When is it okay to burn books?

[mal]

We were having a backyard fire a few weeks ago and ran out of fuel. I went to the basement and came up with old computer manuals/textbooks where the technology was now obsolete. I had no problem throwing them on the fire but a few folks seemed overly concerned about it.

 

[staropeace]

Throw on a few copies of Twilight while you are at it.

 

[Spideyman]

Throw on a few copies of Twilight while you are at it.

 

[danie]

Throw on a few copies of Twilight while you are at it.

Me too, Spidey!

 

[danie]

We were having a backyard fire a few weeks ago and ran out of fuel. I went to the basement and came up with old computer manuals/textbooks where the technology was now obsolete. I had no problem throwing them on the fire but a few folks seemed overly concerned about it.

When packing up a bunch of books (that had been hidden away in cabinets) to bring to our new house, I came across several college texts, manuals, old hokey books that students' parents had given me. I had no compunction about throwing them in the trash. Those that I thought someone might like, I took to Good Will.

 

[ghost19]

Throw on a few copies of Twilight while you are at it.

HOMERUN!!!! WELL SAID.LMAO.

 

[PatInTheHat]

We were having a backyard fire a few weeks ago and ran out of fuel. I went to the basement and came up with old computer manuals/textbooks where the technology was now obsolete. I had no problem throwing them on the fire but a few folks seemed overly concerned about it.

Wow, like a real deal religion?...like all works of words on bound paper should be treated as some kinda sacred objects never to be destroyed?...holy no smoke, those folks must have a mofo of a phonebook collection

 

[fushingfeef]

We burned a kids' paperback that my daughters had spilled a soda on (it was all gross and sticky on the car floor). We were camping an needed something to get the fire started.

 

[Kurben]

Me too, Spidey!

What are you talking about Danie!!! You should not be burned. You are very far from a witch, hear me

 

[TheRedQueen]

Whew, I thought you were talking about books! Isn't "manual" Spanish for "firewood" anyway?

 

[Neesy]

Throw on a few copies of Twilight while you are at it.

Maybe even a Danielle Steele book while you're at it.

 

[danie]

What are you talking about Danie!!! You should not be burned. You are very far from a witch, hear me

Ha, little do you know what a witch I can be! There are a lot of people who would be happy to watch me burn!
However, I would prefer a bucket of water thrown on me so I can melt instead of burning. If I get a choice.

 

[Kurben]

More like this.....

 

[danie]

More like this.....

She's cute--I'll take it!

 

[mjs9153]

When you realize the book is just that,a book of someone else's thoughts,maybe true,maybe not,but in the end,just a book,not holy,not to be worshipped,but in the end,just fuel..so keep it,or burn it,doesn't really matter..

 

[CrimsonKingAH]

I homeschooled my boys (until High School), and had boxed up text books, workbooks, and other educational materials. Most were given away, but I still had tons boxed up. Hubby put them out in the shed without my knowing, and they were ruined when I found them out there last year. They burned quite nicely. I would rather give books away , no matter what kind they are. But oh well.

 

[Lepplady]

Throw on a few copies of Twilight while you are at it.

 

[CoriSCapnSkip]

I would say when it's a hazard to health such as full of mold.

Stephen King would say when it's a fotonovel!

 

[hipmamajen]

We burned a library book once, by accident. There was a reptile heat lamp on a timer involved, the whole situation was very messy. I was new to parenting, and took the remnants of the book to show to the librarian, and tearfully confessed my family's carelessness and vandalism.

Now when these things happen, I just say, "Yeah, that one won't be coming back, how much is that gonna cost me? And what's the total with my late fees? Okay, I'm pretty sure I have $57.34 on this card, let's give it a whirl, shall we?"

 

[Pucker]

The easy answer is never, but of course -- like easy answers in any context -- it won't do.

Sure, it's all well and good to poke a little fun at people who make gobs of money for what some consider tripe (I haven't read any of the Twilight books or seen any of the movies . . . sadly, that does not mean I am unfamiliar with the saga -- insidious pop culture creep), but I think it's important to remember that old saw about trash and treasure.

Somewhere -- out there -- on this fine internet, in some bizarre forum, there are people little different than you or I who would say the same thing about Mr. King that some of us say about what'shername.

In short, I would say that once you approve (even in jest) of burning this, it becomes much easier to rationalize buring that . . . and that . . . and that . . .

This is what comes of empire building, George.