this might be hitting a bit too close to home still post-Covid

So far I am struggling with understanding everything that is being said. There is a LOT of slang that I assume is mainly US specific or references to US specific things and with the book being so big it would take me years if I looked up everything so I have just assumed some things from context. Not sure if that is the right thing to do

This is going to be an interesting read post-Covid…

Okay this is so dumb but I'm constantly amazed by how many of my mutuals here get really excited by new quests and are motivated to read books they otherwise wouldn't probably look at primarily because Badge Shiny. Badge Shiny doesn't honestly hook me at all? And I get it's core to pagebound, and I'm not judging at all, it's fun to see everyone get excited even tho I find it baffling. I'm absolutely intrigued by the whole phenomenon. So I thought I'd make a post with a simple purpose.

Up-vote this post if you are motivated to read things you might not otherwise read because Badge Shiny. Down-vote this post if you are not motivated to read things you might not otherwise read because Badge Shiny (you may still read things you would have read anyway sooner because hey, you'll also get a badge, so why not, but acquiring the badge is not your main reason for doing the thing).

Explain or talk more about your views in the comments, should the spirit move you to do so.