censorship of books

[mainegal]

A while ago there was discussion about the book "Cast Member Confidential". Someone wanted it to be taken off the bookstore shelves.

I am sharing this quote from Philip Pullman, author of the Golden Compass. Hope you find it thought provoking.


Philip Pullman, addressing an audience at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, was asked about whether his latest book, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ, was offensive. Here's his reply:

"It was a shocking thing to say and I knew it was a shocking thing to say. But no one has the right to live without being shocked. No one has the right to spend their life without being offended. Nobody has to read this book. Nobody has to pick it up. Nobody has to open it. And if you open it and read it, you don't have to like it. And if you read it and you dislike it, you don't have to remain silent about it. You can write to me, you can complain about it, you can write to the publisher, you can write to the papers, you can write your own book. You can do all those things, but there your rights stop. No one has the right to stop me writing this book. No one has the right to stop it being published, or bought, or sold or read. That's all I have to say on that subject."

 

[Decorated_Dust]

Philip Pullman, addressing an audience at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, was asked about whether his latest book, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ, was offensive. Here's his reply:

"It was a shocking thing to say and I knew it was a shocking thing to say. But no one has the right to live without being shocked. No one has the right to spend their life without being offended. Nobody has to read this book. Nobody has to pick it up. Nobody has to open it. And if you open it and read it, you don't have to like it. And if you read it and you dislike it, you don't have to remain silent about it. You can write to me, you can complain about it, you can write to the publisher, you can write to the papers, you can write your own book. You can do all those things, but there your rights stop. No one has the right to stop me writing this book. No one has the right to stop it being published, or bought, or sold or read. That's all I have to say on that subject."

Here here.

Apparently I missed that discussion, though. Was that what Kevin was referring to several podcasts ago?

 

[jeanigor]

Bravo.

Here here.

Apparently I missed that discussion, though. Was that what Kevin was referring to several podcasts ago?

Indeed, it was.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Bravo.

I whole-heartedly agree!

 

[FireDancer]

I have to agree with the quote, especially: "No one has the right to spend their life without being offended"

I have always felt this to be the case with books, television, movies, radio, and the Internet. Anyone is free to not read a book, turn the channel, leave the theater, turn the dial, or click the close button if there is something they don't like.

Trying to censor the content of any of those things is effectively making the choice for everyone else what is appropriate for them instead of just making that decision for yourself and your kids.

 

[dpuck1998]

I agree 100 percent....except in cases where it can't be turned off....like at the RPH pool!

 

[Cyrano]

A while ago there was discussion about the book "Cast Member Confidential". Someone wanted it to be taken off the bookstore shelves.

I am sharing this quote from Philip Pullman, author of the Golden Compass. Hope you find it thought provoking.


Philip Pullman, addressing an audience at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, was asked about whether his latest book, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ, was offensive. Here's his reply:

"It was a shocking thing to say and I knew it was a shocking thing to say. But no one has the right to live without being shocked. No one has the right to spend their life without being offended. Nobody has to read this book. Nobody has to pick it up. Nobody has to open it. And if you open it and read it, you don't have to like it. And if you read it and you dislike it, you don't have to remain silent about it. You can write to me, you can complain about it, you can write to the publisher, you can write to the papers, you can write your own book. You can do all those things, but there your rights stop. No one has the right to stop me writing this book. No one has the right to stop it being published, or bought, or sold or read. That's all I have to say on that subject."

That quote could be used in so many different circumstances.

Here, here

 

[Decorated_Dust]

Indeed, it was.

I was about to say that I didn't think that still happened in America, but several years of experiences have told me that is not the case.

 

[trivial]

Too many people seem to think they have the right to not be offended... I couldn't agree more with the author as quoted.