Modern Library's 100 Best 20th Century Novels Chosen by Readers (WTF?)

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Okay, take a look at this list, particularly the "reader's choice" column on the right, and tell me how this could happen. Four out of the top ten are Ayn Rand (the one and two spot both hold Ayn Rand books) and three out of the top ten are by L. Ron Hubbard. What? I won't say neither belongs in the top ten as I've never read either author, but four and three spots respectively? That's surprising for any author.

Now, I'm not wanting to argue the validity of this list (what is there to discuss? it obviously has little), but how a group of voting readers could come to this top ten list. Is there some huge fan base for Ayn Rand and L. Ron Hubbard connected to the Modern Library? Seriously, how could this happen?

[lawpark]

You shouldn't assume that voting is done through each thoughtful person making an informed decision ... this is a myth, both for this list and for other types of voting ...

[Drkshadow03]

Okay, take a look at this list, particularly the "reader's choice" column on the right, and tell me how this could happen. Four out of the top ten are Ayn Rand (the one and two spot both hold Ayn Rand books) and three out of the top ten are by L. Ron Hubbard. What? I won't say neither belongs in the top ten as I've never read either author, but four and three spots respectively? That's surprising for any author.

Now, I'm not wanting to argue the validity of this list (what is there to discuss? it obviously has little), but how a group of voting readers could come to this top ten list. Is there some huge fan base for Ayn Rand and L. Ron Hubbard connected to the Modern Library? Seriously, how could this happen?

Stacking the polls, of course.

[stlukesguild]

Actually... the only thing that surprises me on that list (considering that the average readers are morons) is that Ulysses ranked as high as it did... although I suspect its just lip-service by college grads who remember being told Ulysses was the greatest novel of the 20th century... and so they came up with a book to make themselves at least appear cultured.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

You shouldn't assume that voting is done through each thoughtful person making an informed decision ... this is a myth, both for this list and for other types of voting ...

I get this, but why Ayn Rand and L. Ron Hubbard? That's what I don't get. I know the voting is BS (I don't know how the voting was done) since any yahoo with a computer can vote, but why one of the most politically polarizing authors ever and one who invented a whack-job religion?

[OrphanPip]

An organized voting campaign by objectivist/libertarians and scientologist.

[stlukesguild]

An organized voting campaign by objectivist/libertarians and scientologist.

Now that's a convention I'd plan on avoiding.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

An organized voting campaign by objectivist/libertarians and scientologist.

Now that's a convention I'd plan on avoiding.

It'd be quite an experience, that's for sure.

[mortalterror]

Orphanpip hit the nail right on the head. I've heard that members of scientology are continually buying extra copies of L. Ron Hubbards books to keep them on prominent display in store shelves and reaching the best seller lists. They gimmick the system and vote out of all proportion to their actual numbers in polls like these. I assume that similar tactics are utilized by Ayn Rand's following.

[Lokasenna]

The 'Board's List' is somewhat more realistic, but yeah, these things are never accurate.

I know that the ranking of literature is subjective, but it isn't that subjective.

[Alexander III]

Not really that surprised. Like Lukes said, the majority will never have an "informed opinion" as to have one you need to have devoted some time to the subject, and thus the masses will always demonstrate the "uninformed opinion". But this is the great flaw of all choices made by everyone voting. You never get the best choice, you just get the "shiniest" choice so to say.

Sorry if I made this a bit political.

[PeterL]

All of those lists are tilted toward something. The readers' choices are, as has been noted, partly built from political or religious beliefs. The board's list is derived from a different set of prejudices. sSOme of the books on either are obscure but loved by a small set of people.

[Calidore]

Orphanpip hit the nail right on the head. I've heard that members of scientology are continually buying extra copies of L. Ron Hubbards books to keep them on prominent display in store shelves and reaching the best seller lists. They gimmick the system and vote out of all proportion to their actual numbers in polls like these. I assume that similar tactics are utilized by Ayn Rand's following.

As a native of Chicago ("Vote early and often"), I approve.

[mortalterror]

Not really that surprised. Like Lukes said, the majority will never have an "informed opinion" as to have one you need to have devoted some time to the subject, and thus the masses will always demonstrate the "uninformed opinion". But this is the great flaw of all choices made by everyone voting. You never get the best choice, you just get the "shiniest" choice so to say.

Sorry if I made this a bit political.

The masses err in one direction and the specialists in another. One has to account for either bias in assessing the truth of any opinion. I don't think Harry Potter is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but then neither is James Joyce. Both the masses and the specialists can agree on Shakespeare and there we have a true consensus.

[Emil Miller]

The masses err in one direction and the specialists in another. One has to account for either bias in assessing the truth of any opinion. I don't think Harry Potter is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but then neither is James Joyce. Both the masses and the specialists can agree on Shakespeare and there we have a true consensus.

When it comes to Harry Potter and James Joyce, give me sliced bread any day.