Beyond appalling
Looks like I'm going to have to find some other Internet store to buy my books at now. Bastards.
'Pedophile's Guide' Sparks Angry Criticism of Amazon
(Nov. 10) -- The trend on Twitter today was anger.
A group of Twitterati is upset at Amazon.com for selling a Kindle edition of a book called "The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure."
With all of Twitter's 190-million-plus users as an audience, they let their feelings be known -- in 140 characters or less.
"Dear @Amazon," said one microblogger, using a function that directs the message toward Amazon's own Twitter account, "Free speech doesn't include a written manual on how to exploit, molest and rape our children."
Amazon did not respond to a message from AOL News seeking comment. But in a statement to AOL's Tech Crunch, the retail giant said: " Amazon believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable. Amazon does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts, however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions."
Twitter declined to comment in a message to AOL News.
The book's poorly spelled page on the Amazon website says it aims to make "pedophile situations safer for those juveniles that find themselves involved in them, by establishing certian [sic] rules for these adults to follow."
The Web page lists the publication date as Oct. 28, 2010, and the author as Phillip R. Greaves.
The description also says the author hopes the book will lead to "liter [sic] sentences" for pedophiles.
Dale Austin, chief operating officer of the American Humane Association, told AOL News he was "beyond outraged."
"Amazon is like the local library; it's become that in our Internet world," Austin said. "This is available to anyone and everyone, and that's of grave concern."
Twitter users employed the tag "#amazonfail" to discuss the book. This meant that any user could access the conversation and post an opinion.
Many of the comments included a link and instructions for how to let Amazon know their displeasure. The reviews were soon popping up by the dozen on Amazon.com.
"The author condones adult-child sexual relations and wrote a book about how society is prejudiced toward pedophiles," said one user. "Unbelievable that Amazon even allowed this book to be published."
The Internet has long been seen as a danger to children, as pedophiles can disguise their identity and engage children in conversation away from parental scrutiny.
The reaction to this book seems to be a rare example of the Internet helping to protect children from sexual abuse, Austin said.
"In some respects, it can catch fire and alert society about the problem of this kind of publication being out there," Austin told AOL News.
Social media has become a key marketing tool for musicians, celebrities and sports starts. But for Greaves, it may not prove a happy hunting ground for prospective readers.
"Next they'll place links to the White Supremacist handbook and anorexia for dummies," one micro-blogger wrote.
'Pedophile's Guide' Sparks Angry Criticism of Amazon
(Nov. 10) -- The trend on Twitter today was anger.
A group of Twitterati is upset at Amazon.com for selling a Kindle edition of a book called "The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure."
With all of Twitter's 190-million-plus users as an audience, they let their feelings be known -- in 140 characters or less.
"Dear @Amazon," said one microblogger, using a function that directs the message toward Amazon's own Twitter account, "Free speech doesn't include a written manual on how to exploit, molest and rape our children."
Amazon did not respond to a message from AOL News seeking comment. But in a statement to AOL's Tech Crunch, the retail giant said: " Amazon believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable. Amazon does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts, however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions."
Twitter declined to comment in a message to AOL News.
The book's poorly spelled page on the Amazon website says it aims to make "pedophile situations safer for those juveniles that find themselves involved in them, by establishing certian [sic] rules for these adults to follow."
The Web page lists the publication date as Oct. 28, 2010, and the author as Phillip R. Greaves.
The description also says the author hopes the book will lead to "liter [sic] sentences" for pedophiles.
Dale Austin, chief operating officer of the American Humane Association, told AOL News he was "beyond outraged."
"Amazon is like the local library; it's become that in our Internet world," Austin said. "This is available to anyone and everyone, and that's of grave concern."
Twitter users employed the tag "#amazonfail" to discuss the book. This meant that any user could access the conversation and post an opinion.
Many of the comments included a link and instructions for how to let Amazon know their displeasure. The reviews were soon popping up by the dozen on Amazon.com.
"The author condones adult-child sexual relations and wrote a book about how society is prejudiced toward pedophiles," said one user. "Unbelievable that Amazon even allowed this book to be published."
The Internet has long been seen as a danger to children, as pedophiles can disguise their identity and engage children in conversation away from parental scrutiny.
The reaction to this book seems to be a rare example of the Internet helping to protect children from sexual abuse, Austin said.
"In some respects, it can catch fire and alert society about the problem of this kind of publication being out there," Austin told AOL News.
Social media has become a key marketing tool for musicians, celebrities and sports starts. But for Greaves, it may not prove a happy hunting ground for prospective readers.
"Next they'll place links to the White Supremacist handbook and anorexia for dummies," one micro-blogger wrote.