The New Enlightenment and the Fight for the Freedom of Knowledge

In the audiobook “New Enlightenment and the Struggle for Freedom of Knowledge,” Peter Kaufman describes how for centuries powerful forces—heads of the church and inquisitors, rulers and executioners, commissioners and secret services—have tried to limit the free flow of information. In the 16th century, working on translating the Bible was punished by death; dictionaries and encyclopedias were banned; books about science and history were destroyed. In the 20th century, all efforts to develop public television and radio networks were undermined by private business. Today, opponents of free thought take on a new guise: giant corporations, national security agencies, regulatory commissions—each continues the work of its predecessors. All of them are part of what Kaufman calls the Universe of Monsters. The audiobook answers the question of how free-minded people can unite to resist disinformation and control over the flow of knowledge, build a universe of reliable information accessible to everyone, fight the Universe of Monsters—and win. An inspiring call to action that expands what it means to be a citizen in the 21st century.