[john_strinlai]

"banned" just means "not allowed".

it doesn't need to apply globally for something to be banned. it doesn't need to be illegal across the country. something can be banned from a certain place (e.g. a school). it's still correct to say it is banned.

some HNers are so weird when it comes to the word "banned" regarding books, i really dont understand why. its only ever in the context of school/library books. use "ban" in the sense of "banned from the forum" or similar, and no one bats an eye.

why dont people get worked up when tom/dang "ban" someone from HN? they haven't made it illegal for that user to visit HN.

[some_random]

Because they're not "not allowed". With very few exceptions the thing people are freaking out about is books being curated out of libraries, usually for very understandable reasons.

[Guthwine]

'Curated out' not by librarians but by a singular patron challenging the purchase of a certain publication.

[some_random]

If by "singular patron" you mean the administration of the school then I guess so.

[Guthwine]

I doubt that the administration would initiate the removal process with no outside pressure from a parent or maybe some sort of parental group a la the Satanic Panic and BADD [1].

[1] Bothered About Dungeons & Dragons

[john_strinlai]

>Because they're not "not allowed".

...yes? that is the meaning of "ban", so it seems entirely appropriate to use that word

[some_random]

Sorry to tell you this but you've been lied to about these books being banned, as in they are not being banned, they are still allowed.

[john_strinlai]

what does this reply have to do with your misunderstanding about the definition of "ban"?

[some_random]

The books are not banned. Students are allowed to possess the books. Students are allowed to read the books.

[john_strinlai]

our conversation started by discussing the definition of "ban" and people interpreting the word "ban" in a way not written in any dictionary.

but now you are saying "the books" as if we were already talking about specific books. are you sure you are replying to the comment chain you intended to reply to?