You went for it! Taking on controversial subjects like this one is definitely not the quality of a coward. The most reason I appreciate this article is because you are honestly stating your feelings about the matter, particularly in an environment where it is bound to be a bit unpopular.
As for me...I'm conflicted. I understand your point concerning the cookbook, but I have always been a bit anti-censorship to be honest. Wait, I should rephrase that- anti-censorship by 'the powers that be' as you mentioned in the article. I think the largest problem is that there are so many irresponsible people, and in that sense I actually understand why things are censored. Let me explain.
If my son wanted to read the Anarchist's Cookbook (he's nearly fourteen and quite brilliant...I may be biased, haha) I would let him. However, we would have a long conversation about the material. To me, communication is the key to these matters. But unfortunately there are many out there who do not have good communication, who are extremely irresponsible, and because of that I understand the decision for censorship. Sadly. Maybe one day we will evolve to a place where everyone operates with one hundred empathy, where we live under the banner of one rule and only that rule is necessary-- Do No Harm. Until that day...
I love hearing your thoughts, you are definitely diversifying this time around, awesome!
Hey there, beautiful @dreemit!
Lol, yep, I decided to branch out a little and get some "hot" topics going and, of course, the opinions came flooding in... which I do embrace though! It's such a large subject compassing so many different variables that my one article can only cover a fraction of. But I still think highlights some high-profile issues.
Your example is such a great one! Very nicely thought out! If you knew me throughout the years preceding Steemit, you may consider me the most likely candidate for any "anti-censorship" movement, lol. I can't stand being told what I can and can't express (especially given that we're authors that need to wield our creative freedoms as unrestricted as possible).
However, that's just me thinking out aloud from a personal perspective. My view on the "cookbook" is where I see things a little different. Whereas one could blame a book or movie for some mass rampage leading to many killings, the link is vague at best. That's how I see it. My view is the people themselves who perpetrate such acts are not stable in the first place and thus any "random trigger" may be the catalyst for the unfortunate outcome. Be that a book, movie, pamphlet, speaking to the wrong group of people. It's, at best, unfounded guesswork.
However, the "cookbook" getting into the wrong hands is no longer barricaded within the realms of entertainment and fantasy. Just like the London attacks, where terrorists used "everyday" objects against the public, such as knifes or nails, the book provides explicit instructions of how to create these savage weapons using the same household items. That's it's primary purpose. No story, no reasoning within it's pages, just how to instigate chaos and death.
Now, I understand you as a good parent could introduce your son (I'm sure he is brilliant given he has such a great mother, lol!) to literature like this with the guiding hand of due care, to highlight it's possible dangers and context. However, that's our private world. The outside world is a very different place where terrorists, psychopaths and the deluded reside. That book in their hands holds a totally different meaning so the government wishing to kerb production of material like this as a means to stop it spreading, I can understand. If innocent lives can be spared by even one maniac not being able to get their hands on these type of books, I fully support it.
Again, quite a debatable topic and interesting to hear all each other's view nonetheless.
Bless you, @dreemit and look for me down your comments section later day. I've been so busy with my in-laws these past few days but have scheduled a nice run of chapters with a great book called "Revival" later today.
Take care, lovely @dreemit and thanks for stopping by! :)