Incredibly stupid: amazon.com

[markseven]

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/12/business/la-fi-amazon-outrage-20101112

Amazon pulls pedophile advice book after uproar

'The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure' an electronic book, was available for the company's Kindle e-reader device.

November 12, 2010|By Nathan Olivarez-Giles, Los Angeles Times

Amazon.com has pulled "The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure" a day after the electronic book's listing on the shopping website ignited anger from hundreds of customers.

The controversial book was available for purchase Wednesday through the Seattle-based online retailer, but a click on any link to the book's listing on Amazon directs users to a page that says "We're sorry. The Web address you entered is not a functioning page on our site."

An Amazon official declined to comment Thursday.

The book, described on Amazon by its author, Phillip R. Greaves, is an "attempt to make pedophile situations safer for those juveniles … by establishing certain rules for these adults to follow."

The listing said the book was published for the Kindle, Amazon's popular e-reader device, Oct. 28.

Greaves' book garnered more than 3,000 comments while it was available for sale, and commenters gave the book an average rating of one star.
The majority of the comments criticized the book, its author and Amazon for listing the book as being for sale, including those who said they would boycott the website until the book was removed. Some commenters, however, applauded Amazon for making the book available for sale, citing free-speech rights.

The issue raised questions over Amazon's protocol in deciding which books to sell when allowing writers to publish books themselves through the retailer's online store — a process in which Amazon shares in the revenue.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Amazon said it "believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable."

In a statement issued Wednesday, Amazon said it "believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable."

I do hope heads roll at amazon.

[LBJefferies]

He's right though...

[KenC]

They removed the book.

Freedom of speech only goes so far. I can't release a book called "How to Kill Mexicans," and then give detailed plans.

[markseven]

He's right though...

Ideology at its worst.

[StereoInstaller1]

Yeah, gotta love that. Is it freedom of speech or not?

Is it only because you disagree with the author and his fan base?

As much as I believe the bible to be the worst hunk of fiction ever made, and easily the most dangerous book on earth, I want those who want to read it to have access.

Make sense? no such thing as partially free, man.

[LBJefferies]

Ideology at its worst.

Freedom isn't an ideology, it's the absence of ideology.

[KenC]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harm_principle

Read the "Offense Principle" portion as well.


Child pornography is illegal, as is sex with children. How is a "How-to" guide that explicitly promotes it any different? I guess I'm assuming, based upon the title, that is what is contained in the book.

[LBJefferies]

They removed the book.

Freedom of speech only goes so far. I can't release a book called "How to Kill Mexicans," and then give detailed plans.

Sure you can. You're going to piss off a lot of Mexicans and someone might find you and shoot you but you CAN release the book.

[markseven]

Yeah, gotta love that. Is it freedom of speech or not?

Is it only because you disagree with the author and his fan base?

As much as I believe the bible to be the worst hunk of fiction ever made, and easily the most dangerous book on earth, I want those who want to read it to have access.

Make sense? no such thing as partially free, man.

I'm not going to suggest that you are okay with child pornography or the rape of two year olds, but where would you draw the line?

Freedom isn't an ideology, it's the absence of ideology.

I would agree if deviants were not part of the equation.

[LBJefferies]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harm_principle

Read the "Offense Principle" portion as well.


Child pornography is illegal, as is sex with children. How is a "How-to" guide that explicitly promotes it any different? I guess I'm assuming, based upon the title, that is what is contained in the book.

Child porn and molestation are only illegal because they physically harm children. As sick as it may be, it is not illegal to be sexually attracted to children.

[markseven]

Sure you can. You're going to piss off a lot of Mexicans and someone might find you and shoot you but you CAN release the book.

You, too:

I'm not going to suggest that you are okay with child pornography or the rape of two year olds, but where would you draw the line? Imagery and written descriptions of such?

[markseven]

Child porn and molestation are only illegal because they physically harm children. As sick as it may be, it is not illegal to be sexually attracted to children.

Consent. There is none.

[LBJefferies]

You, too:

I'm not going to suggest that you are okay with child pornography or the rape of two year olds, but where would you draw the line? Imagery and written descriptions of such?

The line is drawn when a person physically assaults a child. Written descriptions and imagery are victimless crimes.

[KenC]

Sure you can. You're going to piss off a lot of Mexicans and someone might find you and shoot you but you CAN release the book.

You can't publish anything that incites imminent danger or violence.

There are limitations to the First Amendment.

[KenC]

The line is drawn when a person physically assaults a child. Written descriptions and imagery are victimless crimes.

The text is victimless, but still not protected by the First Amendment.