There’s a pedophilia guide for sale on Amazon.
Today, many, many people heard about it. And many, many people complained to Amazon, Amazon responded by refusing to pull the book and stating that they believe that to refuse to sell material they feel is objectionable is censorship.
And therefore the book stays available on Amazon.
And I?
Call absolute bullshit. To claim “censorship” is nothing but a cop-out.
Amazon is not a government body.
Amazon is not telling anyone what they can and cannot say.
Amazon flatters itself by saying it is capable of censoring anything at all.
Amazon is simply a vehicle between the creator (writer/publisher/whatever) of a book, and the reader of the book. It is a method for the book to reach the reader.
For Amazon to not carry that book, or any book, is not censorship.
Censorship is when you are told that you cannot express your opinion, or you will face consequences.
By not selling a specific book, Amazon is not saying the book cannot be written, that the opinions stated therein must not be stated. That would be censoring it. By refusing to carry a book, it’s not suppressing anyone’s freedom of speech. The book would be available elsewhere, after all.
By refusing to carry it, Amazon would, however, be saying we don’t allow our services to be used as the stage to peddle evil. It would be taking a stand. It would be drawing a line in the sand of what kind of company it wants to be - a company with a moral code, or a company without one.
Instead, Amazon is holding its nose and hiding behind a claim of not wanting to “censor” a book to avoid taking a stand against pedophilia.
Censorship my ass.
Here’s the reality.
This is a how-to manual for pedophiles. For people who sexually abuse children.
And it’s easily available on Amazon.com for the low low price of $4.79.
For $4.79, Amazon is selling its soul. And it’s a guarantee: By this book being available, children will directly, directly be harmed.
I realize this will hurt me more than it hurts Amazon, but I have no other alternative. I cannot support a company with no moral code. I cannot support a company that cannot take a stand and see how horribly wrong it is to say it’s ok for anyone to use our service to offer up anything, anything at all, for sale.
I am terminating my affiliate relationship with Amazon, removing all my Amazon affiliate ads and will not be purchasing from Amazon again.
Because fundamentally, a company that thinks it’s A-OK to profit from the sales of how-to guides for pedophiles is not a company that will be getting my money.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
amen to that.
Well said. I'm right there with you.
That includes Zappos. I love shoes and handbags, but I can buy those ANYWHERE.
Sorry, boys. Won't be seeing you again any time soon.
I thought I read somewhere that Amazon would be taking it down. Where did you read that they wouldn't? If they are not then I do not want to have anything to do with them.
Nolie - on the TechCrunch link.
http://techcrunch.com/2010/11/10/kindle-pedophile-book/
I just sent off a request to cancel my Amazon account. I think it's the only way to hit them where it hurts.
Hey, you know I'm with you. And what about their content guidelines that state "Titles sold through the Digital Text Platform Program must adhere to all applicable laws. Some Titles that may not be sold include any Titles which may lead to the production of an illegal item or illegal activity." They haven't addressed that anywhere that I've seen and I am waiting because how the hell does a pedophilia how-to guide not fall under that?
Well said!
So well put! You said everything I wanted to say but couldn't because I'm too mad.
Have you read the comments on that TechCrunch link? People are waxing poetic about the cons of censorship, like pedophilia is some theoretical abstract, instead of the terrifying reality for parents. Awful. God, we used to drop so much money on Amazon too! Oh well, sucks for them.
Very well said. So much more eloquent than my "Amazon sucks!"
YES. TO ALL OF IT.
You know I completely disagree with you, and I wrote a post that will be going live at midnight about it, but right here I'll say this:
Amazon has a moral obligation NOT to remove a single book unless it violates the law, and without reading the actual book, it is objectively impossible to state that it's illegal. As a corporation, it has a moral obligation to support the freedom of expression that we enjoy in our countries.
If you read the book, and it actually contains illegal material? I'll take that back.
@avitable - what qualifies as illegal material?
Also, what is the difference between Amazon pulling all MacMillan titles and depriving everyone of their right to access those books vs. pulling a pedophile manual? Oh, right: Profit.
Well, in the US, it has to incite violence or create a clear and present danger to the country. I'm paraphrasing, of course.
@avitable ok - we are operating from different assumptions, then, because I assumed that it would in fact have that sort of content (in plain english, directions on how to facilitate the sexual assault of a child). And I'm not about to buy the book to find out. Ugh.
I won't buy it either but I don't want to assume anything. In fact, since amazon reviewed it and left it, it probably does not contain that type of content.
Agreed. There are alot of people talking about the #Amazonfail campaign today and portraying it as a censorship fight. NOT in the slightest. It was a business decision. It was a business decision to act against basic human values and morals. reprehensible.
Yup. In total agreement. I'm glad they removed it.
Kuddos to you for standing by your principles. Too bad Amazon won't do the same.
I pulled my affiliate advertising program too. And I have been a big buyer in the past, but I'll revert to their competitors.
Not happy with how they have responded to the situation. Not happy at all.