"This leads to a broader cultural debate about access to politically controversial texts. In an era when libraries are under siege and calls for book bans abound, should texts like the Unabomber Manifesto or Mein Kampf remain freely available?"
Coming from a librarian, the stance of the profession as a whole would be to provide access to any and all information regardless of content, which is called the Freedom to Read. I personally don't believe people should be reading bigoted rantings by conservative pundits, but it's also not my business what others choose to read. And anyway, I think that vulnerable people are indoctrinated in hateful ideology in social circles, mostly online these days, rather than by which books they choose to read.
Please get a card at your local library, y'all. It helps with funding! And if your library board is elected, pay attention and vote in the races. Boards have the final say in how the library's budget can be spent, not to mention make the decision on book bans.
don't forget the books on back pain... I think his dwindling presence on goodreads is likely due to some sort of traumatic back injury and resulting chronic pain he suffered. there are multiple reports that he suffered a back injury while surfing in hawaii
This is also really true. I imagine that suffering such a debilitating injury was extra difficult for someone who lived so voraciously up until that point to stomach.
"This leads to a broader cultural debate about access to politically controversial texts. In an era when libraries are under siege and calls for book bans abound, should texts like the Unabomber Manifesto or Mein Kampf remain freely available?"
Coming from a librarian, the stance of the profession as a whole would be to provide access to any and all information regardless of content, which is called the Freedom to Read. I personally don't believe people should be reading bigoted rantings by conservative pundits, but it's also not my business what others choose to read. And anyway, I think that vulnerable people are indoctrinated in hateful ideology in social circles, mostly online these days, rather than by which books they choose to read.
I totally agree with this! And I really appreciate your work as a librarian. Thank you for all that you do.
Please get a card at your local library, y'all. It helps with funding! And if your library board is elected, pay attention and vote in the races. Boards have the final say in how the library's budget can be spent, not to mention make the decision on book bans.
Everything is a Rorschach to one who sees.
Love this way of phrasing it.
don't forget the books on back pain... I think his dwindling presence on goodreads is likely due to some sort of traumatic back injury and resulting chronic pain he suffered. there are multiple reports that he suffered a back injury while surfing in hawaii
This is also really true. I imagine that suffering such a debilitating injury was extra difficult for someone who lived so voraciously up until that point to stomach.
yup, his reddit posts for the past 2 years were almost entirely dedicated to spondy:
https://www.reddit.com/r/self/comments/1hbeze6/before_you_make_up_your_mind_on_luigi_mangione/