Travis's comments (member since Jun 30, 2007)

Travis's comments from the Banned Books group.

i don't work in schools, but have been enjoying this discussion. most of our mandatory reading assignments in high school were simply uninteresting materials presented to uninterested students. i didn't observe banning so much as ignoring. i saw plenty of well-intentioned english teachers presenting the canonical works of classic pop fiction. having left there some time ago, I fantasize of leafleting high schools with lists of interesting, neglected works of all types that all students should know of and be reading instead of "Most Famous Story" by Ad Nauseum Famous Author. I could have received a better education in literature and writing by getting the hell out early and asking strangers what their suggestions were.

the book is passe. i read it in 10th grade. it has nothing to do with anarchism or DIY culture-- it's just a list of semi-accurate options for getting yourself locked down for misplaced boredom's sake. its value is that it looks all badass and controversial to other high school kids when propped against Sex Pistols record stacks.