Libraries and Books: Highlights and Dangers, Tuesday

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

Jon was at the front of class today looking a bit rumpled, but considerably better than he had the week before. If disgruntled.

"I'm afraid I must apologise, as I have no course for today. I was planning on working on it over the weekend, but I was...ah...a child." He sighed. "And there aren't a lot of movies actually about books that I could find."

He passed out an actual paper printout. "Yes, this is old fashioned, but not everybody reads at the same pace, and this way you can all read the article as quickly or slowly as you need, and then we can discuss it. Even if you've never heard of any of the books mentioned, how do you feel about restricting the publishing or access to books because of the ideas in them? Does it ever have a place, and if so, what is that place and where do you draw the line?"

Comments

Class activity

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

Discuss! What are your thoughts about censorship?

Re: Class activity

[furrybluefreak]

"I don't think it's good in most cases," Kurt said after a moment's thought. "It reminds me too much of how they used to censor all the news and stuff about Mutants back home. Only certain things ever got published or talked about, and it was never anything that made us look good."

Re: Class activity

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

"One of censorship's primary uses is to control the narrative around marginalised groups," Jon said. "It's seldom favourable towards them."

Re: Class activity

[furrybluefreak]

"Wish there was an easy way to push back," Kurt said. "It's hard to stand up against it when you are supposed to be protecting the ones who are trying to attack you." Silly humans.

Re: Class activity

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

Jon grimaced. "As far as I know, all you can do is say the things that matter and hope they get heard."

Re: Class activity

[noonedecidesmyfate]

"I think there are books that probably ought not to be read but it's hardly my place to say which ones, or to tell anyone there are things they shouldn't read."

Unless they were books detailing how to do dark magic in which case Belle would have Opinions.

Re: Class activity

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

Jon would join you on that one, Belle.

He nodded. "There are books that are actually dangerous, not just ideas people think should be controlled."