Ask Lemmy

I can't tell the future. So, I don't have a list of what will edited/censored tomorrow ;)

I don't have a list of what have been edited either, sorry. Out of my mind, I think I can recall a few.

Most of us have at least heard about Amazon deleting t one edition of the '1984' novel from some of their customers device (one doesn't make that up—if you don't know what that book is about, it tells the story of fascist-like society in which the main characters works at the Truth Ministry, or something like that, and is charged with editing newspapers clips and change them (remove faces from pictures and change the text of the articles) so they always fit whatever the new and constantly changing narrative of that government is. I would encourage anyone to read it, as well as Huxley's 'Brave New World' which is at least as interesting as a way to question our own society).

But it should be really easy to find (many) other occurrences. Some about books or movies or series that were edited or completely suppressed because they're considered offensive to some audience, others because they're considered unhealthy (like removing the cigarette they were smoking, from some character's mouth). Others because the publisher did not like something in it or because the author wanted to—try to find a recent edition of the first trilogy of Star Wars without the added extra scenes Lucas so much wanted to put in.

And then there are the endless list of books, movies, series (and probably music too) that are not streamed at all or not re-printed. Either because they're not considered worth it, or because someone is afraid of the audience's reaction.

I won't list the one I have I can remember because I know very well some people are only waiting for that kind of excuse to jump in the conversation, without any other desire than to get offended and to create some polemic.

In any case, I consider the ever rising call to censorship, no matter the motivation, a good reason to own a copy of whatever I want to be able to read, listen to or watch, no matter what anyone could think about it.

And for all the content for which there is no print, DVD or CD available, no physical media at all, well, too bad for them I suppose because... they won't get my money. Simple as that. I already have access to enough offline/physical content to last me more than the time I have left to live, and I really don't think I will lose much by not being able to read the latest best-sellers, or watch the latest series or movies.