NewEdition ([info]newedition) wrote in [info]aynrandforum,
@ 2008-04-11 16:52:00
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URGENT: Hillsdale College has book burning group
48 student members on a campus of around 2000 people

Want to burn Constitution

http://www.hillsdalecollegian.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=7e0cb6b8-fdd3-4e86-8fc7-4e840e2aae21

Consider posting a comment.

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[info]madbard
2008-04-12 05:48 pm UTC (link)
I'm going to go with the Not Thinking of Them route.

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[info]newedition
2008-04-13 01:28 am UTC (link)
It's a tough call.
I'm always torn between:
-Does arguing with and/or speaking out against them give them credibility they don't deserve?
-Does ignoring them imply silent acceptance?

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[info]madbard
2008-04-14 04:40 am UTC (link)
You can't feel obligated to address every crank that pops up on the internet. There are too many of them, and your time is finite and invaluable to you.

The only time an issue of obligation arises in speaking out against a wrongful viewpoint is if, in context, your silence would imply consent. For example, if someone is a guest at your dinner table and insults your best friend behind her back, you'd be right to demand a retraction or ask the guest to leave - and arguably do your friend a disservice in remaining silent.

But if some theocratic reactionaries burn books on a campus somewhere, there's no reason to think that you're obliged to speak out. Of course if you feel inspired or motivated to denounce them, let loose the dogs of war. Just be selfish in the use of your time and energy, and always consider whether the likely results are worth the investment of effort.

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[info]rinku
2008-04-13 09:05 pm UTC (link)
But there's also the "evil only exists because good people do nothing" route.

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[info]madbard
2008-04-14 01:48 am UTC (link)
That statement does not mean that it's good's obligation to go out of good's way to obliterate evil. Good has a busy life, you know?

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