4 ms·

I think the fundamental issue is in the "how-to" nature of this book. I wouldn't expect Amazon to remove a book that merely discusses pedophilia, however contro

I think the fundamental issue is in the "how-to" nature of this book. I wouldn't expect Amazon to remove a book that merely discusses pedophilia, however controversial (or disgusting) the ideas within it are. The outrage in this case is about a book that appears to be a how-to guide for those wanting to engage in child molestation (which is a very serious crime). Likewise, I would expect Amazon to keep a philosophical book about terrorism (seen through the eyes of terrorists) amongst its listings. But I don't think they should sell a book on how to create homemade bombs and then board planes with said devices. People may disagree with their business decision, but I don't see their actions as being contradictory or unreasonable. On a side note, self-published Kindle books that are morally questionable in nature are far more common and (often) hardcore (e.g., incest, rape, etc...) than mainstream printed books. They also sell well, since the system of digital delivery spares buyers from any form of embarrassment.

anigbrowl 16y ago
The same is true of print-on-demand and DVD offerings, unfortunately. You can opt for a somewhat lower profit share and be listed on regular Amazon, which is probably the best way to go - the on-demand store has the flavor of a seedy remainders outlet.
joelmichael 16y ago
I'm sure there are plenty of other books on Amazon which are how-to guides for illegal acts, from murder to smoking marijuana. Should they be banned? I just found one as an example, Be Your Own Undertaker: How To Dispose Of A Dead Body.
- ErrantX 16y ago
  Well, it depends on the jurisdiction and the advice it gives - but disposing of a corpse may not in itself be illegal. If the book was a how to on "How to kill someone and dispose of the body", that might be another matter :)
philwelch 16y ago
"Likewise, I would expect Amazon to keep a philosophical book about terrorism (seen through the eyes of terrorists) amongst its listings. But I don't think they should sell a book on how to create homemade bombs and then board planes with said devices." Not sure if it covers boarding planes, but: http://www.amazon.com/Anarchist-Cookbook-William-Powell/dp/0974458902/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289508982&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/Anarchist-Cookbook-William-Powell/dp/0...
raganwald 16y ago
I think it's important to distinguish between what Amazon books Amazon ought to sell and what books ought to be allowed to be sold. In the 70s, Abbie Hoffman wrote a book called "Steal this book!" It contains instructions for committing revolutionary acts we would call terrorism today. I went to buy a copy out of nostalgia, and in a stunning act of irony, it was in my bookstore's "American History" section. But at the time it was published, the ideas were radical and heavily disparaged. Should it have been censored? Should it be censored now? http://www.amazon.com/Steal-This-Book-Abbie-Hoffman/dp/156858217X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289508930&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/Steal-This-Book-Abbie-Hoffman/dp/15685... Likewise, we can find lots of books about smoking and growing Cannabis. Judging by the glee with which the USA incarcerates its citizens for these activities, one would think that Cannabis is considered far, far more dangerous than gunpowder. Should they be censored? I think we can make judgments about what a business that caters to a broad audience should or shouldn't do. But there's a very difficult freedom of speech issue here. The mere illegality of an activity isn't the litmus test for me, and neither is instructional content.
- phlux 16y ago
  I cant take your comment seriously. I cannot, in any way, equate the sexual interest/abuse of children with freedom of speech in an form. While there are acts one can take against a government/system which one perceives to be oppressive, they cannot parallel sexual interest in children. Typically [citation needed] pedophilia is a symptom of having been sexually abused as a child. Regardless of your stance on free speech, this truly is a tragic and disgusting behavior which should not be tolerated. At the same time - it should not be ignored, and all efforts to eradicate and prosecute it should be upheld. In the same way, say, forcing a child to smoke cannabis would be as abhorrent. Sure, you choosing to smoke it shouldn't affect anyone - but you forcing that desire upon on whom you (as an adult) should be protecting is unacceptable in all instances. [EDIT: incomplete thoughts.]
  - ErrantX 16y ago
    I don't disagree with you necessairily, but just ot say: Typically [citation needed] pedophilia is a symptom of having been sexually abused as a child. This is an urban myth. It is not known (but much debated) what causes pedophilia, but I believe current thinking is generally in favour of physical/mental causes. Although there are links to people with low self-esteem and other similar problems there is no actual link to childhood abuse.

anigbrowl 16y ago

The same is true of print-on-demand and DVD offerings, unfortunately. You can opt for a somewhat lower profit share and be listed on regular Amazon, which is probably the best way to go - the on-demand store has the flavor of a seedy remainders outlet.

joelmichael 16y ago

I'm sure there are plenty of other books on Amazon which are how-to guides for illegal acts, from murder to smoking marijuana. Should they be banned? I just found one as an example, Be Your Own Undertaker: How To Dispose Of A Dead Body.

ErrantX 16y ago
Well, it depends on the jurisdiction and the advice it gives - but disposing of a corpse may not in itself be illegal. If the book was a how to on "How to kill someone and dispose of the body", that might be another matter :)

philwelch 16y ago

"Likewise, I would expect Amazon to keep a philosophical book about terrorism (seen through the eyes of terrorists) amongst its listings. But I don't think they should sell a book on how to create homemade bombs and then board planes with said devices." Not sure if it covers boarding planes, but: http://www.amazon.com/Anarchist-Cookbook-William-Powell/dp/0974458902/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289508982&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/Anarchist-Cookbook-William-Powell/dp/0...

raganwald 16y ago

I think it's important to distinguish between what Amazon books Amazon ought to sell and what books ought to be allowed to be sold. In the 70s, Abbie Hoffman wrote a book called "Steal this book!" It contains instructions for committing revolutionary acts we would call terrorism today. I went to buy a copy out of nostalgia, and in a stunning act of irony, it was in my bookstore's "American History" section. But at the time it was published, the ideas were radical and heavily disparaged. Should it have been censored? Should it be censored now? http://www.amazon.com/Steal-This-Book-Abbie-Hoffman/dp/156858217X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289508930&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/Steal-This-Book-Abbie-Hoffman/dp/15685... Likewise, we can find lots of books about smoking and growing Cannabis. Judging by the glee with which the USA incarcerates its citizens for these activities, one would think that Cannabis is considered far, far more dangerous than gunpowder. Should they be censored? I think we can make judgments about what a business that caters to a broad audience should or shouldn't do. But there's a very difficult freedom of speech issue here. The mere illegality of an activity isn't the litmus test for me, and neither is instructional content.

phlux 16y ago
I cant take your comment seriously. I cannot, in any way, equate the sexual interest/abuse of children with freedom of speech in an form. While there are acts one can take against a government/system which one perceives to be oppressive, they cannot parallel sexual interest in children. Typically [citation needed] pedophilia is a symptom of having been sexually abused as a child. Regardless of your stance on free speech, this truly is a tragic and disgusting behavior which should not be tolerated. At the same time - it should not be ignored, and all efforts to eradicate and prosecute it should be upheld. In the same way, say, forcing a child to smoke cannabis would be as abhorrent. Sure, you choosing to smoke it shouldn't affect anyone - but you forcing that desire upon on whom you (as an adult) should be protecting is unacceptable in all instances. [EDIT: incomplete thoughts.]
- ErrantX 16y ago
  I don't disagree with you necessairily, but just ot say: Typically [citation needed] pedophilia is a symptom of having been sexually abused as a child. This is an urban myth. It is not known (but much debated) what causes pedophilia, but I believe current thinking is generally in favour of physical/mental causes. Although there are links to people with low self-esteem and other similar problems there is no actual link to childhood abuse.