I think by going for the requisite "Top 10" list, they diluted their message. Many of the books are on the list because the list makers are protesting the loss of the 18th Century, and are mad as heck that it didn't stick around forever. Darwin, Decimal, Fredan, et all fit into that category, and are just laughable as choices for this list. The title, "Books Stodgy Conservatives Don't Like Very Much", would be a better title for a list of such books.
However, you cannot deny that there are very harmful ideas. Actually, there are just two harmful ideas. One is that our group, be it racial, national, religious, or cultural, is inherently superior, and has the preordained right to tell everyone else what to do, or worse, that we have to "cleanse" the land of inferior types to make room for this lofty group. The other is that we have a the right to take your property, for whatever reason. I put forth the position that books that do a good job of convincing people to sign on to either of those programs are indeed harmful. That is not to say the publication or reading of these books should be supressed. That is the worst thing possible, because it makes the authors into martyrs, and will simply increase the appeal, as they now become forbidden knowledge. Such books need to be taught, and examined as the totalitarian claptrap that they are.
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momijizukamori
no subject
Date: 2005-06-03 06:47 am (UTC)However, you cannot deny that there are very harmful ideas. Actually, there are just two harmful ideas. One is that our group, be it racial, national, religious, or cultural, is inherently superior, and has the preordained right to tell everyone else what to do, or worse, that we have to "cleanse" the land of inferior types to make room for this lofty group. The other is that we have a the right to take your property, for whatever reason. I put forth the position that books that do a good job of convincing people to sign on to either of those programs are indeed harmful. That is not to say the publication or reading of these books should be supressed. That is the worst thing possible, because it makes the authors into martyrs, and will simply increase the appeal, as they now become forbidden knowledge. Such books need to be taught, and examined as the totalitarian claptrap that they are.
mk