This commentary is available both as text and video. They are similar but not identical. Enjoy both, or either.
Hi, I’m Kevin Coupe and this is FaceTime with the Content Guy.
I was interested this week to see that the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom was out with its annual list of what it calls its Top Ten List of Frequently Challenged Books - which is to say books that have been formally challenged in writing by citizens or groups because, according to them, the content is inappropriate.
Now, I’m going to be honest here. I do not know all these books. And I’d be willing to bet that some of them probably are inappropriate to certain age groups ... and ought not be in the kids section of the library.
That said, I was amazed that there are people out there who think that “To Kill A Mockingbird” deserves to be challenged. Or “Brave New World.” And while I’ve not read the books, the “Hunger Games” trilogy? Really?
First of all, I don’t trust anyone who tries to get books removed from the library. Especially books like these.
Especially these days, when the odds are pretty good that most kids are exposed to things far more distressing - on the internet, on cable TV and in video games - than “To Kill A Mockingbird.”
This is something we all need to come to grips with, both personally and professionally.
Our kids are exposed to far more than we ever were, and our customers know a lot more than we think they do. I think it is better to deal with it than to try to fight it.
From a business perspective, marketers simply have to accept the fact that customers have access to a massive amount of information, and are influenced by a wide range of sources, most of which they have no influence over and many of which they don’t even know about. This affects their shopping behavior - sometimes it makes them ask questions about Pink Slime, and sometimes it has them counting Weight Watchers points. Regardless, one has to accept the fact that this is happening, and become part of the conversation.
I remember when I was in high school, I wanted to see “Easy Rider,” which was rated R. So my dad took me. Now, this was way out of character ... my dad did not particularly like the movies, wasn’t always that thrilled with me, and would not under any other circumstances have gone to see that movie. I can’t even imagine what he was thinking when he saw it. But he was smart enough to know that it was better to share the experience than not. Obviously, more than four decades later, I remember it.
Nothing is as it was. We have to deal with that.
Besides...”To Kill A Mockingbird”? Give me a break...
That’s what is on my mind this Thursday morning. As always, I want to know what is on your mind...
You can catch up on all KC’s “FaceTime” commentaries on MNB’s YouTube channel, which you can access by clicking here.
- KC's View:
