Censorship

[Blindswordmaster]

For the record: if this gets me suspended I called it.
Censorship, how do you all feel about it? Is it stifling free expression, or protecting innocent minds from corrupting influence. The two examples I call into question 2 incidents: Anne Frank's clit talk and the removing of the n word from Tom Sawyer. The first involves the inclusion of a detailed discussion of Anne Frank's female anatomy from her 15-year-old perspective in edition following the 50th anniversary of her death, which will not be linked to because irony loves screwing me over. Your thoughts on these and other incidents of censorship are appreciated.

 

[crudus]

F*ck censorship!

But seriously, it can go die in a fire. The censorship we have now is so arbitrary. "You can't say these words and you can't show these body parts". It is also so distracting when it comes up, especially the bleeps in words. Sometimes people get clever with it like Austin Powers, but that wasn't censorship as much as a joke.

However, certain censorship is necessary. The U.S. censored comics and things of the like during WWII that had anything to do with a bomb using fission to destroy a city. Even more importantly Japan had a plan to use balloons to attack the US. They tested it out. They watched the media to see what the US' reaction was. There was nothing in the media about it because the US censored it all. Japan labeled it a failure. In reality the US knew what was going on and was scared shitless.

 

[Scout Tactical]

For the record: if this gets me suspended I called it.

Um... why would you get suspended for that post?

The Escapist isn't full of crazy power-hungry mods who hate free thought and expression. I think your perception of authority has been severely warped for you to expect to be suspended for that post. Even if you were suspended, it would be due to a large number of reports, not due to a moderator judgment call. You really should read the memos from the mod team.

 

[Psycho Cat Industries]

Eh,I really don't care if something gets censored,but if you hide away something or kid-it then you point it out for discovery and make it awkward anyway.

 

[Sightless Wisdom]

Man do I have things to say about censorship. I'm not going to say them though. Essentially I will say that censorship is awful, in any form. You cannot or at least should not "protect" anything by censoring the truth, even in the case of something like WikiLeaks I do not support censorship of any kind.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Censorship controlled by the government is stupid. If you as a parent don't want your child read/looking at/whatevering something that's your responsibility and I don't care what you do. But dictating that sort of thing for other people is wrong.

 

[captaincabbage]

Generally I reckon censorship is f****d.

 

[deleted_by_strongbad]

The censoring of Tom Sawyer is ridiculous, the wording contained within that book details the the dehumanization that black people faced during that time and place. Slave (the chosen replacement word) doesn't have the same connotation that the N-word has. When this new version is read it'll be met with, "Wow, I guess black people had it kinda rough back then..." instead of "Christ, these people treated stray dogs with more kindness!" I would agree in censoring the new, ruined, and culturally diminished, Tom Sawyer along with every product of that horrible publishing company, but in general censorship is terrible. If you want to check out a totally epic (in the true sense of the word) journey of non-stop censorship check out the life story of Wilhelm Reich.

 

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

Censorship is only a small problem in the host of the huge social issues that we, as a collective species, face. Allow me to share with you some views on this issue.

 

[Nouw]

Don't kill me but I'd rather keep the nudity censors on for some cases, maybe as an option? Protecting the children isn't that bad of an idea, just ask me and you'll see how fucked up I am >.>

However yes the censorship of the N-word was unnecessary and to be frank stupid.

 

[delvin313]

People often use censorship as an excuse to alter writings in a way to make it conform closer to their own beliefs. I don't like the idea that anyone else has the ability to choose what I can or cannot read/watch/listen to etc. If someone wants to create a version of a book without offensive words, go for it - but don't make me have the option to only buy this version.

I simply cannot fathom how anyone can try to force people to read certain versions of a book or whatever. We're adults and we have the right (some of us even have the ability) to think for ourselves. If I don't like something, I won't buy it, simple. Let the people decide, it won't be so bad.

 

[Mikeyfell]

protecting innocent minds from corrupting influence.

don't make me laugh

about 2 Years ago my friend's brother was in eighth grade. [sub]I swear this is a true story[/sub]
He was playing 4 square because that's what 8th graders did in 2008.
He hits the ball out of bounds and it rolls over to where some fourth graders are, and he goes to get it back. When he asks for it this forth grader snatches up the ball and says "Get the fuck away from me you cock headed, Ryan Seacrest-looking mother fucker!"

I mean that's comedy gold right there.
There aren't "innocent minds" anymore censorship has no place in mainstream media anymore.

 

[gostlyfantom]

profanity censorship is semi-bullshit(kids say worse shit than you can imagine),nudity censorship is just plain ridiculous(its a part of your body!),sensitive subject censorship is understandable but is often exploited to promote an opinion.

 

[Gindil]

F*ck censorship!

However, certain censorship is necessary. The U.S. censored comics and things of the like during WWII that had anything to do with a bomb using fission to destroy a city. Even more importantly Japan had a plan to use balloons to attack the US. They tested it out. They watched the media to see what the US' reaction was. There was nothing in the media about it because the US censored it all. Japan labeled it a failure. In reality the US knew what was going on and was scared shitless.

Not sure how accurate that is...

The comics censoring created the Comics code, which went on to make Archie comics the ONLY thing to really follow those guidelines.

The problem with censorship, even if it's only temporary, is that it has a way of being the justification for almost any bad behavior...

 

[Kakashi on crack]

Censorship has a time and place. Should I want to see a toddler's book dropping the F-bomb? Hell no, but at the same time I don't mind if they use the word in a book aimed at a more mature audience.

Its like how I look at swearing. It has a time abd place. If used in moderation it can be a great writing element, or a great speech element, even in a formal speech, but it has to be used appropriately.