Leave it up to the National Post to put a review of this so-called “book” in the arts section. The story, albeit a few weeks old now, was sent to me by a co-worker.

This isn’t a rant about genre or culture.

This is a rant about the misuse of fame. Kanye West releases something he calls a book — though more of a pamphlet from what I discern from the article — and tells the world: “I am a proud non-reader of books. I like to get information from doing stuff like actually talking to people and living real life.”

So everything he knows — at least, wants to know — is derived from what he learns in a narrow social context, and from talking to people? And he’s are encouraging the idea of an aural culture? Like pre-history aural culture? Or what? Mr West, clear that up for us would you. (Try to end the confusion. I wouldn’t want to paraphrase you incorrectly.)

The funny thing about books is that they hold a lot more information than we as humans can ever really hope to retain in our little brains. Do I need evidence to back that up? Readers should go ahead and recite to me from rote memory the last two novels they read while I go look for some research.

I wonder if it ever occurs to these folks that they are abusing their fame and celebrity in defense of ignorance, widening the gap of knowledge and understanding within their fan base, and generally lowering the bar of society and art (which I assume they hold dear) not to mention science and innovation.

I’m thinking that if everyone were to adopt a similar attitude towards the general acquisition of knowledge as does Mr. West, we as a society would quickly descend into a fairly banal state of exsitence. Heck, forget the progressive and stepwise achievement of most every kind of science, culture, art, innovation, philosophy and political stripe we’d achieved as a species and instead let’s bank on making it up anew as we churn our way through life. I just hope we remember to tell each other the details at the next party.