On February 10th, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) went into effect, impacting thrift stores throughout the nation, as this February news report from an Omaha TV station highlights. CPSIA was originally passed to reduce and ideally eliminate lead paint in toys, but its had sweeping repercussions. Used clothes have been removed from shelves for fear of lead in zippers, and even motorbike sales have been curtailedapparently the writers of CPSIA were worried that teenagers would eat their bikes handlebars, or something. And sales of these various products have plummeted, during a time when the nation needs all the help it can get re-strengthening its economy
But perhaps the most worrisome aspect of CPSIA is that its led to books being banned. Lead in printers inks wasnt outlawed until 1985; so books published in 1984 or earlier have had to be removed from used book sellers shelves, and even some libraries. And dont think booksellers havent noticed the ominous sound of that cut-off date.
The latest edition of our Silicon Graffiti videoblog explores the impact of CPSIA, featuring a snippet of my PJM Political interview with Walter Olson of Overlawyered.com, as he discusses his recent City Journal article, titled The New Book Banning. It contrasts the Brave New World nanny state feel of CPSIA with earlier warnings that our history and culture might eventually start to shrink, such as George Orwells 1984, and naturally enough, Ray Bradburys Fahrenheit 451.
Fortunately, at least for now, Big Brother is still allowing us to remain on the airthis is our 28th edition of Silicon Graffiti; click here and start scrolling for the previous segments.
ahh ... that is a very good point I hadn't considered
ironclad452 2 years ago
But only the print of the books are banned, not the actual content. A modern reprint of a childrens classic that was written in 1850 would still be avaliable if the PRINT was done after 1985.
Don't forget that there are other media such as e-books or online libraries where books that have an expired copyright can be downloaded.
We seem to be edging towards an era where the bound book is rapidly becoming a museum piece.
johnnosk 2 years ago
because by then they've got their worldview relatively established. Better to get them YOUNG. I heard a point made, that while made tongue-in-cheek, is still a good one:
"Heather has Two Mommies" was written in 1989
... coincidence?
the PC talk and assault on the family started AFTER '85. This is another liberal attempt to destroy the youth in this country and turn them against their parents
ironclad452 2 years ago
The act only applys to childrens books. Therefore older books for teens and adults should be exempt from the act.
johnnosk 2 years ago