![Main_Reading_Room,_State_Library_of_NSW,_Sydney_(NSW)_(7173836598)[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/qpjJ7Ku.jpg "Main_Reading_Room,_State_Library_of_NSW,_Sydney_(NSW)_(7173836598)[1].jpg")
Anyone else think they're a total waste of money?
It's the internet age. We shouldn't be spending billions per annum on these wastes of space. If someone wants to read something, they buy it online.
Explain why we should continue funding libraries. They seem like a total waste of money, especially when you actually visit one and realise it's a wasteland. Nobody fucking goes to them yet we feel its necessary to keep funding them.
It's not a waste of money, and physical copies of books aren't impractical yet, but we certainly shouldn't be subsidizing them.
Just like the postal service or school system. The people that directly benefit from a service should be the ones funding it, taking someone else's money is unethical.
>>77240723
>The people that directly benefit from a service should be the ones funding it
If you had to pay to visit/borrow then they would be even more deserted than they are now.
>>77240931
So what's the issue? If a private library doesn't succeed it doesn't deserve to
>>77241533
Your solution to low library patronage is 'privatise them' which isn't a solution,
>>77240450
Money needs to be spent digitizing the books and other records in the libraries. After that, I dunno.
>>77241712
My solution to an ethical use of taxpayer money is to privatize them, your question was "should we continue funding libraries" and my answer is "no"
If there is a need for libraries the free market is capable and has a better motivation for providing the service
>>77241973
That doesn't work for everything, though. If you do that to the PS then smaller towns won't have access to mail. Same goes for libraries, people need access to computers, print services, etc.
>>77240450
Most libraries offer services above and beyond just letting out books. Stuff like access to computers for poor people, access point for other social services etc.
Plus some of Britain's libraries are in beautiful buildings with great heritage and history. We spunk terrifying amounts of money up the wall for all sorts of pointless shit, at least libraries provide something tangible back.
>>77242393
That is socialism and it is evil
It is not my responsibility to provide someone else with a post office or a printer. Watch Milton Friedman - "Free to choose"
>>77242601
This, all the libraries in my area are essentially community centers.
I don't think they cost too much to operate either, most of them are staffed by only a handful of people. I think the tiny tax burden is worth it to keep these places open.
>>77240450
Well, I buy/ have stolen physical copies of books. I have a library of a few thousand myself
Some of the benefits are: it fulfills my "prepper paranoia" or, I am satisfied that someone with an EMP in the right spot couldn't knock out a large quantity of important knowledge, and also
It makes me look smart
>>77240450
the only waste here is oxygen, on YOU
>>77240450
Better yet, people should be forced to read more books. Or kind like: Read a book, get x amount of internet time. No reading, no internet.
>>77242682
How is socialism evil? It's necessary for every functioning government.
>>77240450
Libraries offer services to poor fags that can't into e-Reader or pay astronomical prices for physical copies.
>>77243044
>I am satisfied that someone with an EMP in the right spot couldn't knock out a large quantity of important knowledge
This is something I've been thinking about too. A solar flare could wipe out all digital knowledge on Earth. We should have at least one physical copy of all important digital information in some safe, accessible place. I think libraries help contribute at least in a small amount to this.
>>77240450
you should be beheaded faggot, please stop infesting the world with your disgusting presence
>>77243256
Socialism is predicated on theft, government redistribution of wealth.
If I am forced to pay for someone else's abortion, I have been stolen from.
In a limited government there is an argument to be made for necessary funding for the few roles of government, like defense and the legislative process.
>>77240450
literally a total pleb post
>>77243620
I hope all people like you end up in a some sort of car crash which results in you getting crippling medical bills and your insurer refuses to pay out on some spurious technicality. Then you can really kick back and enjoy your lack of "socialism".
Disgustingly plebian post
>>77242682
Based
>>77242393
He's right, you know
>>77240450
Serious question.
Do you ever leave your house?
>>77243994
You wish for my suffering because I don't believe in providing amenities to others via the government?
The insurer has a pressing interest to give me fair service so they can continue business, and I wouldn't use one with a history of mistreatment. Why do you think the government, who answers to nobody, can do a better job?
Libraries are still useful and are a very small expense. There are better areas to cut funding than the library.
This thing
>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_storm_of_1859
and
>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_storm_of_2012
this thing right here is the reason why you might just hold on to your physical book copies and stop trusting in that digital information is much safer than paper
>>77243994
>>77240450
Theres still a lot of physical books that arent digital yet. Special editions, volumes and originals should also be secured.
>>77244459
Name one functioning anarchist/minimalist or whatever state.
The best system is the system that makes the most people happy.
If you don't care about other people's happiness, then you can't really say what is the best system, as in not only for yourself.
>>77244459
>You wish for my suffering because I don't believe in providing amenities to others via the government?
Well more or less, yes. I suppose it does sound a little harsh.
I personally believe it provides a much needed and in the context of a rich first world nation, affordable, safety net.
Don't pretend insurers don't fuck people over HARD all the time. Governments fuck up too, but at least they are somewhat accountable.
>>77244459
>>77244740
you have an ID, we can see you posted both replies you mong
>>77245196
>Governments fuck up too, but at least they are somewhat accountable.
lol, quis custodiet ipsos custodes faggot
>>77240450
Just kill yourself jew.
>>77240450
>They seem like a total waste of money, especially when you actually visit one and realise it's a wasteland.
Well there's your problem Mehmet. Here in my town libraries are half full all day. either from researches that need to be there to read manuscripts that are old as hell or the library is populated by students that work on their projects or thesis.
So its a social problem, your people are becoming more and more shit.
>>77245159
I'm not an anarchist, I want a constitutionally limited government
My example is Hong Kong under lax British rule
Do you believe the primary function of government is to make people happy?
>>77245196
>I personally believe
What is this, emotional babby woman hour?
You'd rather have a system where the government (read: all other taxpayers) takes the fall for individual risk, and not a risk-reward system?
>>77245468
Only forgot the picture friendo
>>77240450
Books are immune to censorship unless you burn them
fuck digital media, too easy to manipulate
unless every single book is digitalized you still need some libraries unless you want to lose some scriptures forever, however the state should force digitalization of books in university libraries and compensend the authors, will cost alot of money but will be worth the knowledge, image bein able to go ctrl+f in a whole library, all the time youd safe
and keep the books as backup
>>77240450
>buy books
>online
http:// genDOTlibDOTrusDOTec/
>>77245628
I'm not sure how a watchmen reference applies here, but props on the latin. Makes you look smart and shit Ameribro.
>>77245912
>What is this, emotional babby woman hour?
>You'd rather have a system where the government (read: all other taxpayers) takes the fall for individual risk, and not a risk-reward system?
I would yep, hard for an American to grasp I know.
>>77242682
No it's not socialism you retard.
>>77245913
Here in the states they just remove them if the words and ideas within are deemed "offensive" by our liberal moral betters.
There are classics that have been removed from school and public libraries for no other reason than feels. Tom sawyer, moby dick, there are more but im not looking it up...
>>77243994
I already witnessed a case of that. A misguided dutch lolbertarian was diagnosed a rare condition that made him a crippled. He quicly changed his mind, since now he is dependent of state money(or even dead).
Most of them are underages, don't mind them
>>77240450
You are a waste of money, OP.
Kill yourself please.
Libraries are a place of learning, they are not just a book depository. In todays world they are a dying phenomenon, a place where people converge to become less retarded and not to get fucked up or indoctrinated.
>>77240450
>No one goes
Students and adults are always at my local library working, studying and reading. It's quite well kept and amateur artists from around the area keep the scenery somewhat fresh. Hell, even niggers visit the public library. There's no reason not defund it.
>>77240450
A piece of software 10 years old is not compatible with modern software, a book 10 years old can be read like any other book.
Written storage will always have purpose.
>>77246298
>moby dick
Wait what?
With immune to censorship i mean books are physical objects that cant be completely deleted from the world
With all digital media it is as easy as pressing CTRL-A Delete
>>77245159
France before the French Revolution. Minus the part functional
>>77246212
You guys have 500 different names for taking other people's shit. To normal people, it's just called socialism.
>>77245912
>Do you believe the primary function of government is to make people happy?
Of course. Why should i surrender my liberties if i get nothing in return?
>>77246528
>A piece of software 10 years old is not compatible with modern software
Yeah if you're retarded...
WAIT.
10 FUCKING YEARS? Are you fucking STUPID? Holy shit you have no idea how software works or progresses do you?
Software from 2006 doesn't work in 2016? Are you seriously trying to tell me this?
>>77243423
Do you print out dank memes to preserve for future generations?
>tfw libraries are dying
As someone who works at an antique bookstore and does private work for libraries and museums, this truly saddens me.
>>77245912
>Do you believe the primary function of government is to make people happy?
Nah, but what makes a good system, is the system that makes the most people happy. I am pretty sure that the average guy in Hong Kong did not have it great.
I am against government in the way that you can't chose to withdraw from society, and be independent if you want (as there is no free land left). But I am sure as hell against that some wealthy individuals should replace the state, and provide people with health care/welfare at their mercy.
>>77246777
>Why should i surrender my liberties
You shouldn't!
>>77246784
>autism
>>77246777
You shouldn't surrender your liberties cucking fuck
>>77242682
Some globalist kike? Go to hell.
>>77246773
Socialism is a system in when the workers own the means of production.
State expenditure is not socialism, you fucker
>>77246298
And many other were removed thanks to christian fundamentalists. I think american is very prone to censorship
>>77246995
Liberties? What liberty?
What 'right' to life has a man who is drowning in the Pacific? The ocean will not hearken to his cries. What 'right' to life has a man who must die to save his children? If he chooses to save his own life, does he do so as a matter of 'right'? If two men are starving and cannibalism is the only alternative to death, which man's right is 'unalienable'? And is it 'right'? As to liberty, the heroes who signed the great document pledged themselves to buy liberty with their lives. Liberty is never unalienable; it must be redeemed regularly with the blood of patriots or it always vanishes. Of all the so-called natural human rights that have ever been invented, liberty is least likely to be cheap and is never free of cost. The third 'right'?—the 'pursuit of happiness'? It is indeed unalienable but it is not a right; it is simply a universal condition which tyrants cannot take away nor patriots restore. Cast me into a dungeon, burn me at the stake, crown me king of kings, I can 'pursue happiness' as long as my brain lives—but neither gods nor saints, wise men nor subtle drugs, can ensure that I will catch it.
>>77246823
Some memes are better off lost in the sands of time.
>>77246784
I know I was wrong but you're missing the point. Software becomes outdated and either requires emulation which is imperfect or the original hardware.
The written word doesn't become outdated.
>>77243620
Normal societies before Jewish Austrian economics, libertarian bullshit realized the need to help each other via the state.
You bought the lies of globalists who seek to weaken western civ.
>>77247127
>Socialism is a system in when the workers own the means of production.
>State expenditure is not socialism, you fucker
Who gives a shit? It's socialism.
>>77240450
I'm actually sick of reading on my tablet, my eyes and brain can't take it anymore.
Books ftw
>>77244459
The insurer has a pressing interest to cut you off with a loophole because they'll never make their money back.
>>77247215
Any software worth using will become updated.
>>77240450
They had a purpose but you are right not anymore.
The Internet is a total waste of money and it's wasting humanity
>>77246898
But i do get something in return. When i am sick there are people who know what they are doing it and help me out. There are cops that protect me from people tougheer then me. There are services that educated me. I am happy with my state of affairs, although it could be much better
>>77246995
But you do. When you post here you surrender you freedom to post cp and porn and other things, and in return you get to post here. It's called living in society, but autists can't understand it
>>77247343
This, if I wasn't addicted to /pol/ I wouldn't be on here.
>>77240450
So you're OK with EMPs being able to wipe out the sum total of human knowledge?
>>77247537
>But i do get something in return.
Caged dog brags about getting free food.
>>77247308
>I'm being retard, and there is nothing you can do about it, hahaha
>USA USA USA USA USA USA USA !!!!!!!!!!!
>>77240450
>only use internet/computers
>power goes out
uh
>>77247699
I do. And it feels awesome.
So why are you on your basement on not in the wilds, hunting for living and building your own shelter?
>>77241903
This, e-readers and tablets are a million times more convenient to read on anyhow, but don't dare lose all that content. We don't need another Library of Alexandria-type event.
>>77247422
The preservation of knowledge is more important than usefulness.
>>77240450
there will always be a need for books.
digital media are too easy to destroy
>>77248330
Physical media is far easier to destroy.
Especially given the cost of copying digital media vs physical.
Is not reading physical books and supporting your local library degenerate? Yes, yes it is. Go read a bookyou faggots
>>77248510
Physical media however will last far longer than digital media.
>>77248510
try burning a whole library worth of books and tell me that's easier as breaking a HDD
>>77240450
Because a power outage would take all your knowledge with it unless you still had books lying around.
Books will never go obsolete until we find another way of storing knowledge that doesn't require limited resources or is easily perishable.
>>77240450
>Anyone else think they're a total waste of money?
They are a waste of space and money, yes.
>>77243195
free copies of communist manifesto and das kapital for everyone, that's how we end class war
>Its comfier to read book than screen
>Paper has more reliability than electronics and survives longer
>Some people don't know how to use computers
>You'll need electronic device and power to access digital version
>A lot of books have other values than the content and a lot of them have not been digitalized yet
Most libraries also subscribe to loads of magazines and academic journals that you can access online free of charge.
>>77240450
I got asked to leave my local library for moving the Quran to the horror section.
Cunts.
>>77250036
>Not moving it to fiction
>>77250551
People play Quidditch IRL m8
>>77240450
Many (most of) books or scripts and other papres are still in analog form, waiting to being scanned, some of them in a very bad state, so they need much more time. It will take decades to process all of this.
Plus - keeping everything only in digital form is not practical. Too easy to destroy. (But easier to keep and backup)
>>77251120
They fly on magical broomsticks/ carpets too?
>>77240450
Of course the uneducated and unhygenic half mudslime britbonger thinks knowlege and information a waste of money. Libraries arent toothpaste you inbreeding islander.
>>77252251
No, but I went to a Derren Brown performance once and he somehow managed to guess (correctly) that a guy fucked his arm up by playing Quidditch
>free literature is a waste
No wonder Western society is fucked.
>>77252369
>>77252251
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPnnxc1Dfm0
Where else am I supposed to register to vote?
>>77252861
>The stick betwenn their legs
This is surely a ironic video
>>77240450
Burn yourself.
sage
>>77240450
There are millions of texts that are not digitized.
Digitization is a very lengthy and costly process.
You fucking mongoloid.
>>77240450
They are a quiet and peaceful lace to study, you have to appreciate the atmosphere. And it is a lot more conventional reading from a book rather than an electronic screen.
>>77240450
Remove all written records of history. Be shocked when history is re-written in digital form.
>>77240450
Yeah, with e-ink book readers and tablets the physical books are just a hippie and oldfags stuff, should be replaced for the good of all.
