Notes

Uncensored Library Banned Journalism Housed In Virtual Minecraft Architecture

Schools that ban books frequently result in a backlash on the censors who would be. This can lead to a greater curiosity about illicit literature. Reporters Without Borders, a group that promotes the public's access to media that is that are restricted by governments, is leading efforts to make these materials more prominent. Their Uncensored Library project brings together architecture and journalism in an unlikely virtual reality space that is the world of interactive gaming of Minecraft.



On the surface, Minecraft is a game of collaboration and its low-res design may not seem appropriate for elements such as reading articles or even complete books in-game. There are "items" in Minecraft that can be used to create books with an unlimited number of pages. These "books" can be transliterated by creators which makes them easily accessible and downloadable. The books are then placed in "chests" and organized in the virtual space for accessibility.



A key aspect of the concept is to bypass normal filtering channels. Reporters Without Borders has had some success with this approach like the audio-centric Uncensored Playlist. It bypassed censors and operated through music streaming services. In the Uncensored Library, the spatial design makes finding material easier, and also permits other ways of interaction and creation in addition, such as memorials to journalists who were killed located within the library's walls.
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"The style is Classical and formal, the type of architecture that you'd find in the British Museum and New York Public Library," says the project's lead James Delaney of Blockworks. "That was deliberate, because this type of architecture is often used by governments to reinforce their authority positions." The design team "wanted to take this and turn it on its head. We're using this formal, authoritarian style. However, it's stuffed with free information.



Reporters Without Borders handles the criteria for inclusion, ensuring that the library's content is accurate, truthful, sensitive, and sensitive. Cian Mahar reports. It seems to be working: The library is receiving regular visitors from countries such as Russia, Egypt, Mexico and Saudi Arabia where information is not free.



The inside of the virtual library's architecture is decorated with maps and flags. These flags help to highlight areas where censorship has been more severe and assist with virtual wayfinding within the library's stacks. The design choices are designed to attract younger users who are already familiar with Minecraft and to help them learn about the issue of information suppression. Some countries aren't accepting this as a given Some are fighting back, trying to ban the main server. Like everything else on the internet, once the cat (gif), is out of the bag, it's over. Anyone can download and reupload the entire library to a different server at anytime.



From the Uncensored Library website: "In many countries, websites as well as social media and blogs are controlled by oppressive rulers. Particularly, young people are compelled to be raised in systems where their opinion is heavily manipulated by governmental disinformation campaigns. Although the majority of media outlets are either shut down or controlled, the most effective computer game in the world is still accessible.


Website: https://deepspaceii.com/