Some More News Some More News: Book Bans Are For Weenies
Aug 27, 2025
The discussion dives into the absurdity of book bans, highlighting how they reveal a lack of understanding. It critiques the rising censorship targeting diverse and LGBTQ authors and the irony that banning books often increases their appeal. Historical roots of censorship are explored, showing how complaints can be easily initiated and the ideological motivations behind modern bans. Listeners are called to action to advocate against these restrictions, emphasizing the importance of intellectual freedom and updated educational materials.
01:04:34
Nationwide Surge In School Book Bans
- PEN America tracked over 10,000 instances of school book bans in one academic year, equating to 4,000+ unique titles across 220 districts.
- Book bans concentrate heavily in states like Florida, Texas, and Iowa while affecting districts in 29 states overall.
Bans Target Marginalized Authors
- Bans disproportionately target nonwhite and LGBTQ+ authors, according to peer-reviewed studies and ALA data.
- Recent bans primarily remove books by authors who aren't straight white men, reflecting targeted cultural censorship.
One Memo Sparked Massive Self-Censorship
- Texas State Rep. Matt Krause sent a list of 850 books to schools, sparking mass local removals and scares.
- Districts preemptively pulled hundreds of books, showing how one legislator's memo triggered widespread self-censorship.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
The Rise of Book Bans: A Threat to Freedom
01:51 • 14min
The Irony of Book Bans and Their Unintended Popularity
16:10 • 5min
The Historical Roots and Modern Dynamics of Book Bans
21:17 • 20min
The Battle Against Book Bans
41:34 • 9min
The Dangers of Book Bans
50:15 • 10min
The Absurdity of Book Bans and a Comedic Pitch
59:50 • 5min
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The Meritorious Price of Our Redemption
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William Pinchon
#7061
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Sophie's Choice
William Styron
#6268
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
And Tango Makes Three
Peter Parnell
Justin Richardson
And Tango Makes Three tells the story of Roy and Silo, two male chinstrap penguins at the Central Park Zoo who form a pair bond and, with the help of a zookeeper, raise a chick named Tango.
The book explores themes of family and acceptance, based on a real-life story.
It has been recognized for its portrayal of diverse families and has won several awards, including the ASPCA Henry Bergh Book Award and ALA Notable Children's Book Nominee.
#3346
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Cynical Theories
Helen Pluckrose
James A. Lindsay
In this book, Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay document the evolution of postmodern thought from its origins in French postmodernism to its current applications in activist academic fields such as postcolonial theory, queer theory, critical race theory, and intersectionality.
They argue that the unchecked proliferation of these ideas, which often assert that knowledge is a social construct, science and reason are tools of oppression, and language is dangerous, presents a significant threat to liberal democracy and modernity.
The authors warn that these beliefs, while intended to address social injustices, often do more harm than good, particularly to the marginalized communities they aim to support.
#10196
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen Chbosky
The novel follows Charlie, a 15-year-old freshman, as he navigates the challenges of high school, including first dates, family drama, and new friendships.
Through a series of letters to an anonymous 'friend', Charlie shares his observations and experiences, delving into themes of mental health, sexuality, abuse, and the struggles of growing up.
The book is known for its raw and realistic portrayal of teenage life, capturing the confusion, anxiety, and heartbreak that often accompany this stage of life.
#239
• Mentioned in 62 episodes
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee
Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a classic novel that explores themes of racial injustice, childhood innocence, and moral courage in the American South.
The story is narrated by Scout Finch, a young girl who witnesses the trial of Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of a crime.
Lee's powerful storytelling captures the complexities of race relations in the Jim Crow South, highlighting the prejudice and injustice faced by Black people.
The novel's enduring appeal lies in its exploration of universal themes of empathy, compassion, and the importance of standing up for what is right.
It remains a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality in America.
#328
• Mentioned in 51 episodes
The Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye follows Holden Caulfield, a teenager who has been expelled from Pencey Prep, as he spends three days wandering around New York City.
The novel explores Holden's disillusionment with the world around him, his feelings of loneliness and disconnection, and his struggle to find genuine relationships.
Despite his cynicism and criticism of others as 'phonies,' Holden reveals a deep emotional sensitivity, particularly in his interactions with his younger sister Phoebe.
The book delves into themes of adolescent angst, the loss of innocence, and the search for meaning and purpose in a seemingly superficial world.
#1438
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Mark Twain
Published in 1884 in the UK and 1885 in the US, 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' is a sequel to Mark Twain's 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'.
The novel follows Huck Finn, a young boy who escapes his abusive father by faking his own death, and Jim, a runaway slave.
Together, they embark on a perilous journey down the Mississippi River on a raft.
Along the way, they encounter various characters, including con artists and feuding families, and Huck grapples with moral dilemmas, particularly regarding his support for Jim despite the societal norms against helping a runaway slave.
The novel is a critique of pre-Civil War American society, especially its treatment of slavery and racial issues, and it has been praised for its realistic portrayal of boyhood and its exploration of complex moral themes.
#1658
• Mentioned in 16 episodes
The diary of a young girl
Anne Frank
The Diary of a Young Girl is the personal diary of Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager who chronicled her family's two years in hiding during the German occupation of the Netherlands.
The diary begins on Anne's 13th birthday in 1942 and ends shortly before her capture by the Gestapo in 1944.
It details her daily life in the 'Secret Annex' above her father's office, where she lived with her family and another family, the van Daans, and a dentist, Mr. Dussel.
The diary includes her thoughts on her relationships with the people in the annex, her feelings of isolation and loneliness, and her reflections on the war and her own identity.
It is a powerful and poignant account of a young girl's experience during one of the most horrific periods in history.
#1544
• Mentioned in 17 episodes
The Canterbury tales
Geoffrey Chaucer
#2133
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
Cat's cradle
Kurt Vonnegut
#381
• Mentioned in 47 episodes
Slaughterhouse-five
Kurt Vonnegut
This novel follows the life of Billy Pilgrim, a chaplain's assistant in the U.S.
Army during World War II. Billy becomes 'unstuck in time' and experiences his life out of order, including his time as a prisoner of war in Dresden during the Allied firebombing.
The book is a powerful anti-war statement, blending Vonnegut's own experiences with science fiction elements, such as Billy's abduction by aliens from Tralfamadore.
It explores themes of post-traumatic stress, the absurdity of war, and the human condition, using Vonnegut's characteristic black humor and fatalistic tone.
#262
• Mentioned in 59 episodes
The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood
The novel is set in a near-future New England in the Republic of Gilead, a patriarchal, totalitarian state that has overthrown the United States government.
Offred, the narrator, is one of the 'Handmaids', women who are forcibly assigned to produce children for the ruling class, known as 'Commanders'.
The story explores themes of powerless women, loss of female agency and individuality, and the suppression of women's reproductive rights.
Offred's life is marked by her restrictive routine, her memories of her past life, and her interactions with the Commander, his wife Serena Joy, and other Handmaids, including her friend Ofglen who is part of an underground resistance movement.
The novel is a scathing satire, an ominous warning, and a tour de force of narrative suspense.
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Mouse
Art Spiegelman
Maus is a graphic novel by Art Spiegelman, published in two parts in 1986 and 1991.
It depicts Spiegelman interviewing his father, Vladek Spiegelman, a Polish Jewish Holocaust survivor.
Maus employs postmodernist techniques and represents Jews as mice, Germans as cats, and non-Jewish Poles as pigs.
It explores themes of memory, trauma, and the complex relationship between father and son.
The book has received widespread critical acclaim for its innovative storytelling and powerful portrayal of the Holocaust.
#861
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
Uncle Tom's cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Published in 1852, 'Uncle Tom’s Cabin' is a seminal work by Harriet Beecher Stowe that depicts the harsh realities of slavery in the United States.
The novel follows the story of Uncle Tom, a dignified and religious enslaved man, and Eliza, a fugitive slave, among other characters.
It highlights the cruelty and injustices of the slave system and the emotional toll on enslaved individuals and their families.
The book was a massive success, selling over 300,000 copies in its first year and becoming the second-best-selling book of the 19th century after the Bible.
It played a significant role in fueling the abolitionist cause and is credited with influencing public opinion on slavery.
#50
• Mentioned in 157 episodes
Atlas Shrugged
Ayn Rand
Published in 1957, 'Atlas Shrugged' is Ayn Rand's magnum opus and her longest novel.
The story is set in a dystopian United States where increasingly burdensome laws and regulations strangle innovation and productivity.
The plot follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and Hank Rearden, a steel magnate, as they struggle against 'looters' who exploit their work.
A mysterious figure named John Galt leads a strike of productive individuals, persuading them to abandon their companies and disappear.
The novel culminates with Galt's three-hour radio speech explaining his philosophy of Objectivism, which emphasizes rational self-interest, individual rights, and the importance of the human mind.
The book explores themes of capitalism, property rights, and the failures of governmental coercion, presenting a provocative vision of a society in collapse and the potential for a new capitalist society based on Galt's principles.
#1099
• Mentioned in 21 episodes
Beloved
Toni Morrison
Published in 1987, 'Beloved' is a work of historical fiction that delves into the aftermath of the American Civil War. The novel centers around Sethe, a Black woman who escaped from slavery in Kentucky and now lives in Ohio.
However, her life is haunted by the ghost of her two-year-old daughter, whom she killed to prevent her from being taken back into slavery.
The story is deeply intertwined with themes of mother-daughter relationships, the power of family and community, and the lasting impact of slavery on individuals and society.
The novel introduces a mysterious figure named Beloved, who is the physical manifestation of Sethe's murdered daughter, and explores how this presence disrupts and ultimately transforms the lives of Sethe and her surviving daughter, Denver.
Through a complex narrative that includes flashbacks, stream-of-consciousness monologues, and multiple voices, Morrison examines the trauma and resilience of those affected by slavery.
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