just came across this list of the ten most harmful books of the 19th and 20th centuries (via mefi). interesting but also annoying. annoying because it was arrived at by “a panel of 15 conservative scholars and public policy leaders.” not sure weather 15 is a large enough number to form any kind of decent consensus or weather choosing “conservative scholars” allows for a broad enough range of viewpoints but that whole discussion goes nowhere. there are some no brainers represented certainly but what truly blows me away is that introduction to psychoanalysis by sigmund freud barely made the honorable mention?! it may not have lead to bloody bursts of revolution but it has changed our language and way of looking at ourselves. over the long haul i think this book has got to be considered one of the most “harmful” by whatever logic this list adheres to, certainly at least as much as kinsey’s book, i mean come on. Thoughts?

did you know the d.e.a. maintains a helpful little photo gallery of drugs and drug related ephemera? oh yes indeedy. presumably it’s meant as a public service to help, oh i don’t know- concerned parents and middle-school principles let’s say, identify illicit substances. it is hard nowadays with so very many illicit substances and so very many approved substances all mixing about out there. who can tell the difference anymore between a wholesome desperately needed psychological remedy and a filthy, evil, potentially society destroying leisure drug? (more below)