h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I think I could defend some of these genres. Take 'Movies, novels, and even factual books about corporate takeovers, high-level business deals of all kinds, or even government manipulation.'

I suppose my test is 'Does this novel, film, non-fiction book tell us something important or even interesting about people and the world around us?"

In the case of the books and films about high level business deals, if they are telling us something about the attraction of power and the effect it has on people, and the dangers corporate greed might pose to society, then maybe they do something to educate and inform.

But I suspect there are lots of films and novels which both entertain and tell us something interesting about the world about us. to them.

Oh, I agree - good point. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with genre fiction. I can think of several detective story writers who used their genre to sharp purpose...

But we need to recognise the difference between writing to push buttons and writing to get somewhere. If only because they require different techniques and usually attract different audiences.

Oh, you reminded me: I'm trying to remember where George Mikes put that beautiful description of 'capitalist porn'. Oh, I know, it was in 'The Spy Who Died of Boredom'...

I can't find any excerpts from that section, but maybe you would enjoy these other quotes from the book:

http://workinghumor.com/quotes/boredspy.shtml

Mikes: The Hungarian Revolution's gift to Britain. I love his stuff.

See, I think he writes educationally - but very, very subversively. And it's lots of fun, at least I think so, and I hope you'll agree.