Banned Books

[Nurvingiel]

Originally Posted by hectorberlioz

Nurv, I would rather read Mein Kampf than Lolita.

And I'll tell you why...

Mein Kampf gives historical insight into one of the most whack jobs mankind has ever had, while "Lolita" is a novel that is more subtle in it's troublemaking, IMO.

You bring up a good point - but subtlety I can handle. It would be valuable to understand the hideous rubbish flying around in Hitler's head, from a historical perspective, but I would likely commit an act of violence to the book due to sheer rage, and I don't want to do anything violent to a book.

Lolita isn't very high on my reading list. It isn't actually on my reading list. I just find it appealing simply because it has been banned. (Same with Mein Kampf actually, dear Lord. )

[Spock]

Originally Posted by Nurvingiel

Right on Spock. So, is it a good book?
.

Actually it was a good read, overall. I conveyed the time it was set in.

[Spock]

Mein Kampf -Mein Kampf , my kingdom for Mein Kampf

[hectorberlioz]

Originally Posted by BeardofPants

Don't look at me, mister. YOU'RE the one who made that allegation. Be prepared to back it up with sources. I-read-it-in-a-book-once-a-while-ago don't count. It's still your word that Judy Blume encourages sexual molestation. If you ain't got anything other than your word, then you'll just have to excuse me while I don't suspend disbelief and buy it.

Fine and well. I did read it in a book, haven't you ever done the same?

[hectorberlioz]

I wasn't imagining...

http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists...er/076842.html

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Ah, challenged, not actually banned, then?

Does Judy Blume provide any sources for her statement?

[hectorberlioz]

I checked closer...thats a 1990's case...not the one I knew about.

The Judy Blume thing was in a book, and it was not a full explanation of Judy Blume's doctrines...

[Nurvingiel]

Originally Posted by Spock

Actually it was a good read, overall. I conveyed the time it was set in.

I'm adding "Lady Chatterly's Lover" to my book list.

Here is an interesting article about banned books.

There's no reference to the Chronicles of Naria being banned there (though it does in your link Hector). Still, I've already read them several times, so ban that. Ha!

[hectorberlioz]

*sigh*


I suppose I owe an apology to Judy Blume. It was not JUDY, it was JUDITH Levine. I'm very sorry about my arrogance to BoP, hopefully she will forgive me? *is skittish*
I'm not going to apologize for the parents who want her [Judy Blume's]books off the shelf, she is no less radical still...

[hectorberlioz]

Originally Posted by Nurvingiel

Here is an interesting article about banned books.

Black Beauty was banned?!

[Nurvingiel]

Originally Posted by hectorberlioz

Black Beauty was banned?!

I know!

Banning a book isn't an act based on logic anyway, it's based on fear.

[hectorberlioz]

Originally Posted by Nurvingiel

I know!

Banning a book isn't an act based on logic anyway, it's based on fear.

Fear of Black Beauty? I think that one was more of a misunderstanding..I can't imagine someone bieng afraid of it's influence...

[BeardofPants]

Well, I can't understand a fear based on a fictional book about a girl getting her period (Are you there god, it's me Margaret), but there you go. *shrug*

[hectorberlioz]

Originally Posted by BeardofPants

Well, I can't understand a fear based on a fictional book about a girl getting her period (Are you there god, it's me Margaret), but there you go. *shrug*

Well getting a period is way more personal than getting a horse. Parents I imagine, would rather the schools and the books read in schools STAY OUT of teaching their kids about sexuality, even puberty...

It's a lot more rational a fear than fear of a Horse book...

[Nurvingiel]

Those who ban books are afraid that people will gain knowledge they don't want them to have, eg. the USSR banning the Bible and the Qu'ran.

Or, they misinterpret what the book is about, and think it will fill their children's heads with dangerous ideas, and ban Harry Potter from schools.

Is it ironic to underestimate the intelligence of children while totally missing the point of a book that is not the slightest bit obtuse in its meaning?

[BeardofPants]

Hector, I strongly disagree. I can understand that some parents would not like sex classes so-to-speak, but there is a difference between sex education, and health classes. Girls as young as 8 years old are getting their periods - is it not better that they be as educated as possible on their "plumbing"? I know that when I first got my period, I didn't know what it was, and I thought I was dying or summit. I sure would have appreciated reading that book before getting it.

[hectorberlioz]

Originally Posted by BeardofPants

Hector, I strongly disagree. I can understand that some parents would not like sex classes so-to-speak, but there is a difference between sex education, and health classes. Girls as young as 8 years old are getting their periods - is it not better that they be as educated as possible on their "plumbing"? I know that when I first got my period, I didn't know what it was, and I thought I was dying or summit. I sure would have appreciated reading that book before getting it.

I suppose there is some extent to which school education would be practical, but you have to understand the parents' fears; their daughters come out of schools looking like [to them] sluts, and their boys predatory...they have to wonder what the heck goes on in the school administration.
I agree that parents don't do enough to raise their kids at school, and this is why schools feel they have to step in.

That doesn't change the fact that parents freak out...

[Nurvingiel]

Originally Posted by hectorberlioz

It's a lot more rational a fear than fear of a Horse book...

Why is the fear of any knowledge rational?

Asking my friend Hector with all due respect (which is a lot of respect),
Nurv

[hectorberlioz]

Originally Posted by Nurvingiel

Why is the fear of any knowledge rational?

Asking my friend Hector with all due respect (which is a lot of respect),
Nurv

Because certain knowledges at the wrong age develop that person in perhaps the wrong direction...i.e. a kid who has problems with anger learns Nietzsche's philosophy...that is going to be one really really depressed kid; because he hadn't learned enough about life before he found out Niezsche.

Note: teens (at least myself and a few others I've known throughout my fifth grade year) think that only they've ever felt this profound...they might not know that "Nothing new under the sun" is true.

[Nurvingiel]

Hey, if a kid with anger problems is reading Neizsche, then more power to him I say. Banning his access to Neizsche's books ins't going to help him with his problems. Hopefully he has someone to talk to that can give him some context for the literature.

IMO, The responsibility of adults is not to prohibit youth's access to knowledge, but to provide context and wisdom for that knowledge.

Limiting knowledge is never a good idea. What can I say. I'm a scientist.