Banned in the USA

Why are books or music banned in the USA? Is this beneficial or detrimental to our society? Go this link. Is there a pattern to why books are banned?

Music and books are mostly banned because of the fear of realization and being exposed to something you shouldn't be exposed to. Nonetheless, the fact that anything is banned from others at all is detrimental to society, unless it is truly inappropriate for a certain age group. Most of the books listed on the website are frequently challenged because of sexuality and offensive language, which I feel really should be censored from children. However, there are books that are listed on the website due to racism and religious viewpoints. I feel that these should not be banned. People, even children, need to be open minded and exposed to the flaws and different perspectives of society.

The Lowest Animal

"Americans have always had a high regard for progress and self-improvement. Mark Twain couples this admirable national trait with a blistering vision of how far, in his opinion, the human race falls short of its ideals. Think about what you would like to change about human nature, and freewrite your ideas" (Holt 468).

For as long as humans have existed, they have never been flawless. Through years of development and progress, barely anything of the human nature were changed. If it were somehow possible, I would certainly like to get rid of the infatuation, selfishness, and violence that we drown ourselves in.

All humans are, in one way or another, infatuated with our desires. The growth of technology, although not quite a bad thing, can be an example of our materialistic interests. Today, it seems as though everyone is walking around with cellphones and mp3 players in their pockets. There is an abundance of useful technology that have been remade and modified over and over to flatter the consumers that never seem to be satisfied with even the latest updates.

Despite even those who are less concerned about themselves, all humans are selfish(though it may not always be for a bad reason). For most people, its "every man/woman for themself." One example would be today's social classes. There is a huge gap between the rich and the poor. In today's economy, it is understandable why people are not willing to help. However, some of those who are wealthy aren't even willing to lend a helping hand to those who are not.

Violence has become too common in society. Many people have turned to violence for resolving their problems. There are school fights, street fights, gang fights, and drive bys--they all seem so meaningless to me. Humans releasing such brutality on other humans, just for their own interests, for their own reputations. The world is infected with the existence of the word 'war', and it may never be forgotten. This is the greatest flaw of the human nature.

Satire

Look in the dictionary on your computer. What is satire? Go to this link. Read some of the articles. Why is this satire?

'Satire' is defined in the dictionary as the use of irony, sarcasm, or ridicule in exposing, denouncing, deriding vice or folly.

The articles on The Onion are filled with satire. They exaggerate the truth and make fun of real life situations and today's society. One example would be the parody news video about Apple's introduction of a laptop lacking a keyboard, which ridicules people's infatuation of materials and technology.