book-burning
The deliberate destruction of books as a political or ideological act to suppress knowledge and control cultural narratives.
1 chapter across 1 book
Clock of the Long Now: Time and Responsibility (1999)Stewart Brand
Chapter 12, "Burning Libraries," explores the historical and symbolic significance of the destruction of knowledge repositories, focusing on the Library of Alexandria and other notable instances of book burnings throughout history. It examines motivations behind such acts, ranging from ideological control by emperors and regimes to cultural and political conflicts, highlighting the loss of cultural memory and the impact on civilizations. The chapter also references modern examples, such as the targeting of Sarajevo's National and University Library, to illustrate the ongoing vulnerability of knowledge institutions in times of conflict.