Physical books are your protection against censorship

[Kate]

Sarah, I was so shocked when you explained how they could edit words or even take a book out of our hands in our digital libraries. That is so scary. But, you're right anything like that could happen to control their own purpose or goals.
I love books and you now have encouraged me to grow my library even larger. Because when you said that by having actual books in our hands we are fighting censorship that really made me think. Thank you so much for reminding all of us that we must fight for our freedoms and censorship as best we can because, without freedom of speech, there is no democracy.

.

[The-Vintage-Needlecrafter]

Thank you Sarah. This is why I keep my books and continue to collect old books.

[sanguinelynx]

What is even worse is when they edit words out of printed books, removing what they consider problematic. They've done it with a few books, notably Twain's work, and I saw something where Tolkien's LOTR may be on the chopping block, not sure what for, I don't recall any problematic words in that. I've seen movies on streaming services that are missing parts that have been edited, and it makes for some confusion.

[r.d.]

In 2021, I reread the first entry of Christopher Pike's Last Vampire series which was originally published in 1994 and reprinted in 2012 as a three-part volume which comprised the first half of the series. My library procured copies of the 1994 edition and the 2012 reprint at my very persistent requests. I found it disheartening that the author's references to faxes in 1994 were later replaced with emails. This was probably done to remain connected to the contemporary teen audience to whom the series is geared, but I would like to think that if it remained intact it might have encouraged readers to ask questions about lesser known telecommunications. Pike is not the only author to receive this treatment. I discovered that Judy Blume received this same treatment in her own books in which children are the protagonists. I find it very unlikely that in 1980, a child would ask for a laptop computer and an MP3 player for Christmas. This, and my pickiness for fonts, are two reasons why I'm selective about the editions of books I buy and read.

[ashleyculver]

This is why I enjoy building my library! Truthful information. Thank you, Sarah!

[karenyou]

So true.
I've noticed big changes to some classic stories when put on TV... like the most recent Anne of Green Gables. I was horrified what they added. So I agree that physical copies of books are very important.

[EmmalineStrong]

YES!!!!
In studying English literature, I recently read John Milton's work, "In Defense Of Books". In it Milton discussed how detrimental the censorship of literature is. He thought of books as extensions of the author's mind that will live and speak far longer than the author him/herself.  
He put it this way:
"...We should be wary therefore what persecution we raise against the living labors of public men, how we spill that seasoned life of man, preserved and stored up in books... ...the execution (ridding of books) ends not in the slaying of an elemental life, but strikes at that ethereal and fifth essence, the breath of reason itself, slays an immortality rather than a life..." -John Milton

I agree and personally think that it is better to keep all writings from all perspectives available to read and learn from, rather than change history, silence the people of the past, and promote ignorance by erasing and changing the historical evidence we have preserved thus far. True, there is a lot of not-so-great stuff that happened throughout history, but there is a lot of good stuff too that many people want to skip over.  
And that makes me very sad.

[heididages]

Definitely reminded me of the importance of ink and paper books!

[hope-cat]

I take comfort knowing somewhere out there, people like you are preserving these works. 🙏 Thank you for making this video.

This is true for films and movies too. Buy dvds instead of relying heavily on streaming. They'll remove episodes the same way they remove chapters in books.

[gothikasweb]

I never read a single digital book in 46 years and me and my daughter have our personal library at home. Every extra euro becomes a book in this house. 💝

[ThomasMatoff]

Thank you. I am in total agreement with you - and Ray Bradbury.

[RavenGent]

Well said, Sarah!! 🤝. I agree because physical books is how I got into history and Victorian fashion. Reading a book off of a electronical screen is a real headache. When reading a physical book, your mind tends to envision the story in the book.

[hannelore]

Thanks for this video, to warn agains the danger of censorship😔👍🏻. You must have heard about the altering of the Roald Dahl reprints, by the publisher in England😢. Good thing we still have the old versions. 🙋🏻‍♀️😘

[johannlaufenberg]

Couldn’t be said better! So glad to see the house is coming along beautifully. Best of luck to you both!

[ChristinaLorenzen]

So much truth here! I only hope people will see the value of owning a physical book. Seems to me these days people gripe about the cost of books but will spend hundreds/thousands for experiences that can't be relived over and over without great expense.

[jeremiahc]

Mrs. Chrisman, thank you so much for this vital reminder! I have been saying for years that with a simple click, what was once available may not be any more. Related to another video you did on the importance of physical books, I can relate to the importance physical books play in terms of referencing information: guideposts along this life's journey. Blessings and from one Iowan to another, spring is coming and we'll be able to smell our sweet roses again soon!

[purpleheart]

Hear hear for archiving media in physical form whenever possible! I'm proud of my personal library for many reasons, and this topic is one of the big ones.

[johnstibal]

I grew up in the 90s so I had real physical books as a kid and teenager. I could never go 100% digital. I love the real thing too much. Decentralization of information is a digital way to combat the changing of information without knowledge or consent.

[curtismarean]

Your words ring so true! I've always loved books, like you said as well as my father: everything ever discovered by man is written down in a book someplace.

[armitagehux]

I think it's true for all written documents. Everything is getting digitalised, even receipts when you buy a pair of shoes !