Poll: Would you ever burn a book?

[noxymoron19]

The Bible. Thats right I said it. Its a terrible novel

 

[Jopoho]

I'd burn lots of things if it would keep me warm and I was cold.
I burned my school books one year just because as well.

 

[SuperNova221]

I would not burn the only/last copy of a book. Losing knowledge, whether it be insightful, relevent, useful, fiction, porn, another bloody harry potter book, anything. I wouldn't do it. But if it wasn't a unique/last of it's kind book, and I had to for whatever reason, I don't think i'd feel any regret or remorse. It's a lot more symbolic than anything else nowadays anyway.

 

[WayOutThere]

In an age where you can create a kazillion new copies of a book while on a lunch break just by clicking "download", book burning has really lost its danger. You can't destroy all the copies of a book anymore, it can only be a symbol that you disapprove of something. Since no knowledge can be destroyed, I hold myself open to the possibility of burning a book as a symbolic gesture. Hmm, if I did burn a book it would probably be just to show the ridiculousness of getting freaked out about book burnings in the digital age.

Edit: I should add that it is valid to get freaked out at the idea that someone wants to destroy knowledge, even if the person is too dumb to know book burning can't do so. That there are people in the world who would want to do such a thing is something to get freaked out about.

 

[restoshammyman]

yes. the Hebrew bible.
you spend 12 years of your life studying something you dont believe in, and you get a burning hatred towards it.

 

[gregitaly]

I have not the self-righteousness or narrow-mindness to cast heavy opinions on subjects/books/programs/beliefs I'm not versed on; it's called "not judging a book by it's cover".

I doubt anybody has the unequivocal authority to decide what would go and what would stay, so either it all goes or it all stays. Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrenheit_451] provides an insightful look at such a "what if" scenario.

"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture,just get people to stop reading them."

 

[NDstephan]

I'd burn a Bible in a heartbeat just to piss off all of those Right-Wing nutjobs who say that burning the Quran (sp.) is "no big deal; it's just a book"

 

[Gigano]

No.

Not out of any particular reverence - there are plenty of ideas and world views I utterly despise, and putting them on print does not lessen my disgust - but because it's a needlessly crude and uncivilized form of protest. There are far better ways to give voice to one's contempt.

 

[Chatato]

And if so why?

Twilight... Nuff' said

 

[Burck]

In desperate straights, I might burn a book for the sake of survival.

Perhaps never if it were by Douglas Adams (I'd rather die in the comfort of his wonderful writing).

But in a split second if it was by Charles Dickens.

DICKENS!!!!

(Alas, [font] is not working for me. )
(Please read "DICKENS!!!!" as if it were in size 20.)
(Thank you. )

 

[WanderingFool]

Books are paper... Its the idea that is valuable...

There was more semi-philosophical crap, but I forgot it...

 

[IndianaJonny]

I have not the self-righteousness or narrow-mindness to cast heavy opinions on subjects/books/programs/beliefs I'm not versed on; it's called "not judging a book by it's cover".

I doubt anybody has the unequivocal authority to decide what would go and what would stay, so either it all goes or it all stays. Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrenheit_451] provides an insightful look at such a "what if" scenario.

"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture,just get people to stop reading them."

Touché. So perhaps we should avoid 4-wall TVs before saving our books, no?

 

[ToxicOranges]

Now that I dont need of most of my high school books soon... FWOOM.

Also, Twilight deserves burning. And it's numerous disgusting sequels.

 

[Jedoro]

Because I'm really cold, and its my only option. Or more recently, just finished school, burn lots of old textbooks etc.

This, but I'd definitely go for the tax law books first if I was in a library and cold.

 

[SUPA FRANKY]

Of course not, why would you? Just because you don't like what's written in it? That seems really immature.

Besides, that's a waste of paper that could otherwise create resources if recycled.

Edit: Oh, but if I'm close to freezing or something, then I don't seem why not. but burning it because its something I don't like? Please, I'm not an idiot.

 

[Ziggy the wolf]

there are some cases where the book is so bad it should be destroyed or if they are overrated

 

[gregitaly]

I have not the self-righteousness or narrow-mindness to cast heavy opinions on subjects/books/programs/beliefs I'm not versed on; it's called "not judging a book by it's cover".

I doubt anybody has the unequivocal authority to decide what would go and what would stay, so either it all goes or it all stays. Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrenheit_451] provides an insightful look at such a "what if" scenario.

"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture,just get people to stop reading them."

Touché. So perhaps we should avoid 4-wall TVs before saving our books, no?

Honestly haven't read Fahrenheit 451 to be honest, it's on the to do list though. But I would like to elaborate I that I agree fully with your assertion that casting judgment on an idea/belief in any form (in this case books) and then censoring it based on your narrow-minded view is a fallacy. (hope I used that word correctly)

 

[Android2137]

I would if I were cold and desperate for heat. Can't think of any other reason. If I was morally outraged over a book, I'd just doodle all over the margins making fun of it or send a letter to the author.

 

[shadyh8er]

Dude, I don't even dog-ear books. The only reason I would burn one is to survive in the cold or something.

 

[BanthaFodder]

I'm trapped in the woods, I'm cold, and there may be wild animals and hobos waiting to eat me in my sleep. all I have is some matches and this book...
this is quite a predicament...

look OP, I think I know what you mean, but you really should be more specific in your question askin'.
taking your question at face value, yes I would burn a book if I needed the fire or if I just felt like burning a book one day. they're books.
however, I'm sure you mean stuff like religious texts and such (ie. the Nazis or that one idiot in Florida), in which case, no, unless I REALLY needed to (take the above "surrounded by hungry hobos" scenario).