ppl in developing nations can afford pirated books only, and they obviously r not o record. 9. ppl actually have time to relax and read at home...so dont need to catch up on reading 'inbetween' commuting or on it - unlike some hectic schedule countries....
	"O Lord, forgive me, my parents and Muslims in the Hereafter. O Lord, show mercy on them as they showed mercy to me when I was young."

nothing Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 November 2008 Location: Andorra Status: Offline Points: 416	Post Options Post Reply Quote nothing Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 December 2008 at 4:24pm
	There are two points that I agree with your analysis namely no:6 and no:7. I like to highlight the others, yours are in blue. 1. not many are literate You mean they can't read? I really doubt that. With the availabality of mobile phone itself is prove that they can read. 2. commute is short I used intercity trains few times and I walk from one end to the other, could not see any. 4. not many can afford books? older generations probably cannot afford to, younger ones have ipods. need i say more? Impossible, because the staggering gap of population and the number of books sold. 240 millions against 80 000 is huge gap. 5. ppl in most muslim countries, a trend i noticed....are more private, and like to enjoy thier hobbies indoors...even reading...rather than in a park or cafe.... I did not visit many people houses, so yes I don't know really. 8. Maybe most of the book sales are 'pirated' hence not 'recorded', many ppl in developing nations can afford pirated books only, and they obviously r not o record. It is very expensive exercise to pirate books because those books need to be delivered across the country. Maybe on small scale and local area. But that can't justify the 240 000 000 against 80 000. Also, book readers tend to visit book store on regular basis. As soon as the book available they bought it. There is no time for the pirate deliver the products to feed the hungry buyers. It can be done with software piracy. 9. ppl actually have time to relax and read at home...so dont need to catch up on reading 'inbetween' commuting or on it - unlike some hectic schedule countries.... Maybe, but I have very much doubt that this is the case.

Chrysalis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 November 2007 Status: Offline Points: 2033	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chrysalis Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 December 2008 at 11:02am
	Just something to add about Pirated Books . . .its a HUGE industry. Speaking from experience myself, (whr im from). They are RAMPANT. i'd say in a class of 40, chances are 38 use pirated. Its actually pretty cheap...and very rampant. An original copy costs something like 500-800 bucks - whereas a pirated u can get for 30 bucks. Students prefer that, cz dont hav endless cash I have even seen book-crazies waiting for the pirated version to come out, and these ppl could afford it!. They were Harry Potter maniacs...and still got the pirated versions . . . rather than running off to the store and buying one. . . they preferred to wait. . . . I think that regular book store goers or 'buyers' in developing countries is a minority . . .a privelage not many can afford/enjoy.
	"O Lord, forgive me, my parents and Muslims in the Hereafter. O Lord, show mercy on them as they showed mercy to me when I was young."