Farenheit 451

[Keneldil the Polka-dot]

an individual shouldn’t make, nor should they be expected to make decisions about censorship in a vacuum. An individual should make such decisions based on debate with people present (including, most importantly, the author as presented in the work being debated), research (debate with people past), and with the desired end in view. The last element opens up a whole other debate about exactly what end should be achieved.

I don't mean to throw an apple at you specifically here Bill [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] I'm using your quote to help illustrate something that disturbs me a little. I am surprised at the amount of tolerance censorship is getting in this thread. It could be, of course, that the people of the Downs are wise and even tempered, trying to look at all sides of the issue. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] I should try to be more like that myself, but censorship really bothers me. I can't help but feel like it should really bother everyone else too.

Teach children to evaluate for themselves and censorship becomes unnecessary. Refusing to expose children to ideas that are controversial may seem like the thing to do in the short run, but in the long run it is dangerous and ignorant.

I guess I should take a second here to say that I don't get the feeling anyone is actually advocating censorship. I'm just surprised at how much serious consideration it is getting.

An individual should make such decisions........with the desired end in view.The last element opens up a whole other debate about exactly what end should be achieved.

A slight paraphrase. Sorry Bill but this apple looks to be going in your general direction. Can there ever be a legitimate desired end to censorship? What good end could ever be achieved?

I apologize for the lack of Tolkien references in my posts for this thread.