Oh, Ethics...

I find reading philosophers very intimidating. One of my classes this semester is Ethics for Information Professionals (or something like that). For just about every reading we have, we write a PRE (Point Reasons Evaluate). Now that's fine...it's busy work and it ensures that we actually do the reading.

But this one paper I had to read is just so long. Wengert says SO much about the ethical aspects of being an information professional, but he says SO much that I really didn't get ANY of it. More than anything, I guess he's saying that in so many professions we get bogged down with ethical codes, that the code is all the institution becomes. However, he also says that while libraries should/can have works like the Marquis de Sade's Justine, it doesn't mean there should be a big display about sadism. So it's a sort of censorship.

I think more than anything whenever censorship pops up into a paper I instantly go into the defense. I'm really concerned with not censoring, especially when it comes to children. I believe that filters on public and school library computers are simply wrong. Children have the same First Amendment rights as any adult. If parents have a problem with what their child is viewing on the Internet, then the parent should be with the child. Librarian's should be their to educate and guide a patron in the right direction, not tell them that something is inappropriate. I'm okay with guidance, just not censoring. But it's almost the same thing. I'm torn.

In other news...I finished the first season of Smallville. I know that Clark has an intense sense of justice, but to leave Chloe at the dance. That kind of pissed me off. And Chloe...I hate how she does the girl thing at the beginning of Season 2 and is all..."yeah I found someone in Metropolis, made me forget all about Smallville and you..." Then she's mad and upset when he's like..."oh yeah, that's cool if you just want to be friends." For real, he even had the sad, puppy dog eyes. When is Lana going to learn that she can't have it all. She can't be jealous of Chloe and Clark while she still has Whitney. Stupid teenagers. I love this show.