DemocJan 29, 2023
Sheril Kirshenbaum

Libraries are just amazing.

I’m on the other side of the world in a lovely public library in Australia & spotted a book I co-wrote 14 years ago. And no matter where you are, librarians are always the kindest, most helpful people you’ll find. Still, somehow, this magical system of exchanging #books & sharing ideas is entirely free.

Jan 28, 2023 at 2:52amMetatext
Show threadAdam CookJan 28, 2023

@Sheril Wow. Your book was quite... clairvoyant. Sadly.

I am going to pick up a copy.

Show threadLisa BolinJan 28, 2023
@adamjcook @Sheril I was just thinking the same thing… Homo sapiens’ storytelling ability is a wonderful thing but the flip side is people believe a vaccine is secretly hiding a computer chip 😕
Show threadDaniel SchildtJan 29, 2023
@lnbolin And those people will still carry a phone with them, as if a real time location broadcasting wouldn't be a problem. 😅
Show threadLisa BolinJan 30, 2023
@autiomaa 😂😂
Show threadDaniel SchildtJan 30, 2023

@lnbolin Probably they misunderstood the concept of identification in modern commerce. As Wikipedia article notes:

“Similar objections were raised about barcodes upon their introduction.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_of_the_beast

Kind of sad to see how people are driven by fear.

Number of the beast - Wikipedia

Show threadJames M.Jan 28, 2023
@Sheril librarians are also brave defenders of free speech! 😊 Don't mess with the librarians.
Show threadLucy BernholzJan 28, 2023
@Sheril great story!
Show threadTyler MumfordJan 28, 2023
@Sheril Yes! We love our two nearby libraries so much. All the books, events for kids, and community services… just wonderful.
Show threadquixoteJan 28, 2023

@Sheril "Still, somehow, this magical system of exchanging #books & sharing ideas is entirely free."

"Still" doesn't feel right. You mean "because."

Show threadclacke: exhausted pixie dream boy 🇸🇪🇭🇰💙💛Jan 28, 2023
@quixote @Sheril Even though the service is so amazing, it is available to the public free of charge.

That is pretty surprising compared to most things in society, isn't it?

Of course, it being free of charge makes it all the more amazing. Is that what you would like to emphasize? I think we can all agree on that.
Show threadquixoteJan 29, 2023

@clacke @Sheril That's true too. But what I meant was doing things that are free makes doing them feel better.

Social scientists, I'm pretty sure it was in the Netherlands, studied how to structure rewards for open source computer coding. They found that you couldn't. Whenever some form of payment entered into it, people lost motivation and joy in doing it.

Of course, if there's no appreciation and it turns into exploitation and being taken for granted, that turns it off too!

Show threadgmokeJan 28, 2023
@Sheril Every day is Christmas at the library.
Show threadFladdleJan 28, 2023
@Sheril Perhaps this is why they’re clamping down over there. Libraries aren’t in the capitalist system, really. 🤫
Show threadMichael Leask 🇨🇦Jan 28, 2023
@Sheril I’ll have to add this book to my list.
Show threadJack HeinemannJan 28, 2023
@Sheril I read that book!
Show threadSudhirJan 28, 2023
@Sheril. So happy to know👍👏🌹🙏
Show threadJochen FrommJan 28, 2023
@Sheril Nice book. Did you know that Kirschbaum means cherry tree 🍒 in German? Kirschen is the plural of cherries 🍒, and Baum means tree 🌳
Show threadYo Mismo Jan 28, 2023
@Sheril after reading the title the movie "Don't look up" came to my mind.
And yes, we're doomed.
Show threadSheril KirshenbaumJan 28, 2023
@yomismo Excellent film, but far more realistic than most folks probably realize based on my experience working in Congress.
Show threadYo Mismo Jan 28, 2023
@Sheril therefore my phrase: we're doomed.
The more ignorant the people the worst rulers, the title of your book recalled me of that, the movie and the future awaiting for us all.
Show threadCharrveinJan 28, 2023
@Sheril love this book
Cant believe its 14 already
Show threadSheril KirshenbaumJan 28, 2023

@apalsson Thanks so much!

In terms of science & politics, what a strange 14 years it’s been.

Show threadAnn FJan 28, 2023
@Sheril I very much fear that if libraries didn't exist, but somebody came up with the idea today, it would be shouted down as "socialism," "elitism," "unfair competition," and "government overreach." Which is why we need to fight for them.
Show threadLaurie SJan 28, 2023
@Sheril ❤️❤️❤️#library #librarians #freedom 🇺🇸
Show threadScenarioJan 28, 2023
@Sheril Is this book available in Florida school libraries?
Show threaddave martinJan 28, 2023
@Sheril yet the profit police are gunning for libraries and will dismantle them in due course, don’t you worry
Show threadPerceptions TodayJan 29, 2023
@Sheril Fantastic synchronicity. Always as amazes me when these wonderful things happen. Say being delayed and meeting someone by chance because of the delay something is either learned or develop a new friendship because if you had been on time that person would not have crossed your path on that journey.
Show threadPeterD 🇩🇪 🇨🇦Jan 29, 2023
@Sheril Totally agree with your statement -->> "And no matter where you are, librarians are always the kindest, most helpful people you’ll find. Still, somehow, this magical system of exchanging #books & sharing ideas is entirely free." Thank you for sharing. 🙂​
Show threadMikeJan 29, 2023
@Sheril As an Australian, I love interacting with librarians. I always end up discovering something new and interesting to read. Big love to librarians!
Show threadPaul van GulickJan 29, 2023

@Sheril
@internetarchive

Speaking of libraries - and how lovely they are - especially ones that have your book, I have it checked out at the moment at archive.org

https://archive.org/details/unscientificamer0000moon

Unscientific America : how scientific illiteracy threatens our future : Mooney, Chris (Chris C.) : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

xiii, 209 pages ; 25 cm

Internet Archive
Show threadSheril KirshenbaumJan 29, 2023
@paulvg @internetarchive Oh thank you! It still seems quite relevant unfortunately.
Show threadPaul van GulickFeb 4, 2023

@Sheril @internetarchive

So I been reading through your book at a leisurely pace (great read by the way) I have to agree - it's unfortunately more relevant than ever.

Well, one remains ever hopeful.

Show threadSheril KirshenbaumFeb 4, 2023

@paulvg @internetarchive Thank you!

There are a few things I’d change or update all these years later, but the main argument still stands.

Show threadMike 🍁✔Jan 29, 2023
@Sheril Yes, free to users in many countries. Politicians realize that people expect libraries, and that there are benefits to having them. They are a source of knowledge, but also a community centre.