I don't believe in censorship, adults should be allowed to view whatever they want. The only exceptions should be for material that caused harm in it's production (such as child porn, snuff films, etc). and material that is produced specifically to cause harm (such as material published to incite violence, hatred, oppression, etc).
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Is Censorship Justified?
- Thread starter Cellar_Door
- Start date
I hate to point this out, but you could, in theory, label anything published as one of those two things.
Spongebob Squarepants supports stereotypes of clarinet players and artists as being curmugeons, and good workers as being childlike and unintelligent. These things lead to oppression of both types, thus it should be censored!
Spongebob Squarepants supports stereotypes of clarinet players and artists as being curmugeons, and good workers as being childlike and unintelligent. These things lead to oppression of both types, thus it should be censored!
and material that is produced specifically to cause harm (such as material published to incite violence, hatred, oppression, etc).
Aah, and in that you've hit the nail on the head.
Censorship happens because its feared that its absence will cause that most terrible of acts - 'offence'.
OFFENCE? Do you know that it is now a CRIME to cause offence by means of sexual, racial or religious discrimination?
But why is it that I could call an obese person 'fatty' without any repercussions at all? It's discriminatory, and would probably cause an awful lot of offence to that individual.
Ageism is something a lot of people feel passionately about but the government takes no real action at all. In fact people are often sacked because they are 'too old', even though there is no apparent evidence that the standard of their work has declined.
Or what about the average, white, heterosexual male - a group of society alienated by almost all attempts to stop other groups of society feeling alienated. They are demonised by the press as racist, uncouth and yobbish - which we all know isn't true.
Okay, a little off of the point, but censorship is a means to an end. And what is wrong with people being offended once in a while? It might stir up opinions they never knew they had.
I think we should have total censorship. A government approved reading list. Government allowed news. I like having this Agent standing next to me examining everything I type.
Not here you can't. (UK).But why is it that I could call an obese person 'fatty' without any repercussions at all?
And the law is being (has been? I don't keep up) changed to stop that also.Ageism is something a lot of people feel passionately about but the government takes no real action at all. In fact people are often sacked because they are 'too old', even though there is no apparent evidence that the standard of their work has declined.
What is yobbish?
like a yob.
Who likes a yob?
The only things that should be censored are anti-patriotic themes and pornography
Anti-patriotic themes? Ha! Try living in England; I don't think I've heard much patriotism in the media for a long while. And why should pornography be censored?
Not here you can't. (UK).
...
And the law is being (has been? I don't keep up) changed to stop that also.
Well I must admit that I wasn't aware of either of those laws. Although, I here people being called fat all the time and I don't think I've heard of any punishment finding its way back to them. Watch 'Have I Got News For You' once in a while - libel and slander laws never seem to stop them. On the other hand, I know Ian Hislop or Paul Merton would be dismissed in a heartbeat if they voiced any 'controversial' views about race and ethnicity.
How do I know? Just look at Robert Kilroy-Silk for crying out loud; his whole career was swept away in an instant because he made some mildly offensive comment about Arabs.
The issue of censorship is inextricably linked to the issue of Free Speech. If you believe censorship is necessary then you believe that there are some things that we shouldn't be allowed to say.
There was something in the papers maybe two weeks ago about a patient being called fat by a nurse. (The guy wasn't really fat. He was gross...)Well I must admit that I wasn't aware of either of those laws. Although, I here people being called fat all the time and I don't think I've heard of any punishment finding its way back to them.
Apparently he succesfully sued.
And the age thing is coming in slowly - it is now illegal to turn down prospective employees on the grounds of age (whereas a couple of years ago once you hit 45 you were effectively unemployable unless already in a job).
I'm glad to hear about the ageism laws, but sueing(sp?) is more about an individual fight, rather than an enforcable law.
As for free speech and censorship, one that has always annoyed me is the fact that it's illegal to question any part of the WW2 Holocaust - being it figures, reported methods or people involved.
Though it is legal to discuss and question any other genocide or war crime, many of which have been arguably more damaging than that of the Nazis.
What we personally believe happened is irrelevant; I think everyone should be allowed to question, revise and make more accurate any part of history.
As someone once said, "If you don't believe in free speech for those who oppose you, you don't believe in it at all."
As for free speech and censorship, one that has always annoyed me is the fact that it's illegal to question any part of the WW2 Holocaust - being it figures, reported methods or people involved.
Though it is legal to discuss and question any other genocide or war crime, many of which have been arguably more damaging than that of the Nazis.
What we personally believe happened is irrelevant; I think everyone should be allowed to question, revise and make more accurate any part of history.
As someone once said, "If you don't believe in free speech for those who oppose you, you don't believe in it at all."
My bad I think.I'm glad to hear about the ageism laws, but sueing(sp?) is more about an individual fight, rather than an enforcable law.
I used the word sue but it was reported as (I only read it on the front page while stood in the queue) a "proper" legal case.
I hate to point this out, but you could, in theory, label anything published as one of those two things.
Spongebob Squarepants supports stereotypes of clarinet players and artists as being curmugeons, and good workers as being childlike and unintelligent. These things lead to oppression of both types, thus it should be censored!
You make a valid point, however intelligent humans can in most cases determine what media is likely to promote hatred, etc. I doubt Sponge Bob would offend any clarinet players and even if it did you would find it very hard to make a case that it was in the public's best interests to censor it.
You should have heard the uproar caused by Patrick wearing fishnet stockings in the movie. There are many (embarrassing)christians who say Spongebob promotes homosexuality. I have heard it. Too many times. (sorry, other christians embarass the crap out of me with their mindlessness. My sister is college educated, but a big proponant of 'down with spongebob!')
It's illegal to question any part of the WW2 Holocaust?????????
You should have heard the uproar caused by Patrick wearing fishnet stockings in the movie. There are many (embarrassing)christians who say Spongebob promotes homosexuality. I have heard it. Too many times. (sorry, other christians embarass the crap out of me with their mindlessness. My sister is college educated, but a big proponant of 'down with spongebob!')
It's difficult to legislate for morons (no offence to your sister). Besides what could be more offensive than denying freedom of speech?
On the subject of homosexuality, why is it wrong to promote it (even if you could define what promoting homosexuality consists of)?
wsionyw-I agree, and nothing I can see. I hate to point out, however, I am not in charge. Some people compare it to pedophilia, if you have any doubt, go check out the debate over in free thoughts where some think it is a mental illness.
It's illegal to question any part of the WW2 Holocaust?????????
It's called Holocaust Denial - many people are rotting in jails right now because of it.
i dont think its fair that someone should decide what i watch, also i watch what my kids watch but i dont censor unless i really have to,
personally i dont censor songs
personally i dont censor songs