One of my all-time favourite books. BTW, coincidentally, I had a WordPress blog and made one of the first German translations for WordPress (.pl files with poEdit back then). For years after I stopped working on it people would email me to make updates... 😅 Small world!
You know, your newsletter is undermining my clutter philosophy on books. (I used to declare I was only keeping special editions and reference books on my shelves, now I feel like I need to be more open to expansion.) Where is my copy of Fahrenheit 451? Do I need a banned books shelf in my own house? Argh.
Banned books tend to be some of my favorites so I'll forever be an advocate for reading banned books and challenging those who work too hard to censor them.
Book banning is but one small piece of the wider ideological tapestry of censorship in America, a fetish for which both sides of the political spectrum have shown great enthusiasm (albeit in different ways). That said, I tend to think we're so loose with the term "book ban" these days that it encompasses a lot more than what Bradbury describes: for example, a school district being empowered by state policy to choose to remove or relocate books from elementary school libraries to middle/high school libraries is not a "ban" in any proper sense, but some people like to get into lather about it because it pushes the dopamine receptors that allow you to feel like your political opponents don't just have bad ideas, they're evil, full stop. And if you believe someone is evil, you've justified for yourself the removal of moral limits on doing anything to prevent them from infecting others - it's really a contamination/purity issue, to use a Girardian framing.
That fetish for simplistic demonization of the Other is the true central theme in F451, in my opinion. It's part of why I greatly respect the work that FIRE is doing to battle both governmental and non-governmental censorship on behalf of anyone, regardless of political orientation.
I recently joined a book club that meets at a branch of the local library. For this month's book, you got to choose a banned book. When we got together this past Wednesday, each person told us about the book they read and why it was banned or challenged (if they knew). It led to some interesting conversations.
The Bible is the most banned book in history. Yet, it is the most beneficial book one could read. The hand of God is so upon this book that, despite all it's banning and burning attempts, it stands as the bestselling and most widely distributed book in history. Think about that.
And let's be truthful, fair, and balanced here. While conservatives have been banning books with lies, perversion, the occultic, etc. lately, it is leftists who have the historical knack for banning books. Conservatives have a greater appreciation for freedoms including freedom of speech (literature). Leftists have a greater appreciation for government control. Obviously there are exceptions, but that is their historical modus operandi.
I find it interesting that I can buy "banned" books on Amazon. Unless I'm mistaken, I don't know of any books that are illegal to own and read in the United States. Unlike other nations such as China, and yes, I've lived and worked in China, as far as I know, adult Americans in America aren't prohibited from owning or reading any book they choose.
Hey Ethan! Thanks for the comment. It wasn't meant to be a dig. Folks across the political spectrum engage in censorship, for sure. Both versions — cancel culture + book bans — drive me nuts. :)
"Huge fan of your Substack (I look forward to it every week) as both an avid reader and teacher, but I have to say I don’t appreciate the dig at conservative states. While you may not agree with the politics, I believe you also need to recognize the right of parents to defend the innocence of their children. Have you research the books that are “banned”? There’s a difference between censorship and exposing children to fire in a crowded theater. While adults should be able to read whatever they want, children should be protected until they are capable of true critical thinking. I agree with the other comment that you are engaging in the same behavior by “othering” readers like me that love reading but desire healthy guardrails for the young. Just the thoughts of one father to another. Otherwise, read long and prosper!"
Genderqueer is a graphic novel and I’ve seen artwork from it that was pornographic to my mind (depictions of oral sex). And don’t parents have “parental controls” on tvs and smartphones? Nobody thinks that’s censorious. So can’t parents raise objections that this sexual material isn’t under their control? And I am a person in a “liberal” area. I also don’t like the othering implied in the “conservative states” toss-off comment. there are people in blue states and purple states who have concerns similar to those in “conservative” areas....I agree with this parent (Ethan) that it’s up to parents to protect their children’s innocence and well-being, and good for them not caring if others paint them with a broad brush!
“It was a pleasure to burn.” One of those book openings that etches itself into your brain.
Yes it does! Such a great start.
One of my all-time favourite books. BTW, coincidentally, I had a WordPress blog and made one of the first German translations for WordPress (.pl files with poEdit back then). For years after I stopped working on it people would email me to make updates... 😅 Small world!
It's so relatable! I love a good campfire, and this reminds me of the feeling of watching sticks and logs burn up...
You know, your newsletter is undermining my clutter philosophy on books. (I used to declare I was only keeping special editions and reference books on my shelves, now I feel like I need to be more open to expansion.) Where is my copy of Fahrenheit 451? Do I need a banned books shelf in my own house? Argh.
Ha! I think that's a great idea. :)
mandatory reading. all in my little free library. much loved and annotated,
Banned books tend to be some of my favorites so I'll forever be an advocate for reading banned books and challenging those who work too hard to censor them.
💯
Book banning is but one small piece of the wider ideological tapestry of censorship in America, a fetish for which both sides of the political spectrum have shown great enthusiasm (albeit in different ways). That said, I tend to think we're so loose with the term "book ban" these days that it encompasses a lot more than what Bradbury describes: for example, a school district being empowered by state policy to choose to remove or relocate books from elementary school libraries to middle/high school libraries is not a "ban" in any proper sense, but some people like to get into lather about it because it pushes the dopamine receptors that allow you to feel like your political opponents don't just have bad ideas, they're evil, full stop. And if you believe someone is evil, you've justified for yourself the removal of moral limits on doing anything to prevent them from infecting others - it's really a contamination/purity issue, to use a Girardian framing.
That fetish for simplistic demonization of the Other is the true central theme in F451, in my opinion. It's part of why I greatly respect the work that FIRE is doing to battle both governmental and non-governmental censorship on behalf of anyone, regardless of political orientation.
I recently joined a book club that meets at a branch of the local library. For this month's book, you got to choose a banned book. When we got together this past Wednesday, each person told us about the book they read and why it was banned or challenged (if they knew). It led to some interesting conversations.
The Bible is the most banned book in history. Yet, it is the most beneficial book one could read. The hand of God is so upon this book that, despite all it's banning and burning attempts, it stands as the bestselling and most widely distributed book in history. Think about that.
And let's be truthful, fair, and balanced here. While conservatives have been banning books with lies, perversion, the occultic, etc. lately, it is leftists who have the historical knack for banning books. Conservatives have a greater appreciation for freedoms including freedom of speech (literature). Leftists have a greater appreciation for government control. Obviously there are exceptions, but that is their historical modus operandi.
I find it interesting that I can buy "banned" books on Amazon. Unless I'm mistaken, I don't know of any books that are illegal to own and read in the United States. Unlike other nations such as China, and yes, I've lived and worked in China, as far as I know, adult Americans in America aren't prohibited from owning or reading any book they choose.
Hey Ethan! Thanks for the comment. It wasn't meant to be a dig. Folks across the political spectrum engage in censorship, for sure. Both versions — cancel culture + book bans — drive me nuts. :)
As for book bans in conservative states — that was meant to be just a factual statement: https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-04-22/book-bans-soaring-schools-new-laws-republican-states. Given that Banned Books Week is specifically about that form of censorship, I found it worth highlighting. I probably should have included the link as well. It's certainly more nuanced than what I shared.
Appreciate your readership.
Thank you for willing to engage in conversation :) part of the reason I follow you online. Have a great night!
Here's the original comment:
"Huge fan of your Substack (I look forward to it every week) as both an avid reader and teacher, but I have to say I don’t appreciate the dig at conservative states. While you may not agree with the politics, I believe you also need to recognize the right of parents to defend the innocence of their children. Have you research the books that are “banned”? There’s a difference between censorship and exposing children to fire in a crowded theater. While adults should be able to read whatever they want, children should be protected until they are capable of true critical thinking. I agree with the other comment that you are engaging in the same behavior by “othering” readers like me that love reading but desire healthy guardrails for the young. Just the thoughts of one father to another. Otherwise, read long and prosper!"
Genderqueer is a graphic novel and I’ve seen artwork from it that was pornographic to my mind (depictions of oral sex). And don’t parents have “parental controls” on tvs and smartphones? Nobody thinks that’s censorious. So can’t parents raise objections that this sexual material isn’t under their control? And I am a person in a “liberal” area. I also don’t like the othering implied in the “conservative states” toss-off comment. there are people in blue states and purple states who have concerns similar to those in “conservative” areas....I agree with this parent (Ethan) that it’s up to parents to protect their children’s innocence and well-being, and good for them not caring if others paint them with a broad brush!
Ah, it looks like I accidentally deleted your comment! Sorry about that — the Substack interface confused me here for a sec. :) Feel free to re-post!