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Originally Posted by Bêthberry

I'd much rather have it feared than ignored as then the opportunity may provide occasion for public discussion of the role and nature of art in society. I wonder if any Liverpudlians made any protests to their counsil? Were there long lines of Middle-earth-clad fans protesting by lighting up outside the counsil chambers? Sadly, I bet not.

There've been protests, but not via Middle Earthians, as this is a broader issue and not limited just to one movie. Currently in the news there is a movement against another movie that involved a more adult topic.

Note that I assume civil discourse is possible in the public sphere. I believe it was in The Shire, although possibly less so in Rohan and Gondor.

It's possible, though not probable. If 'sense' ruled the day, we wouldn't have anything to 'discourse' about, as the limits would be obvious, and nobody would care the Bilbo and Gandalf light up.