topic Re: Bookcases in Community Chat

Bookcases

tototwo — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 13:01:50 GMT

One thing I've actually enjoyed about this whole pandemic thing is newscasters, celebrities, and others being interviewed from their homes. It's been fun to see inside their homes and sometimes I'm more interested in what's behind them than what they are saying.

What I've noticed is that a large percentage of interviewees have a bookcase behind them filled with books. Usually a white, full wall bookcase. Are all these people being interviewed at the same location? With the same white bookcase? Do the interviewees actually read all those books? Do they think it makes them look smart to be seen with large bookcases in their background?

Re: Bookcases

FrostyBabe1 — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 13:06:18 GMT

It's most likely a Zoom (or whatever platform they're using) background rather than their actual home. I've had to participate in a few Zoom meetings for my volunteer gig, and I pick a different background every time.

Re: Bookcases

Irish1210 — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 13:48:40 GMT

@tototwo This is an interesting post as I have had the same thoughts! I've also noticed that so many have "their" most recent book strategically placed on the white bookshelf behind them : )

I have always wanted full-wall bookcases in my home.......so watching these interviews has been a real teaser for me.

Re: Bookcases

Bhvbum — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 13:39:25 GMT

Those are legitimate bookcases because many of these folks have moved their computers to show other parts of the same room, you can tell they change the Books showing the covers. The kitchens are my favorite.

I'm over 2000 books read in "goodreads" but I only have about a dozen on a bookshelf. I get all mine either from the library or online from Amazon, or Chirp.

Re: Bookcases

tototwo — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 13:42:14 GMT

Good info, @FrostyBabe1 -- I've never "zoomed" so didn't know you could choose a background. Interesting.

Re: Bookcases

Jaspersmom — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 14:28:02 GMT

Gosh, I noticed exactly the same thing. Some of those bookcases are so neat that I want to start straightening up my house - LOL. And YES, I've seen several who have their books strategically placed for the viewers to see. I guess business is business.

Re: Bookcases

PamfromCT — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 14:32:43 GMT

I gravitate to two networks, and I can tell you that the people I see interviewed always have pretty much the same backdrops of bookcases. They are indeed their own backdrops, as they are all unique and consistent every time with the person being interviewed.

I find it endlessly interesting, and the contrast between a young journalist in the business and an older established journalist is interesting. Time and success is measured in the amount of books, it seems.

Kitchen interviews are interesting, as well. It seems vases of flowers or large bowls of fruit are ever-present.

Re: Bookcases

SoX — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 14:37:43 GMT

@Bhvbum wrote:
Those are legitimate bookcases because many of these folks have moved their computers to show other parts of the same room, you can tell they change the Books showing the covers. The kitchens are my favorite.

I'm over 2000 books read in "goodreads" but I only have about a dozen on a bookshelf. I get all mine either from the library or online from Amazon, or Chirp.

@Bhvbum My bookcase is not quite to the ceiling, but close. I've amassed upwards of 3,000 (actual) books over my lifetime ... so much so that I've filled another bookcase in my basement. So yes, people do read ... and in my case, cannot bear to part with favorites.

Re: Bookcases

akaburtonfan — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 14:40:33 GMT

I often find my myself zoning out while watching these type of interviews because I'm so busy trying to read the titles on the books on the shelves in the background. I sometimes wonder if they've actually read all of them or if they're just there to look good. I also like when a person who is frequently interviewed moves to differ locations in their home.

Re: Bookcases

BlueFinch — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 14:59:42 GMT

Avid readers of a certain age -- you know, before everything went electronic, have extensive book collections. I'm one of those, too.

However, I've been downsizing my collection. I'm keeping two large cases of special books including some signed works (a favorite, Fevre Dream, signed by George R.R. Martin), but I now have some moving boxes full in my garage ready for donation this coming year.

I decided that if I become ill, or worse, I don't want others to have to deal with moving books. It's a lot of work. So, I'm into my Kindle for future reads now, but nothing will ever replace the feeling of the physical book in my hand, or the desire to collect them.

Re: Bookcases

Melzie — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 14:56:59 GMT

@tototwo wrote:
One thing I've actually enjoyed about this whole pandemic thing is newscasters, celebrities, and others being interviewed from their homes. It's been fun to see inside their homes and sometimes I'm more interested in what's behind them than what they are saying.

What I've noticed is that a large percentage of interviewees have a bookcase behind them filled with books. Usually a white, full wall bookcase. Are all these people being interviewed at the same location? With the same white bookcase? Do the interviewees actually read all those books? Do they think it makes them look smart to be seen with large bookcases in their background?
.

You are spot on! Just yesterday I was watching a news program about this very subject. They commented that it's as if it's all staged and that there are actually people you can hire to set up a library behind you. They suggested that the reason is that it would make the person look more intelligent. They even zoomed in on some of the book titles and it was almost funny to see some of the titles that were on the shelves.

Re: Bookcases

Suzeecat — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 14:58:10 GMT

What a coincidence that I'm reading this today. Just yesterday I saw an ad for a company that will design a custom background you can use for your Zoom (or whatever) calls. You can pick the books you want on your bookcase, among other customizations.

I agree that I am always more interested in looking around someone's home in the background that what the person is actually saying!

Re: Bookcases

Cakers3 — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 15:02:06 GMT

@tototwo You must have seen the segment on Zoom backgrounds.

You can puchase these on Amazon.

I'm sure some are real bookcases and I'm sure some are not.

Re: Bookcases

Imaoldhippie — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 15:09:10 GMT

Smoke and mirrors, they can be interviewed anywhere and "sets" can be put behind them. They dont even have to be in the same part of the world.

I would take such home backgrounds with a huge grain of salt.

Re: Bookcases

liliblu — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 15:14:07 GMT

Several of the people I've seen on the news/political shows have certain books prominently displayed. I always look at the titles and sometimes look up the book. A few I already own.

Re: Bookcases

SoX — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 15:25:38 GMT

@BlueFinch wrote:
Avid readers of a certain age -- you know, before everything went electronic, have extensive book collections. I'm one of those, too.

However, I've been downsizing my collection. I'm keeping two large cases of special books including some signed works (a favorite, Fevre Dream, signed by George R.R. Martin), but I now have some moving boxes full in my garage ready for donation this coming year.

I decided that if I become ill, or worse, I don't want others to have to deal with moving books. It's a lot of work. So, I'm into my Kindle for future reads now, but nothing will ever replace the feeling of the physical book in my hand, or the desire to collect them.

@BlueFinch

Some feel just like old friends, don't they? My kids have promised to lovingly donate mine when the time comes, but I won't hold them to that.

I tried to instill the appreciation of books -- good writing, when my sons were knee high to a duck. I remember taking them to the Stuart Brent Bookstore for their "book of the month," club when the owner would select for them, based on their age.

Re: Bookcases

ALRATIBA — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 15:37:36 GMT

I just assumed they had their computers in their office/library area - and seeing bookcases was natural.

Anyway - that's my setup. I'm surrounded by bookcases .... and I'm in the process of addng more shelves since I've run out of space for me bookcases.

When I'm on Zoom .... you see my books and pictures in the background.

In the Zoom meetings and webinars I participate - you see all sorts of backgrounds.

Re: Bookcases

deepwaterdotter — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 16:11:19 GMT

@tototwo wrote:
Good info, @FrostyBabe1 -- I've never "zoomed" so didn't know you could choose a background. Interesting.

Nor have I, but if I did, I would place myself in front of the fireplace.

Re: Bookcases

fthunt — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 17:29:35 GMT

@Imaoldhippie Agree with smoke & mirrors.........many of the back drops are phony and some are real. . Like weather forecast- people stand in front of a green or blue screen that is blank.

Tra-La..........USA map is what we see.

Re: Bookcases

suzyQ3 — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 17:43:44 GMT

We can't move in our house for fear of crashing into a bookcase.