Nick Ahad: We could do with more of this refreshing lack of pretension

I was recently away from the office and spent time in a country in the developing world. I returned home having spent three weeks without a television, very little music: essentially having enjoyed a much simpler way of life.

Determined to continue this fulfilling existence back home, I decided I would unplug the TV and not switch on the radio. Having been away, my Sky plus system was full, so I had a quick look to see what had been recorded while I was away. Just a quick look, then I'd leave the TV unplugged.

While away I have been recording an excellent Clive James series on the fantastic channel Sky Arts (yes, I hate Murdoch's world domination as much as the next man, but the fact is his television company has two whole channels dedicated to the arts). Each programme in the series features James interviewing a famous person (not to be confused with a "celebrity" – he interviews people who have found fame as a by-product of fulfilling the promise of an extraordinary talent). Emma Thompson and Nick Hornby's interviews with James had been recorded – maybe I'd have a quick watch of both – and then I'd definitely unplug the TV.

Needless to say, the TV was left on and the simpler life in the developing world is now a fading memory, but at least the Nick Hornby interview gave food for thought.

The pretension and snobbery in the arts scene becomes particularly focused in the world of literature, and Hornby, who commits the cardinal sin of being "popular", is treated in literary circles as slightly below something found on the bottom of Will Self's shoe.

James asked Hornby about his love of popular culture. Hornby said: "The thing about being provided with a 'way in' is everything with popular music. It's something that's always put me off classical music, its lack of simplicity. There is a virtue in the simplicity of popular music and I don't think that's in any way a bad thing."

I met an author this week with a similar attitude.

Cressida Cowell is the author of How To Train Your Dragon, the movie of which is released in cinemas today.

I asked her about working in the "ghetto" of children's literature. With an English degree from Oxford and a degree in art from St Martin's College, she is an incredibly bright woman, more than capable of writing literary novels, one would imagine. For Cressida, the gift of a love of reading to children is a far greater achievement than a Booker prize would be. Although she argued that the post of children's laureate and the success of JK Rowling means writing for young people is not as looked down upon as once it was, she accepted that it can sometimes be a victim of literary snobbery.

But it doesn't matter. She's willing to stand in the face of snobbery and pretension because she'd rather be popular and change young lives than be accepted into a world where those two attitudes reign.