A German-refugee child reads a Superman comic, 1942. Library of Congress.
Book burnings have gone on as long as books have been bound. This event is shocking, in that it was seemingly orchestrated by a young boy. The idea that books impart knowledge is, of course, unnecessary to mention. There are dozens of studies out there equating intelligence with book learning, just by reading more we passively inherit more knowledge. The beauty of this is, we get a more rounded education from readings because they incorporate liberal studies — multiple subjects, perspectives and ideas. There was a reason that Aesop bothered to put down his fables on paper. The Bible, Koran and Torah would not be in existence if those who bothered to bind them didn’t think that reading imparts learning. Reading can be used for bad or good because of that passive absorption.World War II authorities use the reading material extensively to pass the by words of the day, as well as nationalism.
Without guidance and an understanding of the bias of the writer or person/s supplying the written word one is left to assume much. That’s why literature studies is so popular still. This is also why certain groups malign intellectuals. The passing of knowledge, is the gift of power.
Find out more about how comic books slammed into history as a scapegoat and strawman…