|
| AUTHOR |
MESSAGE |
|
newbie1011
62 / female
The Shore, New Jersey, US
|
Censorship on the Internet.
I know many people have turned to the Internet for many things. Shopping, News, Sex, Dating, just to name a few.
I am curious. How do you view it regarding censorship?
I know many people have gone to the Internet for their news because they feel that TV has become obviously one sided (doesn't matter what side) and it is censored. It is censored by the station owners and administers,FCC, "Moral majority", etc.
Same goes for why people go to the Internet for sex and even dating.Most say they want the sex content uncensored (and free if they can get it.lol) Dating ads on the Internet reach millions and you can say anything you want vs a news paper or TV where you are very limited in the content.
Shopping is mostly being able to compare,convenience and saving money.
I know especially people in their 20's seem to get much of their news and information through blogs and other things of that nature, especial social networking..
Even a site like this that has forums, writers sections, various areas for alternate life styles, links to like type material, etc.
Do you think these types of sites should be a place where people can voice their opinions, stories, videos, pictures, etc. with out any censorship? If you think they should be censored to what extent? There was just a story in the news about that group that goes around and protests at military funerals. Although most find them offensive I believe the ruling in court was they have the right under freedom of speech to do it. Yet you can't yell fire in a crowed building under freedom of speech (Of course unless there really is a fire). KKK members hold hate rallies all over the place. But we can't say just because we don't like their message they aren't allowed to say it. Where do you think the lines should be? And why?
|
| March 6, 2011, 04:04 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
Depends ya know.....each site is owned by someone who is well within their rights to run and maintain the site the way they want.
This site for example, absix and unf own and run it, they can make any rules they want, they can decide what content they want to edit, delete, and censor....it's their right.
If you have you're own blog or site, then you make your rules about censoring, or decide not to have any rules at all.
I know what blogs and websites are out there, KKK, pro-pediphilia, militia of all kinds, I do not visit sites like that at all, I'm sure they are monitored and watched.
The whole wikileaks thing, I'm still on the fence about all the legality of that.
|
| March 6, 2011, 16:04 |
|
Grandelf
64 / male
Northern, Michigan, US
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
I agree and understand that whoever has created a site can make whatever rules they want, and I've left a few because there was more of a "Power trip" going on for lack of a better term, rather than being user friendly...It wasn't a sex site not that it makes any difference. I left, and the way things were run with an "Iron Fist", the site died what began as a slow death to collapsing around the "powers that be"...nothing to do with me leaving, lol....just the dellusions of grandure caught up with them. Lines must be drawn.. there must be some path that all need to follow to keep sanity and peace...but there's a fine line between that and allowing diversity...other sites I checked out and didn't join for the same reason. If the waters get choppy this boy is turning his sails in the opposite direction....no time to sweat such crapola...Oh that's a better term, lol...
|
| March 7, 2011, 08:45 |
|
newbie1011
62 / female
The Shore, New Jersey, US
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
I agree. The people that own the site have the right to decide what to allow or not allow. I to have seen the power trips takeover and ruin sites, blogs etc...
Especially on an adult site you hope people can act like adults and sometimes debate differences and at times agree to disagree without having to be silenced. I Personally like seeing people state their opinions, even if I don't agree with them. I feel if people state their opinion with some intelligence and common sense then it can and should be respected.
We also shouldn't always have to be "Politically correct".
I also get tired of having people apologize and make excuses for someones actions other than their own. I see it every day on the news as well as life in general.
One of the things I enjoy about the Internet is in most cases you don't see it as much. In The TV world you see it all the time. "He has a problem" "She can't help herself".
I understand people get paid to say that crap but I think most of us just sit back and think. Yep, they are right. He/ she has a problem alright. You are all making so many excuses for them that they don't see their behavior as an issue!People even do it with their kids these days.Maybe we need to go back to the good old stand by...You do something wrong , you have consequences instead of excuses!
For the record I don't like censorship. I feel I am an adult and can handle the real truth and the whole thing!
And If I do find a site that is censored to much I too would move on.
|
| March 7, 2011, 09:50 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
re: Censorship on the Internet.
Yep, we do kinda hafta do the politically correct thing here, anyone remember VB? Geez...that man couldn't post a sentence without being offensive.
I like the nice rule here, I think it's very grown up and very adult to be able to convey your thoughts, opinions, feelings with self control and intelligent composure.
I visit some forums that are all mouthy flaming. They're boring. Just a bunch of people with anonymous cybercourage degrading each other.
As far as other things, hubs and I are totally different, he prefers no censoring, no pixels, blurs or beeps, I'm okay with it most of the time, I don't need the full graphic exposure. Especially when it comes to gore and violence.
|
| March 7, 2011, 13:33 |
|
wandering5tar
53 / male
London, England, UK
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
I agree with both Newbie and of course Voltaire who she is para-phrasing:
"I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it".
This is surely the most important aspect of any democracy.
Of course the InterWeb is not entirely democratic as each site is owned by someone and they can apply whatever rules they see fit to their bit of it. However, the low cost of entry to the InterWeb makes it relatively easy for people to create a new site and publish their own views if they wish.
Like it or not, this is the new medium of the 21C and the Media Moguls are terrified by it.
|
| March 7, 2011, 13:50 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
I compare someone's website to being somewhat like it being someone's "house"
If I invite someone into my home, and tell them at the door, "You're welcome to come in, but I don't allow smoking or cussing please" and they choose to ignore that, light up and gut out a constant string of foul obscenities, then they are going to leave my house, and I don't want to hear the ole freedom of speech out of them either.
If I walk into a business, that clearly posts "No shirt, No shoes, No service"...I'm not trotting in barefoot and insisting that they serve me any way, cuz of constitutional rights kind of stuff.
I've seen only a few sites that don't lock and moderate topics. The sites with no moderation at all seem to attract people that think they are above everyone else, and every one else who's opinion is not a match, is an idiot and a moron. Bitter and aggressive people who cannot express themselves without flaming and name calling. They attract people who want to talk about extreme taboo topics that we are pretty thankful are not allowed here.
A few rules and conduct expectations, not that big of a deal for me, I understand the underlying reasoning, I don't feel oppressed at all. It's basic sociology.
|
| March 7, 2011, 14:30 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
By the way, anyone here remember way back, when abs first started this site and was here allot?
Oh man, if someone complained or dissed the site, and he did not like what ya said, bam....your account was deleted on the spot, no warning, no nothing....you were gone! If you blew up and started a flaming fight....gone.
Abs took a much harder line, he could be pretty tough about things....if a moderator here takes an action, we cringe, we don't wanna, but we have to constantly tight rope that middle between what we know the owners want, and ya'all.
|
| March 7, 2011, 14:41 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
I apologize for repeated posting here, but as far as "power trippers"....there are all kinds, some think we mods are power tripping, think whatcha want, can't stop ya.
But...we have to deal with another kind of power tripper often here, members who send hate mail to others, members who take it upon themselves to post aggressively when a new member breaks a rule which is breaking a rule too, members who cannot accept rules with any grace whatsoever, members who just have a strong anti-authority attitude.
(Hubs is a very anti-authority type, he sees a "no smoking" sign and it just makes him wanna light up even more!)
|
| March 7, 2011, 16:03 |
|
wandering5tar
53 / male
London, England, UK
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
The analogy of "inviting someone into your home" is a good one, but the releationship becomes slightly different when you charge them for entry ;-) More like running a bar, perhaps...
|
| March 7, 2011, 16:36 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
Aw yes, I totally see what you mean, but here, you can come in, take a look around, hang out, and make a decision if you want to pay, or not, stay or not. So, if you don't like the power trippin' mods and owners, you can find out before you pay.
If you pay for a movie that sucks, or pay a cover charge at a club and the band totally blows or you find no hot chicks are there, you may get a refund, but probably not.
Before creating a profile, most sites if not all, have a terms of agreement, terms of use that we agree to... it's all rambling small print that I'm sure most don't even read, so if you're a power tripping member, you could be in violation of the terms of membership agreement, in violation of the forum terms of use, all legally stated on the sites.
Wandering, you agree with some, disagree with some, but you always express yourself in a mature, respectful way, it's always a good read when you post, you do it well, you make fantasitic valid points, and I don't think I've ever seen you lose control of your emotions while making your statements. We couldn't ask for more than that.
|
| March 7, 2011, 16:51 |
|
wandering5tar
53 / male
London, England, UK
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
Hmmmm - maybe I need to let the bad boy inside me out to play more often!!
I love the idea of going up to the manager of a Night Club and asking for my money back because I didn't pull!! Can't wait to try that one out.
In the unlikely event that I don't pull, I mean ;-)
|
| March 7, 2011, 17:14 |
|
ashkats
65 / couple
crystal falls, Michigan, US
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
well with all things said and i agree alot but if i dont like the movie i get up and leave, we all do have a choice
|
| March 7, 2011, 18:54 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
I strongly believe in the right of free speech. This I know then means that anyone can say anything, even things that are insulting or offend me. The great thing is I have the right to respond or walk away secure in my own belief system.
I hope rather than believe that everyone should be grateful for free speech and act decently with it and will continue to hope for that, despite all evidence to the contrary.
I don't however share everything I think with the world and don't need to. Politeness costs nothing, respect must be earn't and I see no point in spreading misery.
|
| March 7, 2011, 19:45 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Re: Censorship on the Internet.
QUOTE (wandering5tar @ March 7, 2011, 17:14)Hmmmm - maybe I need to let the bad boy inside me out to play more often!!
I love the idea of going up to the manager of a Night Club and asking for my money back because I didn't pull!! Can't wait to try that one out.
In the unlikely event that I don't pull, I mean ;-)
Please please please, I will pay to watch you in a nightclub on the pull....Those pick up lines I want to hear
|
| March 7, 2011, 19:46 |
|
newbie1011
62 / female
The Shore, New Jersey, US
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
We all do have choices . We also don't always know the full extent of something until we try it out thoroughly.
There are also times when you are on a site a problem occurs like a personality conflict with another member or even a moderator. Or when a rule is changed or not stated clearly.
All those things can contribute to why someone would leave or be ask or made to leave a site or other business. The sad part is when someone posts something and because of a personality conflict it is addressed differently than when someone else posts something. Just because someone has authority to respond due to position I would hope that person of authority would be mature enough to realize that as an authority figure everyone should be treated equally.
You see this in all business's and even schools. It is sometimes difficult to keep personalities out of the mix. For some it is more difficult than others.At times when it's pointed out it does get corrected but other times peoples emotions get in the way.
Weather a business be a bar, website, or whatever there are many times the owners never even know this goes on because they don't have direct contact , or at least as much, with their customers. Sometimes it is too late by the time they find out there is a problem. This actually has happened with a major amusement park near us. They were having serious issues when I got to speak with them regarding there advertising and marketing account (That's what my job was).After about 2 hours of this man asking me what to do to improve their image and being shocked at some of the things going on in his own park he was really upset. I suggested he put regular street clothes on and he and his family spend the day being regular customers rather than the "VIP CEO" family. A few weeks later,after he did just that, he thanked me and he made some major changes. (One was having the bathrooms cleaned much more often. I was very happy. lol)
Unfortunately not all upper management can do that. I think most would be shocked to see things from a customer point of view.
|
| March 7, 2011, 20:48 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
I totally agree Newbie that in many cases issues, arguments etc can be caused by a personality conflict. Back to what I was saying though is that one of my hopes is that people can use the freedom of speech and all the other great freedoms we have to be adults about things.
I do think there is sometimes a "knee jerk" reaction to some things, but I suppose if you are in charge you do have to step in before things could go too far. I run a team of very vocal, confident bunch of folks and I love it, but it takes all my guesswork and management skill to keep them from each others throats somedays.
I guess no system is perfect, but I would rather have the one we live in currently on the web and the UK than in some places around the world where you can't say the simpliest things without being killed.
Or the couple of days of bright sunshine we have had in the UK right now have sent me gaga and into a happy fluffy love everything state of mind lol
|
| March 7, 2011, 21:13 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
Yeah, the ole knee jerk, once, Lib, whom I just adore posted something and I blew up, I immediatly went right back and made a sincere huge apology to her and everyone else for my mistake publicly in that thread, gave no excuses. She and I exchanged PMs where I apologized. Geez, I still feel bad about that.
I was just online this morning explaining photo upload rules to someone, the last one I had forgotten about.
- "Photos featuring you giving the finger - this is just rude"
Some might consider this infringement on their rights, but there it is, absix decided it's rude, he doesn't want it here, and if we see it here, we are obligated to warn the person and report the photo for deletion.
|
| March 8, 2011, 13:16 |
|
wandering5tar
53 / male
London, England, UK
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
And doesn't that just beautifully encapsulate the problem; you can post a picture of your erect penis but a finger is forbidden!
|
| March 8, 2011, 15:09 |
|
newbie1011
62 / female
The Shore, New Jersey, US
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
Again the rules can at times be misinterpreted. For instance what I might find rude or inappropriate others might not. This can be for many reasons. Some of the funny ones are language barriers and cultural differences. I'm sure most people here would say it is rude to burp at the dinner table yet in some places it is considered a compliment. Here we treat our dogs as if they are part of the family for the most part and some cultures think of them as property meant to do work like a tractor and others view them as disgusting dirty things and others as food.I remember when that guy threw a shoe at the president at a press conference and most of us were a bit confused until it was explained that in that culture it was one of the most insulting things you can do. Much worse than giving him the finger.
I think its how we handle these things when we run into them can make or break things on a site like this or any business.
|
| March 9, 2011, 01:29 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Re: Censorship on the Internet.
QUOTE (wandering5tar @ March 8, 2011, 15:09)And doesn't that just beautifully encapsulate the problem; you can post a picture of your erect penis but a finger is forbidden!
Exactly! Aw, that life really.
When I join a new site, I do spend allot of time just lurking and browsing just to get a feel for it, just to check the temperment of the site, get a grasp on the rules, learn who the mods are and all that.
Some sites will harshly blast your ass if you dare post a topic without first doing a thorough time consuming forum search to make sure the topic has not been posted before.
Here, we don't care about that much. Sometimes the same topic can be posted by someone else, worded just a bit differently,and the responses can be completely different than the previously posted topics.
Even when a noob posts an email in their posts, my message is polite,
"I'm so sorry, but I had to delete/edit your forum post, alternate contact information of any kind is not allowed in our forums or in the profiles, I hope you understand and if you have any questions or problems of any kind, please write me, I'm happy to help"
Most always I get a polite reply, once in rare while, ya get the typical anti-authority power trippin' crap of "Who the fuck are you to tell ME what the fuck I can do?"
I'll work with anyone, there have only been two VIPs in this sites history that got deleted, and that's only after we spent hours upon hours over several years trying to work with them.
|
| March 9, 2011, 13:20 |
|
User no longer registered.
|
Re: Re: Censorship on the Internet.
QUOTE (newbie1011 @ March 9, 2011, 01:29)Again the rules can at times be misinterpreted. ...
Absolutely correct, that is why sites choose to have moderators. Here we hope that we can smooth out things, meditate between members with problems, and answer questions.
It takes a thick skin, I can edit, delete, etc....and piss someone off, they can write me, call me names, berate me, whatever....but if they write back five minutes later and ask me to help with something like a problem in the chatroom, a photo upload, whatever....I can help without discrimation. Not a problem for me. Good Gawd, I've had horrible cussing temper tantrums in my mailbox, directed personally at me because another moderator take some action when I wasn't even online. I'm sure the other mods hear fits about what action I've done too. It's just the way it is, I accept that.
The biggest rule for the mods (We have more rules than ya'all) is that we always try to deal with all members with respect at all times.
|
| March 9, 2011, 14:36 |
|
newbie1011
62 / female
The Shore, New Jersey, US
|
Re: Censorship on the Internet.
I find it interesting that although sometimes, some claim to be impartial when they clearly are not. I do understand that when personalities come into play it can be difficult.
But sometimes with power of and position (teacher, supervisor,moderator etc...)allows the person to realize they have the last word, it makes it worse. By giving them that power they do the one thing that they claim to dislike so much. Many times the use that power to talk down to people as if they were talking to a puppy that just did something wrong. In reality a true good leader, boss, teacher etc.. is the the one that realizes that they are not better than that person they are dealing with but in fact might even learn from that person at times. A true good leader, boss etc... uses self control and wisdom to make their point not force and intimidation just because the have it.
|
| March 15, 2011, 02:46 |
|
|
