What do you think would happen if books were declared illegal, and burned?

Question

Yes, you're probably thinking of Fahrenheit 451. If you haven't read that book, then just consider what would happen if no one was allowed to read, and books were feared and used as kindling. How would the world turn out?

Answer 1

Many many years ago (1821 to be exact) the German poet Heinrich Heine wrote in one of his poems "Where they have burned books, they will burn humans in the end." I don't think there is a better possible answer to your question than that quote. And, unfortunately, history has proven it to be correct in various places across the world. Also there is the fact that an entire culture's history can be wiped away in one generation through things like book burning. I do think, however, that there will always be renegades to that type of ideology. There will always be people who will fight against censorship and tyranny.

Answer 2

Such a ban is not unheard of in human history, many early "cultures" tried outlawing books, and all of those "cultures" ultimately fell. Ban the books and you end up with a huge population of learned people who refuse to comply, which in turn leads to mass rebellion, which results in a no-longer-existing ban.

Side thought: How could any government enforce such a ban without having to put that ban in writing somewhere? The official in charge of enforcement would be forced to read something in order to determine whether some piece of written matter was legally a book or not. What a dilemma that would be.

Answer 3

Two examples come to mind where that was attempted.

1. Savonarola, a Florentine religious zealot, attempted it probably in 1494/1495 in Florence; and

2. Hitler did the same thing in the 30s and 40s of the last century.

3. (and this is only a speculation) The library in Alexandria, Egypt was destroyed and it contained thousands, if not millions, of volumes from the ancients.

Answer 4

there's an excellent movie made just to cover that scenario. go to blockbuster or netflix and get "fahrenheit 451" it's a good film about just such a what if--there is the dublin core system enacted under the clinton era to provide an electronic internet accessable reference system for finding and viewing all forms of information, archived for easy retreival. it may be just the ticket to learn in the future. provideing an easier and faster way to acces prose,verse,etc.

Answer 5

The Dark Age, round 2.

Answer 6

Well, I think these days, books aren't as important as they used to be. I mean, the world wouldn't end. With things like the internet, important information is available relatively easily. And much of the younger generation has lost interest in books, as more newer technology is introduced. So, I think it is a dying trend anyway. I hope it isn't though. I love books. But, it just seems that way to me.

Answer 7

I believe that you don't have to declare books illegal or burn them: you just have to get a population so self-centered and complacent that they can be spoon-fed any information that the government wants them to believe.

Could it happen???? Naaaaaahhhh. . .surely not.

Answer 8

I would probly be jailed for the collection I have,and no way would I allow anyone to burn the books I own.
They'd have to take me out first.
I actually can't even imagine it.

Answer 9

We would return to the dark ages of ignorance and those who could read would have the power.

Answer 10

Well there is one book that they could not destroy and that is the bible why? because God would not allow it. He has protected it since its beginning.