Uncensored Library Banned Journalism Housed In Virtual Minecraft Architecture
When schools prohibit books, the approach often backfires on would-be censors which leads to increased interest around books that are illegal. Similar to when governments restrict the media, organizations such as Reporters Without Borders spearhead efforts to make censored content more prominent. Their Uncensored Library project brings together architecture and journalism in a unique virtual reality world that is the world of interactive gaming of Minecraft.
On the surface, Minecraft is a game of collaborative construction and its low-res design may not seem conducive to elements like: reading articles or even entire books within the game. There are "items" in Minecraft that can be used to create books with an infinite number of pages. Creators can transcribing text into these "books," rendering them legible and downloadable. The books are then put into "chests" and organized in the virtual space for accessibility.
The concept, in part, is to bypass filtered channels. Reporters Without Borders has had some success with this approach including the audio-centric Uncensored Playlist. It bypassed the censors and was operated by music streaming services. In the Uncensored Library, the spatial design allows for easier access to information and allows for other kinds of interaction and creation as well, like memorials to journalists who were killed housed within the library's walls.
James Delaney, Blockworks' project manager, says the style is Classical and formal. It's the same type of architecture that you'd see in the British Museum or New York Public Library. "That was deliberate, as this architectural style is usually used by governments to reinforce their authority positions." The team behind the design "wanted to take this style and change it around. We are using this formal, authoritarian style. However, it's filled instead with free information.
Reporters Without Borders handles the criteria for inclusion, ensuring that the library's content is accurate, truthful sensitive, sensitive and sensitive. Cian Mahar reports. It appears to be working: The library has regular visitors from countries like Russia, Egypt, Mexico and Saudi Arabia where information is not free.
The inside of the library's structure is decorated with flags and maps. Flags are used to highlight areas where censorship has been more severe and assist with the virtual wayfinding in the stacks. The design choices are also designed to attract younger users who are already familiar with Minecraft and also to educate them about information suppression. This isn't a subject that every country will accept. Some are trying to block the main server. Like everything else on the internet when the cat (gif), is out of the bag, it's over. Anyone can download and transfer the entire library to another server at any time.
The Uncensored Library website states: "In many countries, websites social media, social media, and blogs are censored or controlled by oppressive authorities. Young people, in particular are compelled to grow up in a system where their opinions is manipulated by government disinformation campaigns. But even where almost all media is blocked or controlled the most popular computer game is still available.
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