WIST Quotations2d ago

A quotation from Henry Commager

A nation which, in the name of loyalty or of patriotism or of a sincere and high-sounding idea, discourages criticism and dissent, and puts a premium on acquiescence and conformity, is headed for disaster.

Henry Steele Commager (1902-1998) American historian, writer, activist
Essay (1949-11-05), “What Ideas Are Safe?” Saturday Review

More about this quote: wist.info/commager-henry-steel…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #commager #henrycommager #acquiescence #conformity #control #dissent #freespeech #freedomofspeech #freedomofthought #heterodoxy #intolerance #loyalty #orthodoxy #patriotism #security #intellectualfreedom

WIST QuotationsMar 25

A quotation from William Godwin

As the true object of education is not to render the pupil the mere copy of his preceptor, it is rather to be rejoiced in, than lamented, that various reading should lead him into new trains of thinking.

William Godwin (1756-1836) English journalist, political philosopher, novelist
Essay (1797, rev. 1823), “Of Choice in Reading,” The Enquirer, Part 1, No. 15

More about this quote: wist.info/godwin-william/38015…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #williamgodwin #education #imagination #intellectualfreedom #learning #philosophy #teacher #teaching #thought

Godwin, William - Essay (1797, rev. 1823), "Of Choice in Reading," The Enquirer, Part 1, No. 15 | WIST Quotations

As the true object of education is not to render the pupil the mere copy of his preceptor, it is rather to be rejoiced in, than lamented, that various reading should lead him into new trains of thinking.

WIST Quotations
WIST QuotationsMar 9

A quotation from Henry Commager

We cannot have a society half slave and half free; nor can we have thought half slave and half free. If we create an atmosphere in which men fear to think independently, inquire fearlessly, express themselves freely, we will in the end create the kind of society in which men no longer care to think independently or to inquire fearlessly.

Henry Steele Commager (1902-1998) American historian, writer, activist
Essay (1949-11-05), “What Ideas Are Safe?” Saturday Review

More about this quote: wist.info/commager-henry-steel…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #henrycommager #fear #freeexpression #freedomofspeech #freedomofthought #freethinking #independence #inquiry #intellectualfreedom #oppression #questioning #thoughtcontrol

ALA Editions | Neal-SchumanMar 6

Now shipping! Designed as a real-world reference, the newest edition of OIF's "Intellectual Freedom Manual" offers clear, up-to-date insights on protecting intellectual freedom, fighting censorship, safeguarding privacy, and many other key IF topics. https://alastore.ala.org/ifm11

#ALA #AmericanLibraryAssociation #LIS #MLIS #libraries #librarianship #InformationScience #library #intellectualfreedom #censorship #bookbans

WIST QuotationsMar 2

A quotation from Henry Commager

We do not need to fear ideas, but the censorship of ideas. We do not need to fear criticism, but the silencing of criticism. We do not need to fear excitement or agitation in the academic community, but timidity and apathy. We do not need to fear resistance to political leaders, but unquestioning acquiescence in whatever policies those leaders adopt.

Henry Steele Commager (1902-1998) American historian, writer, activist
Essay (1965-12-18), “The Problem of Dissent,” Saturday Review

More about this quote: wist.info/commager-henry-steel…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #commager #henrycommager #acquiescence #agitation #apathy #censorship #criticism #dissent #intellectualfreedom #resistance #silencing #timidity #academicfreedom

Commager, Henry Steele - Essay (1965-12-18), "The Problem of Dissent," Saturday Review | WIST Quotations

We do not need to fear ideas, but the censorship of ideas. We do not need to fear criticism, but the silencing of criticism. We do not need to fear excitement or agitation in the academic community, but timidity and apathy. We do not need to fear resistance to political…

WIST Quotations
Kula: Library Futures AcademyFeb 26

Books about race, gender, sexuality, colonial history—these are among the most challenged titles in Canadian schools and libraries. 🚫📚

This week is Freedom to Read Week (Feb 22–28), and our colleagues at UVic Libraries have created a display that puts those books front and centre—because the best response to a challenge is to read the challenged books! ✊

Stop by McPherson Library to have a look. 👀

📷 Photos by: @Dieter_Boolean

@LibrarianshipCA
@bookstodon
@books

#FreedomToReadWeek #IntellectualFreedom #CdnLib #Libraries #UVic #Kula #KnowledgeDemocracy #yyj

Kyiv Independent Daily HeadlinesFeb 1

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Russian officials call for more powerful weapons to attack Ukraine as temperatures drop -- "Russians are to blame," Moldovans react to mass power outage after Moldova-Ukraine line malfunction -- Meet Olha Kobylianska, the Ukrainian author who redefined women’s freedom -- Poland closes airspace after Belarusian balloon incursion ... and more

https://activitypub.writeworks.uk/2026/02/sunday-february-1-2026/

BrewminateJan 14

📚⚡ Education systems often reward obedience, not insight.

Albert Einstein’s struggles with rote learning and authority reveal a long-standing tension between classrooms and intellectual freedom.

History still warns us.

#Education #History #IntellectualFreedom #Brewminate

https://brewminate.com/against-the-classroom-albert-einstein-education-and-intellectual-freedom/

Albert Einstein’s School Struggles and Intellectual Rebellion

How Albert Einstein’s struggles in school shaped his rejection of authority, his scientific method, and his non-theistic view of the universe.

Brewminate: A Bold Blend of News and Ideas
Just JimJan 8

Lies about #libraries

First, libraries #indoctrinate

It's sad and infuriating that #mistrust of local #government, #books, #literacy, #education, #community #empowerment, etc. are out there for #exploitation

#ALA #intellectualfreedom

https://www.oif.ala.org/lies-about-libraries-part-one/

Steve Dustcircle 🌹Jan 5

The Structural Necessity of #ThoughtControl: Why #Theocracy and #IntellectualFreedom Are #Logically Incompatible

This paper argues that #theocratic #governance and #intellectual #freedom are not merely in tension but logically incompatible.

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5975597

The Structural Necessity of Thought Control: Why Theocracy and Intellectual Freedom Are Logically Incompatible

This paper argues that theocratic governance and intellectual freedom are not merely in tension but logically incompatible. The argument proceeds in three stage