Chosen as one of the best books of 2022 by the Financial Times and the Telegraph. Longlisted for the Moore Prize for Human Rights Writing 'Compelling, powerful and necessary.' Shoshana Zuboff, author of The Age of Surveillance Capitalism 'Fascinating' Guardian Without a moment's pause, we share our most intimate thoughts with trillion-dollar tech companies. Their algorithms categorize us and jump to troubling conclusions about who we are. They also shape our everyday thoughts, choices and actions - from who we date to whether we vote. But this is just the latest front in an age-old struggle. Part history and part manifesto, Freedom to Think explores how the powerful have always sought to influence how we think and what we buy. Connecting the dots from Galileo to Alexa, human rights lawyer Susie Alegre charts the history and fragility of our most important human right: freedom of thought. Filled with shocking case-studies across politics, criminal justice, and everyday life, this ground-breaking book shows how our mental freedom is under threat like never before. Bold and radical, Alegre argues that only by recasting our human rights for the digital age can we safeguard our future.

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1883 Edition.

This is a work of nonfiction plus some speculation. It's largely about drones and their very rapid miniaturization, their present and coming use in law enforcement and war, and a potential future in which spy and communication equipment will literally be the size of dust motes, almost impossible to see and impossible to escape.
It's also about the complete lack of privacy that is coming in the future.
Parts of the book are encouraging, detailing how such devices will help rescue people after disasters, help people escape the control of repressive governments, and simply communicate more easily with one another. But most of the book is chilling indeed, portraying a future that will be very, very different from our past.
What's really important is that this is NOT a work of science fiction. Many of the devices described here either exist already or are in the development stage.
No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, you need to read this book, because to know the future is to help yourself prepare for it.

The author argues that not only Ancient philosophers and political thinkers of the Age of Enlightenment saw the guiding and prominent role of educated elites and their censorship of thoughts and mores of the rest as an important factor in preserving Liberty in society. Such an argument was also an essential part of the Founding Fathers' reasoning. The resulting "Aristocratic Constitution" (in terms of Anti-Federalists) was meant to limit imprudence of the general populace, in particular that which was influenced by the autocratic, Bible-centered political ideology of the Puritan, Calvinist sects. When the paternalistic social model of the Founders was over-throned during the Civil War, which was effectively a coup d'etat of the Big Capital supported by Puritans who saw commonalities between their self-reliance doctrine and the new unrestricted predatory capitalism ideology, original mechanisms of the Founders' Constitution had begun to work against Liberty. The firm hold on the power by the union of the Big Capital and Evangelicals was briefly and indecisively interrupted by the Progressivist ideas of the New Deal, but now it is precipitously strengthening again. In such conditions the unrestricted Freedom of Speech and Expressions, guarded not exclusively from the infringements of the Government, but also from the Special Interest Groups and individuals, is the only way to save our deteriorating Liberty.

Covering topics ranging from web filters to laws aimed at preventing the flow of information, this book explores freedom-and censorship-of the Internet and considers the advantages and disadvantages of policies at each end of the spectrum. Combining reference entries with perspective essays, this timely book undertakes an impartial exploration of Internet censorship, examining the two sides of the debate in depth. On the one side are those who believe censorship, to a greater or lesser degree, is acceptable; on the other are those who play the critical role of information freedom fighters. In Internet Censorship: A Reference Handbook, experts help readers understand these diverse views on Internet access and content viewing, revealing how both groups do what they do and why. The handbook shares key events associated with the Internet's evolution, starting with its beginnings and culminating in the present. It probes the motivation of newsmakers like Julian Assange, the Anonymous, and WikiLeaks hacker groups, and of risk-takers like Private Bradley Manning. It also looks at ways in which Internet censorship is used as an instrument of governmental control and at the legal and moral grounds cited to defend these policies, addressing, for example, why the governments of China and Iran believe it is their duty to protect citizens by filtering online content believed to be harmful. Introduces key concepts and traces the evolution of Internet censorship from its earliest days Shows how anti-censorship groups-including the American Civil Liberties Union, the OpenNet Initiative, Reporters Without Borders, Anonymous, WikiLeaks, and the Censorware Project-band together to fight for freedom of information Explores the role of American businesses in facilitating Internet censorship abroad Shares opinions on Internet freedom versus Internet censorship from experts in a range of fields, including criminology, political science, philosophy, and psychology Includes an overview of Internet usage and penetration rates by region and an examination of the Freedom on the Net 2012 findings

A collaboration between an attorney and an animal protection advocate, this work utilises the extremely controversial and high-profile "crush video" case, US v. Stevens, to explore how American society attempts to balance the protection of free speech and the prevention of animal cruelty. Starting from the detailed case study of a single prominent ruling, the authors provide a masterful survey of important issues facing society in the area of animal welfare. The Stevens case included various "hot topic" elements connected to the role of government as arbiter of public morality, including judicial attitudes to sexual deviance and dogfighting.

For some, he was "America's leading smut king," hauled into court repeatedly over thirty years for peddling obscene publications through the mail. But when Samuel Roth appealed a 1956 conviction, he forced the Supreme Court to finally come to grips with a problem that had plagued both American society and constitutional law for longer than he had been in business. For while the facts of "Roth v. United States" were unexceptional, its constitutional issues would define the relationship of obscenity to the First Amendment.

The Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in "Roth" for the first time tried to definitively rule on the issue of obscenity in American life and law--and failed. In this first book-length examination of the case, Whitney Strub lays out the history of obscenity's meaning as a legal concept, highlights the influence of antivice crusaders like Anthony Comstock and John Sumner, and chronicles the shadowy career that led Roth to spend nearly a decade of his life imprisoned for the allegedly obscene materials that he sent through the mails. Strub then unwraps the events that produced "Roth v. United States," placing the trial in the context of its times--the Kinsey Reports, the Kefauver hearings, free speech debates--by using Roth's own private papers along with the records of the various prosecutions and the memos of the justices.

The significance of "Roth," as Strub reveals, lay in the two faces of Justice William Brennan's majority opinion--which on the one hand reflected the liberalizing attitude toward sexual matters in mid-century America, but on the other kept "obscene" expressions beyond First Amendment protection. Because that ruling points up the contradictions of a society where the prurient and repressive commingle uncomfortably, Strub shows how Roth says much more about American sexual values than Brennan's written words necessarily acknowledged.

In our era of internet pornography and "Fifty Shades of Grey," it may be difficult to imagine a time when obscenity was a matter for the courts. As Strub tracks the legacy of "Roth" and obscenity law through the ongoing policing of acceptable sexuality into the twenty-first century, his riveting narrative brings those times to life and helps readers navigate the fine line between what is socially acceptable and what is criminally obscene.

For some, he was "America's leading smut king," hauled into court repeatedly over thirty years for peddling obscene publications through the mail. But when Samuel Roth appealed a 1956 conviction, he forced the Supreme Court to finally come to grips with a problem that had plagued both American society and constitutional law for longer than he had been in business. For while the facts of "Roth v. United States" were unexceptional, its constitutional issues would define the relationship of obscenity to the First Amendment.

The Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in "Roth" for the first time tried to definitively rule on the issue of obscenity in American life and law--and failed. In this first book-length examination of the case, Whitney Strub lays out the history of obscenity's meaning as a legal concept, highlights the influence of antivice crusaders like Anthony Comstock and John Sumner, and chronicles the shadowy career that led Roth to spend nearly a decade of his life imprisoned for the allegedly obscene materials that he sent through the mails. Strub then unwraps the events that produced "Roth v. United States," placing the trial in the context of its times--the Kinsey Reports, the Kefauver hearings, free speech debates--by using Roth's own private papers along with the records of the various prosecutions and the memos of the justices.

The significance of "Roth," as Strub reveals, lay in the two faces of Justice William Brennan's majority opinion--which on the one hand reflected the liberalizing attitude toward sexual matters in mid-century America, but on the other kept "obscene" expressions beyond First Amendment protection. Because that ruling points up the contradictions of a society where the prurient and repressive commingle uncomfortably, Strub shows how Roth says much more about American sexual values than Brennan's written words necessarily acknowledged.

In our era of internet pornography and "Fifty Shades of Grey," it may be difficult to imagine a time when obscenity was a matter for the courts. As Strub tracks the legacy of "Roth" and obscenity law through the ongoing policing of acceptable sexuality into the twenty-first century, his riveting narrative brings those times to life and helps readers navigate the fine line between what is socially acceptable and what is criminally obscene.

This book is written with the aim of understanding the intrinsic features of the Act and its impact on the functioning of Armed Forces. The attempt of the author is to outline importance of the Right to Information Act 2005 which is empowering ordinary citizens to procure information from public authorities. Armed Forces have not been included in the second schedule of RTI Act which exempts few organisations from the purview of RTI Act 2005; hence RTI Act is also equally applicable to all three services of the Armed Forces being Central Government Organisations. The author has aptly covered nuances of the RTI Act and its implications for the Armed Forces. He has meticulously covered various illustrations and case studies supported with number of decisions of the Central Information Commission and its application to Armed Forces. These supplements have made the book reading more interesting and can act as a reference in future.

"Boarding Parties is the fourth in a series of anthologies of columns, reviews, and essays about the American condition, covering politics, Islam, freedom of speech, and the culture

America's Free Speech is under systematic assault. President Obama himself is the Serial Abuser-in-Chief, and his assault is being conducted on many fronts with a multitude of means, both overt and covert. The goal is no less than the minimization if not elimination of dissent from his top-down agenda. The First Amendment was never intended to be a social engineering project, but treating it as such is as natural to a Statist as any other governmentally dictated program. This book details Obama's War on America's most important political right.

Sex, Race, and Politics: Free Speech on Campus provides a highly entertaining and academic look at free speech and association issues on the college campus. The presentation of the legal material mixed in with humorous fact patterns makes analysis of the cutting edge campus speech issues enjoyable. Each section includes in-depth discussion questions to encourage a deeper engagement and understanding of the text. Readers will come away with a command of the free speech rights of students and teachers, as well as understanding the meaning and implications of sexual and racial laws as applied in the school setting.

" Keith Fink is a leading authority on harassment laws and free speech issues. He is an active trial lawyer, international speaker, and Professor at UCLA and Southwestern Law School. Professor Fink was a three-time National College Debate Champion while at UCLA. He is the founder of the law firm Fink & Steinberg which has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Macau. His practice focuses on Employment and Business Litigation. He speaks frequently on a variety of legal topics including the law on sexual harassment and is routinely retained to train on sexual harassment and investigate sexual harassment complaints.

There is arguably no arena more contentious in the battle over intellectual freedom (IF) than the public library. When confronted with challenges like censorship and policy disputes, public librarians and paraprofessionals need reliable how-to guidance, and Pinnell-Stephens offers exactly that in this valuable resource. Chock-full of case studies, real-life examples, and hypothetical scenarios, this book provides An easy and thoroughly engaging way to introduce new employees to basic IF concepts Incisive analysis of how IF plays out in the world of public libraries Practical advice on how to effectively handle intellectual freedom challenges Numerous sidebars, written by IF expert Deborah Caldwell-Stone, detailing copyright laws, statutes, past court cases, and sample policies A concise summary of what s at stake and how to react, Protecting Intellectual Freedom in Your Public Library will prepare public library personnel to face the issues at hand.

Having observed that there is no reason whatever for the exemption of Literature, let us now turn to the case of Art. Every picture hung in a gallery, every statue placed on a pedestal, is exposed to the public stare of a mixed company. Why, then, have we no Censorship to protect us from the possibility of encountering works that bring blushes to the cheek of the young person?

In 2005, the Australian Federal Police referred eight Islamic books to the Australian Classification Board. The goal was to secure a ban of the books, all of which were alleged to advocate 'terrorist acts'. After nearly a year of review, and intense public debate, two of the books were refused classification and effectively banned in a move that would have severe repercussions for librarians, scholars, authors and the state of free speech in Australia. Banning Islamic Books in Australia examines the cultural and political contexts that led up to the ban, and the content of the books themselves in an attempt to determine what it was that made them seem so dangerous. It also documents the unintended consequences of the ban on library collections and academic freedom, and how this in turn affects free speech in contemporary Australia.

This collection of thirteen new essays is the first to examine, from a range of disciplinary perspectives, how the new technologies and global reach of the Internet are changing the theory and practice of free speech. The rapid expansion of online communication, as well as the changing roles of government and private organizations in monitoring and regulating the digital world, give rise to new questions, including: How do philosophical defenses of the right to freedom of expression, developed in the age of the town square and the printing press, apply in the digital age? Should search engines be covered by free speech principles? How should international conflicts over online speech regulations be resolved? Is there a right to be forgotten that is at odds with the right to free speech? How has the Internet facilitated new speech-based harms such as cyber-stalking, twitter-trolling, and revenge porn, and how should these harms be addressed? The contributors to this groundbreaking volume include philosophers, legal theorists, political scientists, communications scholars, public policy makers, and activists.

Thirty years ago, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) made a fateful decision: to allow newspapers, magazines, television, and radio stations to compete in the marketplace instead of being financed exclusively by the government. The political and social implications of that decision are still unfolding as the Chinese government, media, and public adapt to the new information environment. Edited by Susan Shirk, one of America's leading experts on contemporary China, this collection of essays brings together a who's who of experts-Chinese and American-writing about all aspects of the changing media landscape in China. In detailed case studies, the authors describe how the media is reshaping itself from a propaganda mouthpiece into an agent of watchdog journalism, how politicians are reacting to increased scrutiny from the media, and how television, newspapers, magazines, and Web-based news sites navigate the cross-currents between the open marketplace and the CCP censors. China has over 360 million Internet users, more than any other country, and an astounding 162 million bloggers. The growth of Internet access has dramatically increased the information available, the variety and timeliness of the news, and its national and international reach. But China is still far from having a free press. As of 2008, the international NGO Freedom House ranked China 181 worst out of 195 countries in terms of press restrictions, and Chinese journalists have been aptly described as "dancing in shackles." The recent controversy over China's censorship of Google highlights the CCP's deep ambivalence toward information freedom. Covering everything from the rise of business media and online public opinion polling to environmental journalism and the effect of media on foreign policy, Changing Media, Changing China reveals how the most populous nation on the planet is reacting to demands for real news.

Having observed that there is no reason whatever for the exemption of Literature, let us now turn to the case of Art. Every picture hung in a gallery, every statue placed on a pedestal, is exposed to the public stare of a mixed company. Why, then, have we no Censorship to protect us from the possibility of encountering works that bring blushes to the cheek of the young person?

Forbidden Fruit: The Censorship of Literature and Information for Young People was a two day conference held in Southport, UK in June 2008. This collection of papers from the conference will be of interest to teachers, school and public librarians, publishers, and other professionals involved in the provision of literature and information resources for young people, as well as to researchers and students. The proceedings draw together some of the latest research in this area from a number of fields, including librarianship, education, literature, and linguistics. The topics covered include translations and adaptations, pre-censorship by authors, publishers and editors, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans) materials, and the views of young people themselves. The papers included in the proceedings deal with a wide range of issues. Research student Lucy Pearson takes a historical perspective, considering the differences in the way in which two titles, Young Mother in the 1960s and Forever in the 1970s, handle the theme of teenage sexuality. John Harer from the United States and Elizabeth Chapman and Caroline Wright from the UK also deal with the controversial issue of teenage sexuality. Both papers are concerned with the censorship of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and trans) materials for young people, especially referring to issues faced by librarians in dealing with such resources in their respective countries. Another writer to examine the issue from a librarianship perspective is Wendy Stephens, who reports on her action research into students reactions to book banning and censorship in the context of a twelfth-grade English literature research project. Taking one step back fromthe question of access to controversial materials, Cherie Givens reports on her doctoral research examining the often neglected issue of pre-censorship-- that is, restrictions which take place, usually as a result of pressure from editors and publishers, before materials reach the library shelves. Showing a different side of the publishing industry, Christopher Gruppetta writes from the perspective of a publisher keen to promote young adult fiction in Malta. His article demonstrates the huge strides which can take place in a relatively short period of time, even in a religiously conservative country. Talks by young adult authors were also included in the conference programme. Ioanna Kaliakatsou considers how self-censorship is exercised by authors and how attitudes have changed since the early twentieth century. Yet another point at which works might be censored is when they are translated or adapted. Evangelia Moula focuses on censorship in adaptations of classic Greek tragedies, while Helen T. Frank examines Australian childrens fiction translated into French to highlight the process of purification or sanitization that can occur during translations.