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This Library In Minecraft Was Built By 24 People To Fight Censorship Across The World
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This Library In Minecraft Was Built By 24 People To Fight Censorship Across The World

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Most of us live in countries where freedom of speech is considered a fundamental human right and it would be hard to imagine living in a different state than that. However, not all of us are blessed with this sometimes overlooked right as there are a number of countries in this world where governments actively censor their citizens, especially those whose profession is to report facts. Journalists.

In a number of places around the world, journalists are banned, jailed, exiled, and even killed for their words. In order to make their message heard and reach the places where they’re banned, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) opened a special type of library that could reach millions. They built it in Minecraft.

The creators reason their choice by explaining the library’s accessibility: “Reporters Without Borders (RSF) used this backdoor to build “The Uncensored Library”: a library that is now accessible on an open server for Minecraft players around the globe. The library is filled with books containing articles that were censored in their country of origin. These articles are now available again within Minecraft—hidden from government surveillance technology inside a computer game. The books can be read by everyone on the server, but their content cannot be changed. The library is growing, with more and more books being added to overcome censorship.”

More info: uncensoredlibrary.com

The Uncensored Library is a project aiming to provide free access to information in areas where censorship exists

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The virtual library opened its doors on the 12th of March to mark the World Day Against Cyber Censorship. This campaign uses the hashtag #TruthFindsAWay to encourage people to share their thoughts as well as spread the message about anti-censorship efforts.
Journalists from 5 different countries (Egypt, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam) where their word has been silenced now have a chance to be heard again. “Their articles have now been republished as Minecraft books in English and the articles’ original language and are available in countries that censored their works,” the project representatives explained.

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RSF collaborated with BlockWorks to create this stunning piece. “The library was built over 3 months, and is made from over 12.5 million blocks. It took 24 builders from 16 different countries over 250 hours to design and create the library. The library’s main dome is nearly 300 metres wide, which would make it the second largest in the world.”

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Why did they choose Minecraft? The representatives explained that a huge part of their reasoning was based on just how popular Minecraft is with younger generations. Over a hundred million people play the game even today, despite it being over 10 years old.
The library creators explained how they managed to combine the game mechanics with their message:
“Minecraft is an open-world game where players can explore an intentionally blocky, pixelated world. Here they can discover and extract raw materials, craft tools, build structures, and cooperate with other players. The game’s creative mode is often described as ‘digital Lego’ and is being used in educational environments. Part of Minecraft’s gameplay is gathering and crafting items, such as books. Minecraft books have 100 pages and can be written freely. Other players can read them but cannot change the content of the books on the server.”

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The virtual library, while giving access to free information, also draws attention to a serious problem:
“In 2019 alone, 39 journalists and 10 citizen journalists got killed and currently there are 228 journalists and 120 citizen journalists imprisoned. These are alarming numbers. At the turn of the 21st century, nearly half of the world population still lacks access to free information. Deprived of essential knowledge and manipulated by disinformation, they are prevented from living in a political system in which factual truth serves as the basis for their life choices.”

You can watch the video about the library below

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Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

Author, Community member

Read more »

As a writer and image editor for Bored Panda, Giedrė crafts posts on many different topics to push them to their potential. She's also glad that her Bachelor’s degree in English Philology didn’t go to waste (although collecting dust in the attic could also be considered an achievement of aesthetic value!) Giedrė is an avid fan of cats, photography, and mysteries, and a keen observer of the Internet culture which is what she is most excited to write about. Since she's embarked on her journalistic endeavor, Giedrė has over 600 articles under her belt and hopes for twice as much (fingers crossed - half of them are about cats).

Read less »
Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

Author, Community member

As a writer and image editor for Bored Panda, Giedrė crafts posts on many different topics to push them to their potential. She's also glad that her Bachelor’s degree in English Philology didn’t go to waste (although collecting dust in the attic could also be considered an achievement of aesthetic value!) Giedrė is an avid fan of cats, photography, and mysteries, and a keen observer of the Internet culture which is what she is most excited to write about. Since she's embarked on her journalistic endeavor, Giedrė has over 600 articles under her belt and hopes for twice as much (fingers crossed - half of them are about cats).

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Prince Maroochy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW! It must have taken so much work- not only to build the library and the island, but also to type up all those books!!! It's incredible that people are willing to put so much time into something for the betterment of the world. :)

NeverGoWoke
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That library is incredible and for such a good cause that so many people take for granted. Something like that usually take a few years - 3 months is crazy! Amazing work!

CelSlade
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great idea, love it. But, I have questions: 1) How will those journalists become aware of this resource? 2) Have you not just made those restrictive regimes aware of this super-subversive library?

Electric Ed
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1) by reading bored panda 2) yes, but so what? All they can do is block minecraft, a move that would only cause (more?) dissent across the population.

Load More Replies...
Gina
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But with the knowledge of this getting more widespread. What happens when these countries ban Minecraft?

Electric Ed
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We banned a childrens game because it contains foreign propaganda. How would you take such news?

Load More Replies...
QueenOlive
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stunning! As a Minecrafter of 8 years, this blows my mind. In addition to what a great idea this is, I'm amazed at the build itself. Not only does it provide a place for people to have access to information they otherwise wouldn't, but it's a great build to have on a server for so many people to enjoy. I'm just curious as to building method- did the builders do this by hand, or did they use something like MCedit? Either way, it's gorgeous and very impressive.

Everybody Say love!
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've not been on the server yet myself, but FitMC (2b2t player and YouTuber) did a tour. There are only a couple of articles stored there atm, but with time it will only get bigger. What an amazing idea!

Load More Replies...
Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Admittedly not tech savvy but by exposing a loophole don't you make it easier to close?

Water Bottle
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love seeing Minecraft not only being used as a game but also being used for real world purposes, such as this library and having kids create physical structures through Minecraft.

Bunzilla
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! That is so amazing. Much respect to anyone involved in this project. Not only for creating the island and building itself, but for writing up all those books and articles, making them available for all. Gorgeous building.

Freya the Wanderer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wherever and whenever there is censorship, people will find loopholes.

El Dee
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a great idea. We can at least get these words out there. Genuine journalism is increasingly rare as reporters self-censor for fear of running foul of their governments. This is happening EVERYWHERE, you need only look at the poor journalism in your national papers to prove this. Unfortunately this won't stop governments arresting journalists and holding them without charge. And that's NOT restricted to third world dictatorships, look what's happening to Julian Assange! And, if you've bought into the US line that he endangered life etc have a read at 'Craig Murray' he is a former diplomat who runs a blog on various political matters and he reported on the case..

David Thorne
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a gimmick that will achieve nothing. If this ridiculous thing ever became popular, oppressive government's will just block it, accessing it isn't even particularly secure so you're putting journalists at risk

NeverGoWoke
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you want to look at some other incredible Minecraft build, I highly recommend Hypixel or PlanetMinecraft :)

Kimberly Puchniarz
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With all of the censorship in the United States, why aren't they represented?

Richard Cote
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right... So I shared this article on Facebook and it was flagged as violating the community standards as spam. WTF??

ggentilozzi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it is a fantastic thing. But reporting about its existence is not. Suppressive regimes can now just ban Minecraft. It would be better left a secret.

Gerrith Will Lassen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank You for doing this. Seeing the world seen from E.g. the space-station, we have the Western world with 'free' press - but lots and lots of commercial interests. And we have systems in place, in other countries, where the government is filtering all information and manipulate their people, like they are their privat pets. Good intentions on both sides - for sure. But who can we trust ??? Looking closer, the Pharma industry does manipulate us big style, what is proper to write about vaccination, it does delete articles with natural medicine we did use for thousand of years, and only give people access to articles who gives them more profit. Many other peoples, many parties, many commercial interests do influence our news and flow of information. Living on a border between two different countries in Europe, the news about the same situation in US or Middle East, in China or Russia can be quite the opposite from country to country. So what is the truth?? Who define it?

Sunzilla
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great idea, but what if those countries just start blocking Minecraft as well?

Amelie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow this is so amazing! The only downside would be the map would be really glitchy, but nonetheless this is amazing!

Toni
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

minecraft player here. i love bored panda. but i don't think it's good that you are publishing this article. soon the officials in certain states will hear of it, and minecraft will be banned in those states. it shouldn't be published..

Living_Shadow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my God this IS AMAZING!! I can't even wrap my head around how much work it must have all been!

elia 84631
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Minecraft isn't just a overrated indie game but as virtual world creation tool, in this case for good cause

J Rob
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"The library is filled with books containing articles that were censored in their country of origin. These articles are now available again within Minecraft—hidden from government surveillance technology inside a computer game." Not anymore.

Molly Block
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a fantastic idea! I have never played Minecraft. But now I want to! Someone please explain to me, exactly, which books are these? What kind of information do they contain?

Tatiana Lukovnikova
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But can publishing in this library affect anything and change anything in the real world?

Tatiana Lukovnikova
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But can publishing in this library affect anything and change anything in the real world?

Paul LJ Catlow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great! so until we get a free press in Britain that isn't owned by a handful of stateless billionaires using it to advance their own interests, this will have to do? "I'm a journalist, and I work for the Sun/Daily Mail/Daily Express..." "Excuse me, you can be one or the other of those but you can't be both!"

Max L.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be free it seems quite some hours were invested to build it

Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't stand North American journalists and I think they are biased, corrupted a******s and I can't stand Cancel Culture but man have we got it WAAAAAY better than many parts of the world. We can publicly blast our leaders, we can write our own opinion blogs, and I'm thankful for all the freedoms we do have.

Kathy Smith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your hatred is too all-encompassing. There are still a lot of North American journalists who are unbiased and sincere. Unfortunately, though, it’s the ones who ARE biased who make it up the ladder, toeing the line of political agenda, to more conspicuous positions, i.e. Faux News.

Load More Replies...
Begine61
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I make a big amount online work . How ??? Just u can done also with this site and u can do it Easily 2 step one is open link next is Click on Tech so u can done Easily now u can do it also. open this ☛ https://bit.ly/2ugdH7h

Therter
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I make a big amount online work . How ??? Just u can done also with this site and u can do it Easily 2 step one is open link next is Click on Tech so u can done Easily now u can do it also. open this ☛ https://bit.ly/2ugdH7h

CbusResident
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Censorship is justified at times, e.g. If a Coronavirus vaccine is created, govt. censorship of antivaxxers might be a necessary abridgment of free speech. But just b/c some liberal students are upset about a conservative speaker coming to their campus, that doesn't come close to justifying censorship of that speaker.

Prince Maroochy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW! It must have taken so much work- not only to build the library and the island, but also to type up all those books!!! It's incredible that people are willing to put so much time into something for the betterment of the world. :)

NeverGoWoke
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That library is incredible and for such a good cause that so many people take for granted. Something like that usually take a few years - 3 months is crazy! Amazing work!

CelSlade
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great idea, love it. But, I have questions: 1) How will those journalists become aware of this resource? 2) Have you not just made those restrictive regimes aware of this super-subversive library?

Electric Ed
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1) by reading bored panda 2) yes, but so what? All they can do is block minecraft, a move that would only cause (more?) dissent across the population.

Load More Replies...
Gina
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But with the knowledge of this getting more widespread. What happens when these countries ban Minecraft?

Electric Ed
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We banned a childrens game because it contains foreign propaganda. How would you take such news?

Load More Replies...
QueenOlive
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stunning! As a Minecrafter of 8 years, this blows my mind. In addition to what a great idea this is, I'm amazed at the build itself. Not only does it provide a place for people to have access to information they otherwise wouldn't, but it's a great build to have on a server for so many people to enjoy. I'm just curious as to building method- did the builders do this by hand, or did they use something like MCedit? Either way, it's gorgeous and very impressive.

Everybody Say love!
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've not been on the server yet myself, but FitMC (2b2t player and YouTuber) did a tour. There are only a couple of articles stored there atm, but with time it will only get bigger. What an amazing idea!

Load More Replies...
Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Admittedly not tech savvy but by exposing a loophole don't you make it easier to close?

Water Bottle
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love seeing Minecraft not only being used as a game but also being used for real world purposes, such as this library and having kids create physical structures through Minecraft.

Bunzilla
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! That is so amazing. Much respect to anyone involved in this project. Not only for creating the island and building itself, but for writing up all those books and articles, making them available for all. Gorgeous building.

Freya the Wanderer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wherever and whenever there is censorship, people will find loopholes.

El Dee
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a great idea. We can at least get these words out there. Genuine journalism is increasingly rare as reporters self-censor for fear of running foul of their governments. This is happening EVERYWHERE, you need only look at the poor journalism in your national papers to prove this. Unfortunately this won't stop governments arresting journalists and holding them without charge. And that's NOT restricted to third world dictatorships, look what's happening to Julian Assange! And, if you've bought into the US line that he endangered life etc have a read at 'Craig Murray' he is a former diplomat who runs a blog on various political matters and he reported on the case..

David Thorne
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a gimmick that will achieve nothing. If this ridiculous thing ever became popular, oppressive government's will just block it, accessing it isn't even particularly secure so you're putting journalists at risk

NeverGoWoke
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you want to look at some other incredible Minecraft build, I highly recommend Hypixel or PlanetMinecraft :)

Kimberly Puchniarz
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With all of the censorship in the United States, why aren't they represented?

Richard Cote
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right... So I shared this article on Facebook and it was flagged as violating the community standards as spam. WTF??

ggentilozzi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it is a fantastic thing. But reporting about its existence is not. Suppressive regimes can now just ban Minecraft. It would be better left a secret.

Gerrith Will Lassen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank You for doing this. Seeing the world seen from E.g. the space-station, we have the Western world with 'free' press - but lots and lots of commercial interests. And we have systems in place, in other countries, where the government is filtering all information and manipulate their people, like they are their privat pets. Good intentions on both sides - for sure. But who can we trust ??? Looking closer, the Pharma industry does manipulate us big style, what is proper to write about vaccination, it does delete articles with natural medicine we did use for thousand of years, and only give people access to articles who gives them more profit. Many other peoples, many parties, many commercial interests do influence our news and flow of information. Living on a border between two different countries in Europe, the news about the same situation in US or Middle East, in China or Russia can be quite the opposite from country to country. So what is the truth?? Who define it?

Sunzilla
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great idea, but what if those countries just start blocking Minecraft as well?

Amelie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow this is so amazing! The only downside would be the map would be really glitchy, but nonetheless this is amazing!

Toni
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

minecraft player here. i love bored panda. but i don't think it's good that you are publishing this article. soon the officials in certain states will hear of it, and minecraft will be banned in those states. it shouldn't be published..

Living_Shadow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my God this IS AMAZING!! I can't even wrap my head around how much work it must have all been!

elia 84631
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Minecraft isn't just a overrated indie game but as virtual world creation tool, in this case for good cause

J Rob
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"The library is filled with books containing articles that were censored in their country of origin. These articles are now available again within Minecraft—hidden from government surveillance technology inside a computer game." Not anymore.

Molly Block
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a fantastic idea! I have never played Minecraft. But now I want to! Someone please explain to me, exactly, which books are these? What kind of information do they contain?

Tatiana Lukovnikova
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But can publishing in this library affect anything and change anything in the real world?

Tatiana Lukovnikova
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But can publishing in this library affect anything and change anything in the real world?

Paul LJ Catlow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great! so until we get a free press in Britain that isn't owned by a handful of stateless billionaires using it to advance their own interests, this will have to do? "I'm a journalist, and I work for the Sun/Daily Mail/Daily Express..." "Excuse me, you can be one or the other of those but you can't be both!"

Max L.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be free it seems quite some hours were invested to build it

Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't stand North American journalists and I think they are biased, corrupted a******s and I can't stand Cancel Culture but man have we got it WAAAAAY better than many parts of the world. We can publicly blast our leaders, we can write our own opinion blogs, and I'm thankful for all the freedoms we do have.

Kathy Smith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your hatred is too all-encompassing. There are still a lot of North American journalists who are unbiased and sincere. Unfortunately, though, it’s the ones who ARE biased who make it up the ladder, toeing the line of political agenda, to more conspicuous positions, i.e. Faux News.

Load More Replies...
Begine61
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I make a big amount online work . How ??? Just u can done also with this site and u can do it Easily 2 step one is open link next is Click on Tech so u can done Easily now u can do it also. open this ☛ https://bit.ly/2ugdH7h

Therter
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I make a big amount online work . How ??? Just u can done also with this site and u can do it Easily 2 step one is open link next is Click on Tech so u can done Easily now u can do it also. open this ☛ https://bit.ly/2ugdH7h

CbusResident
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Censorship is justified at times, e.g. If a Coronavirus vaccine is created, govt. censorship of antivaxxers might be a necessary abridgment of free speech. But just b/c some liberal students are upset about a conservative speaker coming to their campus, that doesn't come close to justifying censorship of that speaker.

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