Kaufman links e-book trend to bookburning, Nazis - Page 29

tompe · 12-25-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

I won't excuse bad behavior on the part of individuals in the forums.

However, you may want to read the initial article in question. Kaufman essentially opened his position by equating proponents of ebooks with Nazis and book-burners, and in his responses engaged in a variety of

Well, yes, but I still think the best response is to answer the arguments or the lack of arguments or say nothing at all.

I suppose you can argue that you should not import articles here and start threads if the article in question does not follow the guidelines...

delphidb96 · 12-25-2009, 04:32 PM

My greatest problem with Alan's posts are his assumptions that only his views are worthy, that only certain cultures are suitable, that only certain activities are worth protecting and supporting.

Sorry? Come again? How is this different from Hitler demanding that all Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals and Poles be exterminated in order to 'protect' the 'pure Aryan races'???

Oh, we're not talking about specific ethnic backgrounds or races this time. No, we're talking about activities. Such as tweeting, cellphoning, video gaming or - GASP! HORROR OF HORRORS! - reading books in an electronic format. Yeah right.

Since when is it wrong to exercise personal choice to decide what *I* prefer? Oh. That's right. Under Our Benevolent Socialist State it is inherent upon certain individuals to choose the proper code of conduct in ALL areas of individual and group activity - to maximize 'social order'. We've heard it all before, in the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Japan during most of its history, China, both before and after Mao. And let's not forget those jewels of cultural wisdom flowing from places such as Sudan - where a woman can be whipped - severely - for wearing pants and now for wearing dresses that don't fall to the ankle, even if the woman in question is NOT a Muslim.

And Alan Kaufman wants to impose this upon America.

Bring back the buggy whip!

Derek

tompe · 12-25-2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delphidb96

Since when is it wrong to exercise personal choice to decide what *I* prefer?

It is wrong if it is bad for society.

And it is common to have for example lower VAT for books just because it is assumed that a personal choice of reading book is better than some other personal choices. So it is nothing strange with preferring that people choose one thing over another.

And that opinion do not lead to the conclusion that you can force people to choose something. Unless you see lower VAT for books as forcing people to read a book instead of buying a DVD.

ardeegee · 12-25-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delphidb96

Since when is it wrong to exercise personal choice to decide what *I* prefer? Oh. That's right. Under Our Benevolent Socialist State it is inherent upon certain individuals to choose the proper code of conduct in ALL areas of individual and group activity - to maximize 'social order'.

He wants the United Nations to decide what uses of technology are permissible.

No, really, he said that.

David Derrico · 12-25-2009, 10:07 PM

OK, I admit I didn't read the article--it doesn't sound like it's worth giving the author an extra hit on it--but comparing people using eBooks to book burning is totally nonsensical. Does he feel the same way about 8-tracks? What about coal power plants as we switch to solar?

Plus, any time someone uses Nazis or Hitler or book burning as an analogy, they have quite simply lost the debate... unless they are ACTUALLY talking about genocide.

lene1949 · 12-26-2009, 02:19 AM

I think Alan Kaufman might have been so indoctrinated by his mother, that any technological changes, makes him very frightened...

I feel sorry for him, as he seems to be reliving his mother's life.

shazwagon · 12-26-2009, 06:25 AM

You know, I have been wondering, did Kaufman write his article on a computer? Oh my! I think he just killed ink!

HarryT · 12-26-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardeegee

He wants the United Nations to decide what uses of technology are permissible.

No, really, he said that.

They already do in many areas - eg nuclear weapons proliferation and the ban on orbital weapons. Rather in a different league to eBook readers, to be sure

.

kindlekitten · 12-26-2009, 10:22 AM

awww, don't ban him! along the lines of keeping your enemy in front of you, he's good for some entertainment!

Nate the great · 12-26-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

They already do in many areas - eg nuclear weapons proliferation and the ban on orbital weapons. Rather in a different league to eBook readers, to be sure

.

And it's a credit to Mr. Kaufman that he realizes how well that worked.. *cough*North Korea*cough*

PhishStyx · 12-26-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

awww, don't ban him! along the lines of keeping your enemy in front of you, he's good for some entertainment!

Well, the alternative in my mind is to allow us to say whatever we like to him, but I don't really imagine that's going to happen.

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12-25-2009, 04:32 PM	#422
delphidb96 Wizard Posts: 2,999 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Citrus Heights, California Device: TWO Kindle 2s, one each Bookeen Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS-500, Axim X51V	My greatest problem with Alan's posts are his assumptions that only his views are worthy, that only certain cultures are suitable, that only certain activities are worth protecting and supporting. Sorry? Come again? How is this different from Hitler demanding that all Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals and Poles be exterminated in order to 'protect' the 'pure Aryan races'??? Oh, we're not talking about specific ethnic backgrounds or races this time. No, we're talking about activities. Such as tweeting, cellphoning, video gaming or - GASP! HORROR OF HORRORS! - reading books in an electronic format. Yeah right. Since when is it wrong to exercise personal choice to decide what I prefer? Oh. That's right. Under Our Benevolent Socialist State it is inherent upon certain individuals to choose the proper code of conduct in ALL areas of individual and group activity - to maximize 'social order'. We've heard it all before, in the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Japan during most of its history, China, both before and after Mao. And let's not forget those jewels of cultural wisdom flowing from places such as Sudan - where a woman can be whipped - severely - for wearing pants and now for wearing dresses that don't fall to the ankle, even if the woman in question is NOT a Muslim. And Alan Kaufman wants to impose this upon America. Bring back the buggy whip! Derek

12-25-2009, 10:07 PM	#425
David Derrico Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 510132 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: South Florida Device: Kindle 3 & Kobo Wireless	OK, I admit I didn't read the article--it doesn't sound like it's worth giving the author an extra hit on it--but comparing people using eBooks to book burning is totally nonsensical. Does he feel the same way about 8-tracks? What about coal power plants as we switch to solar? Plus, any time someone uses Nazis or Hitler or book burning as an analogy, they have quite simply lost the debate... unless they are ACTUALLY talking about genocide.

12-26-2009, 02:19 AM	#426
lene1949 Wizard Posts: 1,952 Karma: 213930 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Middelfart, Denmark Device: Kindle paper white	I think Alan Kaufman might have been so indoctrinated by his mother, that any technological changes, makes him very frightened... I feel sorry for him, as he seems to be reliving his mother's life.

12-26-2009, 06:25 AM	#427
shazwagon Member Posts: 22 Karma: 52 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Sony T-1	You know, I have been wondering, did Kaufman write his article on a computer? Oh my! I think he just killed ink!

12-26-2009, 10:22 AM	#429
kindlekitten Professional Adventuress Posts: 13,368 Karma: 50260224 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!) Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle	awww, don't ban him! along the lines of keeping your enemy in front of you, he's good for some entertainment!