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Originally Posted by ApK
As others have commented, if this were law or government we were talking about, I'd agree with you. But we're not talking about bans of any kind.
We're talking about a private business choosing what it will and won't sell.
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Yes, I understand that. I'm using "ban" here as a shorthand for that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ApK
It's not book banning, it's not censorship.
They are not a public utility, they are not public infrastructure.
If you think it's bad company policy, then boycott.
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I think it's bad company policy, and I am using my freedom of speech to say so here. In part to persuade others who hold different views to see things my way--or at least to see other aspects of the issue that may lead them to moderate their views.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ApK
The aspect of this that I personally find objectionable is the idea that Amazon has promised to keep stuff you buy archived, and they seem to be breaking that promise. I don't like that.
ApK
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Yes, this is the part I find (most) objectionable too. But the other issues also hold some interest for me.
Yes, Amazon is a store, not a public utility, and it's possible to find the material in question elsewhere and anyway stores have a right to sell what they want.
But when Amazon represents such a major part of the market, decisions they make affect the availability of material to the general public, and the livelihood of authors. I am not suggesting that Amazon should be controlled by some other entity to prevent it, but I think that does matter, and commenting on it is a legitimate use of the public square.