We all know its a big problem in South Africa. Hijacking, theft, even murder by book gangs who make millions re-selling blood novels. That is why South African authorities have added “books” to the list of second hand goods subject to stringent regulation intended to prevent the sale of stolen goods.
Barry Ronge has written an excellent article about the proposal to add books to the list.
It might of course make more sense just to ban books altogether, after all people might read them and start thinking, a process which the proponents of this change clearly don’t believe in.
I think it’s high time someone toured the schools warning children of the dangers of books. Knowledge could kill you much faster than crack or heroin!
Seriously though, it strikes me that South African authorities have too much time on their hands and not nearly enough imagination to put it to good use.