• MacN'Cheezus
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    10 hours ago

    You know the book is old enough to be in the public domain nowadays, and you can legally download a copy of it using the same device they use for watching those videos, right?

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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      1 hour ago

      The proper reaction to finding out that librarians are legally barred from lending certain classic novels to children is not, “oh that’s okay, they can just download it.” Especially when we’re literally talking about a book dealing with suppressing speech.

      • MacN'Cheezus
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        54 minutes ago

        On the contrary, I’d say that’s an instructive example demonstrating why the book continues to be relevant over 75 years after its release.

        Also, if anything, banning it would likely only serve to increase interest in it since the best way to get a rebellious teenager to do anything is to tell them they aren’t allowed to do it.

        • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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          48 minutes ago

          It’s only instructive if the kids you think should download books that they can’t get at the library are taking your advice to do so. And I doubt they’re on Lemmy.

          Furthermore, as the husband of a librarian who is (if she is still in Indiana when they pass the bill they intend to pass) at risk of imprisonment if she allows children to have access to books on a ban list, I have to tell you that this is about more than just kids having access to a specific book.

      • MacN'Cheezus
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        8 hours ago

        There are several links to free, legal copies at the bottom of the book’s Wikipedia page.

        Also, if you type “1984” into YouTube, the first result is this full audiobook recording. It’s really not difficult to find.

          • MacN'Cheezus
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            7 hours ago

            I understand, but my point is that it really doesn’t take any more effort or dedication than going to the library does. In fact, it’s certainly no more difficult than looking up videos of animal cruelty (at least I don’t exactly just see them being suggested to me randomly).

            • camr_on@lemmy.world
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              4 hours ago

              Animal cruelty maybe not, but I know a few friends who get randomly shown car crashed and combat recordings and the like. I agree with your sentiment for the most part, but I think the real point is that books that should be required reading for young minds are being banned, while the majority of young people are on sites that will show you all kinds of crazy shit to keep you scrolling