Is Fiction Better Than Non-Fiction?

Jewel Kimberlite (ISFP) vs Tobias Ronan (INTJ)

 

Tobias: You're kidding, right? Non-fiction is far superior than fiction. Fiction is just a bunch of lies. It may give you a temporary escape from reality, but it's all just based on imagination. With non-fiction, you get to learn about the world around you.

Jewel: You sound like a boomer uncle who refuses to indulge in fun and imagination. That's only true if you read some cheesy chick lit. Non-fiction does teach you stuff. But with fiction, there are endless possibilities. You could be swept into a fantastical world with magical creatures or an action-packed plot with suspense that keeps you hooked. With non-fiction, you're just learning about regular stuff like math and geography.

Tobias: Yeah because learning about geography and math is suuuper boring compared to a made up action packed plot full of magical creatures. (Sarcastically)

Jewel: I'm not kidding. If you actually read the right stuff, you would be transported to a different world. It's more fun when you can actually feel the characters' emotions. Non-fiction is just bland and boring. At least that's my opinion.

Tobias: Wow, characters with actual emotions? How amazing. Why would I want to waste my time reading about someone's feelings? takes a sip from his coffee I'd much rather read about the advancement of technology or something that's actually beneficial instead of some imaginary world.

Jewel: Not everyone is a tech nerd like you. You seriously don't understand anything about fictional literature. There are tons of things that are beneficial about reading fiction. You can develop empathy and imagination. You also get a good understanding of life and people.

Tobias: Oh wow. Learning empathy and imagination. That's something I totally lack and really need. If I wanted to learn about life, I'd go out and live it myself. I have no interest in a book that talks about what life could be like.

Jewel: Yeah, as if you actually go outside. You're so antisocial, I bet the last time you touched some grass was a few years ago.

Tobias: Oh really, you think I'm so antisocial? The last time I checked, I have a successful business, so I'm pretty sure I'm well socialized. It's not my fault that my free time is devoted to working on my company. Meanwhile, what do you do with your free time? Read some imaginary stories?

 

Jewel: I actually do a lot of stuff during my free time. You would never understand because you're such a uptight, boring guy. I draw, write poems, read, and travel. I have more hobbies than I can even list. I also have a lot of friends, unlike you who has like two friends max. Do you even have a life outside of work?

Tobias: Your life sounds sooo fun. Writing pathetic poems and drawing imaginary paintings. I could find a 5 year old that could probably outdo you in those hobbies. I have a life, thank you very much. I have some of the best workers under me. I manage a huge tech company, and I'm in charge of over 200 employees. Is your boring life really comparable to that?

Jewel: Don't get ahead of yourself. I actually won awards for my drawings and poems. But you wouldn't know that because you're just a pathetic tech nerd who has no creativity. You seriously think having a large employee count is impressive? What a joke. I've already started multiple side hustles apart from college. And not to mention, I'm still a billionaire's daughter.

Tobias: I think we got a bit off track... so back to the question, non-fiction or fiction. I still say non-fiction since I think fiction is a trash and just a waste of time.

Jewel: As if fiction is a waste of time! At least fiction has more of an impact on the reader than boring non-fiction. Fiction encourages you to think about life and reflect on the world. It can also challenge your imagination and broaden your mind. Non-fiction might provide more factual knowledge, but it doesn't have the same level of entertainment.

Tobias: Oh, please. Fiction is not going to get you anywhere in life. It's not going to teach you real life skills or give you some sort of magical inspiration to become someone.  You're better off reading self-help books if you really want to "broaden your mind".

Jewel: Wow, that is something I did not expect you to say. Self-help books are even worse because they often focus on superficial material or have boring self-improvement advice. Fiction helps inspire creative and critical thinking, and it can even teach us important values like friendship and honesty.

Tobias: Yeah right, like I said fiction is just a bunch of made up lies. And self-help books at least teach you valuable life lessons or some skills to actually improve yourself. Fiction is just a waste of time to think about imaginary worlds or characters. Why would I care about friendship and honesty in a fake world when I can have both of those in the real world?

 

 

Jewel: Oh boy. Here we go again with the whole "imaginary world" stuff. I would rather be immersed in a riveting, imaginative world rather than live in this boring one. At least with fiction, you can have a sense of excitement and feel all sorts of emotions. It's basically like escaping into an alternate reality. And don't tell me that you have both friendship and honesty in the real world. I know that's not the case for you.

Tobias: Wow, I'm sorry that your life is so boring that you have to escape into some imaginary world to "have a sense of excitement and feel all kinds of emotions". If you want some real excitement, go outside and learn a new skill or something. Or are you too scared to leave the comfort zone or something? I obviously have friendships and honesty in the real world. I'm the managing director of one of the largest companies in the country. Do you really think I can achieve that without friends and honesty?

Jewel: Oh please, all you do is sit in your office all day and stare at a computer. You don't exactly have the most exciting life either. I'm not scared to leave my comfort zone. I have been around the world and experienced various cultures and traditions. And oh yeah, like your employees or business partners actually like you. Give me a break. They're probably working with you for the money or just putting up with you.

Tobias: And what do you do with your free time again? Look at pretty pictures and play dress up with some dolls? Get out of here. Also, I'm glad you've been able to afford to travel the world or whatever, but that doesn't make you superior to me in any way. You're still an incompetent brat living off her dad's money. As for my company, my employees and business partners have nothing but respect for me.

Jewel: Why are you even attacking my hobbies? I've been doing art since I was seven. Art requires creativity and hard work, which obviously you know nothing about. And don't even try to bring up that "incompetent brat who lives off her dad's money" stuff. It's not my fault my parents are rich. Also, you're a hypocrite because you're rich too. So stop acting like you're better than me. You're just as spoiled as I am.

Tobias: "Hard work" drawing imaginary people and places is not hard work. It's just a waste of time. Oh wow, how impressive. You can draw stick figures and write some silly poems. What a talent. Of course you're a brat, and I didn't deny that I'm spoiled myself. My family is rich too, but I actually did something valuable with my money. I established a successful company that makes a difference in the world.

Jewel: You really think all I can draw is stick figures and write poems? Well, you’ve seen nothing. I can draw realistic portraits, landscapes, and still-life. I can make art that will make people stop and stare in awe. And my poems are not silly. They actually touch on personal ideas and issues. It's something you would never understand since you're a robotic tech nerd. And it's not like you actually earned all of your money. You were just lucky because you were born into a wealthy family who supported you with connections and funding for your business.

Tobias: Of course I'm not going to understand. Your silly poems are the most idiotic thing I've ever heard. And "touch on personal ideas and issues"? It's not my fault that you have a bunch of internal problems and trauma. Maybe if you stopped obsessing over imaginary stories and actually focused on something important in the real world your mind wouldn't be so messed up. My parents may have supported me financially, but I still had to work for this company and manage it to a successful state.

Jewel: Now you're just straight up insulting my poems and personal issues? Do you even realize how inconsiderate you sound? I have no "stupid" internal problems and trauma. I just put my inner thoughts into my poems. It's not my fault that you're too cold hearted to even care about anything. Yeah sure, your parents just did a bit of financing. But I bet you wouldn’t be where you are now if they weren’t so wealthy. You wouldn’t have gotten all those fancy connections and networking opportunities.

Tobias: Ugh, this debate is pointless. This stupid spoiled brat can't even understand basic realities of life.

Jewel: Oh, of course. I'm just a spoiled brat with no understanding of life. And you're just a cold, uptight business guy who has no appreciation for art or creativity. You're such a robot. You don't even try to have fun and enjoy things.

Tobias: Final words? I would say that you should stop wasting time on fiction and get your head out of your fantasy world. Life isn't some magical place where you can live happily and pretend all your problems go away.

Jewel: Final words? I would say that you should stop being such a boring and cold-hearted person. You need to loosen up and let your creative side get out. Life isn't all about work, work, work. You should learn to live in the moment and have some fun