Banned Book Week 2009

[wearsredsox]

So I sort of remembered seeing a discussion for last year's Banned Book Week but I thought I'd start a new one for Banned Book Week '09. Because I can. This year it's September 26 - October 3. I propose we get together and try to do something to help give this awesome event even more publicity, but I can't think of something Nerdfighter-worthy at the moment, so I'm going to make you do it. Post your suggestions here! Let's make it big!

And of course, just discussion of awesome books and why they were banned is awesome too. I'll get that one going with this book: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. If I hadn't read an article about this book being banned by some schol in Illinois, I probably would have never picked it up. But I did, and it was so good that I stayed up until five am reading it. So there book banners :p. Sure, there were some explicit parts, but that is no reason to ban a perfectly great book! Anyway, that's my mini rant-ish on that banning, now let loose your own!

DFTBA, not that you guys ever do :)

[wearsredsox]

I forgot to add the site link, sorry! Here you go! http://bannedbooksweek.org/index.html

[Kate]

I was actually having conversation about banned books with a friend a couple of days ago. And what I don't understand is how we'll ban all these books for sexual content and whatnot, but half the libraries you walk into have Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler, like it's no big deal. Some irony going on there I think.

But anyway, my friend and I came to the conclusion that we should not ban books, but that libraries should implement a restricted section. And you need permission or need to be over 18 to enter this section. That way we can have all the books we want, but still guard kids from potentially hazardous material. Everyone wins.

Also, the book should be labeled with why it was banned. Very important.

[sabelmouse]

isn't banning boks like banning free speech?

[Kate]

not necessarily. if it's banned in a school, it's considered more "protecting the children", which makes sense sometimes. But most of the time it's done in an alarmist manner.

[sabelmouse]

we used to have a strickly age divided system when i grew up in germany. here in ireland it is incredibly open, at least in the public libraries, i don't know what schools do.
what are your public libraries like?

[Kate]

It really depends on where you live. Some places of the US are really open and loose (maybe too loose at times) and other places are ready to ban everything that doesn't end with "they lived happily ever after". But where I live it doesn't seem to be too bad. Maybe a little towards the strict side.

[Alan]

I say we ban the Bible... oh wait were talking about not censoring speech. Oh then I have nothing to say. GO CHINA!

[Kate]

why? please explain.

[Alan]

Ban the bible: I don't like it. Isn't that enough reason? It does not promote the scientific method or asking questions... the 2 most important things in the world for education.

Go China: They don't have this shit, because they don't stand for it. Censoring free speech shuts up people like this.
http://www.news32local.com/
FYI this is not a real news site. This is a scam.

[Kate]

On the contrary, not liking something makes you exactly like someone who would ban a book about science just because they don't like it. And China has some of the most serious censorship in the world. You practically can't get into the country if you are from certain areas are affiliated with certain groups.
So no, banning something because you (one little person) have decided that you don't like it isn't good enough. There are lot of things that I don't agree with, but I believe people should still have access to the information.
Also, what experiences do you have with China that you like there methods so much?

[Alan]

BTW I'm a big person where it counts ;) ;)
So clearly based on this new evidence... your entire post is unjustified and wrong.
Better luck next time.

My experience with China? Do I need to have experience with a president to like his policies? Do I need to have some experience with Michael Jordan to think hes a great basket ball player.

I look at what china is doing, what they are censoring, and I think they have a good idea. Sadly they also have a lot of bad ideas fucking it up. (as most good ideas tend to have) They censor things that are factually untrue. (Sadly they also censor things that are true) So i believe stopping the spread of misinformation is a great idea. Don't you?

Do you think that birds stomachs are harmed by rice thrown at weddings?
Do you believe people eat a certain number of spiders in their sleep at night?
Do you believe the most poisonous spider is the daddy long legs?
Do you believe elephants are afraid of mice?
Do you believe Paranas are some super deadly fish?
Do you believe that ostriches bury their heads in the sand?
Do you believe hair grows back thicker or faster after it has been shaved?

If you believe any of these things... you are wrong and that is the danger of misinformation. Shouldn't this be stopped? This crime against knowledge.

[Kate]

Actually, I believe you ideas about censorship are far more dangerous than a few urban legends. Your metaphors are faulty and your conclusions are hasty. I would ask you to rethink your argument, but you will probably have me censored because you don't like me. Let me know how communism works out for you.