Questions and Opinions

I may only be a student and not a scholar of any sort, but I have got questions and I have my opinions.

Information is crucial. Knowledge is power. However, some people may contend that certain information/knowledge is impractical and inconsequential to us, even harmful. But how do you filter this information? How could you tell that some information are of no benefit to you? On whose so-called authority would you ban books, prevent others from exploring alternative ideas and determine what is good and what is not for the society?

It really is tedious when knowledge is treated as a mere commodity-those who are considered to have more knowledge perceive themselves to be in a superior position than others on a particular subject. Knowledge should be free for all. Although it is true that knowledge can also act as currency-those who possess more knowledge incidentally possess more authority; in the sense that his voice is better heard, his words are better heeded, and his opinions are better valued.

Knowledge is not owned by anybody, therefore in this regard, a teacher must not seek merely to impart knowledge to their students, but they must create the culture of discussion, of 'giving and taking' knowledge. They must realise that although they may have the authority, they possess none of the superiority.

Everyone is free to question everything. Everyone is free to contradict everyone else. Everyone is free to give their opinions. 

However, opinions backed by extensive reading and credible research have greater merit than those without. We should respect teachers and scholars but in no way we should feel powerless to question them. We can have our questions but we also must be genuinely interested to learn.

There is no need whatsoever to burn or ban books. The presence of multiple ideas in a society will not be detrimental to its well-being, instead it will be enriching. It will develop the society's maturity. People can compare different items and ideas, and they should be allowed to do that in the same way an adult is free to make their own choices regarding their own life. No one has the superiority to stifle one's desire to learn, much less dictate what they should or should not learn.