The Travesty that is Hailed as Today's Censorship Laws.
 

What's the Deal Folks?

I know that this topic is relatively broad in scope, but the message that I am attempting to get across is very real.

I am going to assume that the larger part of NP Members notice the blatant censorship occuring everyday in news all around the United States. This should be one of the targets of citizens everywhere.

There are people out there who would fight this fight to the ends of the earth while others would sit on the sidelines and choose whatever side was winning at the moment. Think of television in third-world countries. There is no censor whatsoever. The graphic display of real life gore, violence, war deaths, etc. is all too common in these places.

Is America too prude for it's own good? Some may say violence numbs the little ones, but you know what? It doesn't. I firmly believe that censorship leaves citizens shocked when real life drama is presented to them. This is a problem. Chaos happens when people aren't prepared for the worst friends. Wouldn't you appreciate a little leniency when it comes to viewing your news?

Censorship doesn't even have to relate to violence or any of those things aforementioned. It is the censoring of minor details that erks me the greatest. We as Americans miss out on the other side of things because if the government allowed America to see the truth in media, there would be an outcry from the people. Isn't this our right? Is it not the duty of the U.S. Government to provide it's citizens with accurate and honest information?

Although America will remain as prude as it truly has been for so many previous generations, don't you think that it's time to make our voices heard? Perhaps, but perhaps you are pro-censorship for the sake of the little virgin eyes and ears out there.

Whatever side you are on, I want to know your opinions and I want more then one sentence answers if you would all be so kind.

I'm more concerned with censorship of the truth than censorship of violent, gory details.

Also, I think seeing violence really does desensitize you. Actually, that's not even really a matter of opinion so much as an established fact. The more you see violence, the less horrified you are by it.

On the one hand, I believe some censorship is necessary: Example, I don't think its necessary to show people getting their heads chopped off every day. On the other hand, I'm against censorship in many aspects. The media is really starting to piss me off, always taking one view or the other. Or when a candidate makes a huge mistake they spend an equal amount of time on the two candidates anyway. Or when one blatantly lies, they can't call him out on it for fear of offending some of their viewers. Bullshit, thats not why I watch the news. I watch the news to get information. Thats why I watch the Daily Show.

Perfect example: Watching the Today Show this morning because my parents like it and its a good way to get a quick primer on whats happened in the past 24 hours in about 10 minutes. Then I get a two hour delay from school, and they do a little thing on GTA: San Andreas. They have two people on. One from Sync Magazine (Chief editor) and a lawyer who is an 'expert' on video games, meaning he likes to sue the companies that make them. Couric (or maybe it was that other hack) and the 'expert' spent the entire time telling parents "Don't buy this for your kids!" without paying attention to the guy from the magazine. Instead of taking a logical view, these people have to take an 'equal' view. Freaking idiots.

Some censorship I like, myself, though not to the huge extents that sometimes occurs. For example, a friend of mine is really into sailor moon, in its original form, and is always telling me what they cut out of the translated 'kiddy' english form. Some things that they changed are jokes, like "This scene is too revealing" when it really isn't... I'd give more details except I'm not really the expert on Sailor Moon...

But as for censorship of blood guts and gore, it makes it so I can stand to watch some things on TV. I may be weak of heart (or perhaps stomache) but seeing someone get chopped in half makes me feel sick. I don't feel the need to watch that. You say that's reality, I say how many times have you witnessed someone getting cut in two? Many good TV shows and many more movies have been ruined because of things like that. Another good example is (I think) a movie called evildead. I'm not positive on this though, and I'll explain why.

It was a movie I had heard of before but never seen, and one of my friends rented it. We all went over to his place, with the intention of watching it. And then some girl got raped by a vine or something. At least, this is what they told me happened, I personally wasn't looking. Me and one of the other people watching the movie, at that point, went to the other room and started playing DarkCloud, just 'cause it was too much for us.

You say stop censoring, I say start censoring right. I don't want to feel sick and have to turn away every time I go to a movie, and yet I don't want my world full of Barney and Friends.

At least those who want to rent Evil Dead can do so freely. It's confiscated over here, meaning it can neither be sold nor rented. Other movies and video games are indexed and may not be sold to minors (<18) or be publicly advertised, which apparently includes printing the name.

Other confiscated stuff includes the movie Braindead/Dead Alive, Manhunt and Mortal Kombat II. Games like Goldeneye and Doom are indexed.

GTA3 and Vice City are (officially) only available heavily cut, without blood, money icons or rampages.

All I'm saying is it could be worse, regardless of your stance towards the things being censored.

The problem is that people seem to think un biased is making both sides of the argument seem equal. This leaves out logic. If someone is wrong then they shouldn’t be considered just as right as the person with correct logic. But news media shouldn’t try to pick a side. They should only present the facts. And let the viewers be the judge. In stead we have the news refereeing to make sure that the weaker argument is protected. This is why we have people like Ann Coulture running around spouting complete nonsense on national television.

This is why I look to the BBC for most news. They never draw a conclusion they just present the facts.

Now back to the show

Remember the immortal words of Commissioner Lal “As the Americans learned so painfully in Earth's final century, free flow of information is the only safeguard against tyranny.
The once-chained people whose leaders at last lose their grip on information flow will soon burst with freedom and vitality, but the free nation gradually constricting its grip on public discourse has begun its rapid slide into despotism.
Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself
your master.”
Remember first the gore and the porn is censored, then offensive words, then offensive thoughts.

Censorship based on age does not have the same results as long as no adult is ever censored (Theoretically NC-21). Television should remain uncensored after the eleven o’clock watershed but restrictions should be in place beforehand.

Very very well put Robot Jesus. The biggest problems I have with censorship today is that people fail to use their own common sense. They can't be bothered to find out details before turning on the television for their kids, and then blame the television stations for showing something they deem offensive. If you're gonna talk about watching something like "Evil Dead". I mean c'mon! The name itself lends to all kinds of horror movie gore and scary possibilities, that IS why we call them "horror" movies after all isn't it? If you don't like it, don't turn it on. But curbing what other people say and do, or want to watch is imposing what you believe to be offensive on someone else. If you're taking an active role in what you're doing, like taking your kid to the movies or renting a video from Blockbuster then you best be thinking ahead of time, whats this movie about, what do people I know say about it. Take responsibility for yourself instead of getting the goverment to do it for you. Because believe me, once we give them the reigns do you think they'll just stop at tv and movies?

Post censured. (If you can read the black, sorry)
 

Now is one of the few times that I feel fortunate that I live in Ecuador. Blood and gore are not only accepted, but sometimes seen as entertainment. The most widely sold newspaper here is called Extra. It features nude women and badly beat up men. I don't know why I revel in this. I find it disgusting... Oh wait, yes I do! It means there are no "soccer moms" here, constantly attacking the media to protect their small children's virgin eyes.

Edit: The reason the "Extra" is so popular is because 90% of Ecuador is poor. The masses like that kind of thing.

I understand that somethings (such as the Extra here) are just plain sick. But, guess what, some people like them. If you don't want it, don't buy it. I don't. My maid's husband does, but that's his problem. Censorship SHOULD belong to the people who do things, not to the government. If a tv channel has something you think is too violent because, maybe, it features rock music, then CHANGE THE CHANNEL!!! Don't sue the channel or the station. If it was obviously violent (as in, meant to be for an older audience) like the GTA series, then why is your child watching it?

And, Meister, what is done to replace money signs and blood in the GTA you (officially) get?

Finnally, one question remains. What is censurable? What is the standard? I suggest you go and ask around for the bloodiest thing ever. Maybe go to a particularly censurable place called "rotten." If you obtain images from such sources, and don't feel at all offended, then it's your problem. If you do feel offended, you may want to avoid such things in the future. If you can't play GTA:VC and not puke, don't buy San Andreas. But why must you sue Rockstar games for putting out a game that is clearly violent, marked with a little "M" on it's cover, and which has several reviewers crying out "It's great, if you have proper ID"? Children will inevitably play it. They will. It's a parent's responsability to stop them from doing so if they feel offended.

And as far as violence desensitizing (sp?) people, it may be a proven fact, but I still beg to differ. [graphical description: see at own risk] Seeing a person's gut pour out of his body [/graphical description: see at own risk] repeatedly will only desensitize (sp) you against that. You are still capable of living a "good" and productive life, just that when [graphical description: see at own risk] someone's guts pour out[/graphical description: see at own risk], you don't flinch. If it's seeing it live, I don't know what to say. But, anyone who sees graphical violence in video games such as the GTA series should, indeed, try to realize the difference between the "TV world" and the Real world. I might see Tommy Vercetti [graphical description: see at own risk] decapitate someone with a katana [/graphical description: see at own risk] but will I do it? Nope. Don't want to today. Nor tomorrow. Nor ever, really. I'd rather talk out my problems, personally. And, anyone who DOES look at such things and says "I should go do that same thing now!" is CLEARLY disturbed and should be put away. Perhaps in a nice, padded room.

I heard that in Germany all blood in video games must be green and that all characters likely to be killed be portrayed as zombies or as far from human as possible, can anyone verify this?

well that would make ff7 interesting