Millions of books are published every year. The great works of the past are accessible with one click. Yet within living memory the regime banned books perceived to be a critique. This happened in Western societies that since absorbed most of these books into the cultural milieu.
Today nobody imposes restrictions on what we choose to read. Contrary to anecdotal evidence posted online a swat team is not waiting to break down your door because of your latest Amazon order. There exists no hidden library of restricted books in a locked dusty basement. Nor are there vans driving up and down the country burning books on mass. That states allow you to read books they once banned speaks volumes about our critical thinking abilities.
“In the Huxleyan prophecy, Big Brother does not watch us, by his choice. We watch him, by ours. There is no need for wardens or gates or Ministries of Truth.”
Neil Postman
Banning books raises their profile. It makes people curious. It is easier to bury important works under the tidal waves of garbage published each year. Capitalism has even devised a way to profit from radical literature. They let you set up your own publishing house then tax your sales all while giving an illusion of freedom. In an era where a minor infringement can see you banned from social media the world of books seems less policed.
There are more insidious and culturally significant reasons as well. First why should they worry when the modern reader is quite incapable of acting on what he has read. On finishing a book, they get inspired or angry but once the feeling passes, they read something else. We are always in a rush to get to the next thing. Few read and fewer still implement the ideas they read.
"One has but to look to see that, wherever one does not come by such knowledge by pounding it into one's head by tough experience, it falls flat.”
Jacques Lacan
Instead, the modern reader thrives on step-by-step guides. This gives rise to the plethora of writers that rehash quotes on Ancient Greek Literature to create glorified productivity guides. When we see everything through the lens of capitalism there must be an economic payoff to every activity. They vilify an active reading of the source material as a waste of productive time. This is sub optimal, so they look for the summary instead. If you only read these, you are being told by someone else what a book is about. You can avoid this by only reading that which resists summary.
Second it seems odd that the books that inspired uprisings, wars and revolutions are still available. Within the current ideology, we seem to have agreed on a final interpretation. That there is nothing new to learn or understand in these complex works. We have reached the final conclusion on right and wrong. Marx or an appropriation of his work was responsible for millions of deaths in the 20th Century. Yet many study Marx to this day, and it produces no new ideas. The institutions set the framework for this study, and it is never questioned. They provide a pre agreed narrative and interpretation. There is a trend to brag about reading these texts but what’s the point if it does not produce anything new.
You must do better. Reading is a creative act. Read to discover new principles or bring together disparate ideas. Even specialist theoretical texts have a practical application if you look hard enough. You must learn how to function without an instruction manual. If I could give one piece of advice for life that would be it.
Universities for all the criticism, are right on one thing, their singular focus on one topic for an extended time. So reread great books that seemingly have no value in society today, no practical use. Stick with them until your understanding is such that you can find a application. If you this is too prescriptive then read several books with overlapping themes. This can take months or even years but with persistence will generate new insights. We need to find a way to move the discourse forward.