A Life of A Shadow

David Slorski ⁽⁸²⁸⁾ United States

Censorship: Why is it bad?

Posted Wednesday, July 02, 2008 (1 year 146 days ago.) Viewed 27 times.

We all know about censorship. Its everywhere from TV to magazines and even just in conversing normally with people. There are things that are taboo's to say and ideas that are completely uncouth. These things aren't random but are the rules placed down by society. Whether it is some document or law made and enforced by the Federal Council, or FCC, or just a social faux pas that has almost always been in place, there is not doubt that there is censorship.

Of coarse all these restrictions are intentionally made by either a majority or a powerful minority. So we can assume that sometimes censorship isn't really the reflection of the wants of the majority. Now if we apply this law to today we can easily see it. Lets take this assumption and look at its effects in the Television genre.

Why don't we run through the process of censorship in a hypothetical situation. Lets say that the respect TV station, LMNO, makes a show that:
1) uses the word F***, Sh** and C*** several times along with other minor swears
2) will make references to drugs
3) will make references to sex
4) will have a slight amount of violence
First the "bad words" are BLEEPED out. Then we also have warning labels to tell views that the word BLEEP will be used. And on top of that, organizations are restricted from supporting shows because of the "foul language" meaning that only "mature" companies can support said show. This is even worse because even if the show just has a few words BLEEPED out that means that normal products will probably be suspended and other more "mature" commercials will take their place. So instead of hearing about Mac and Cheese we will enjoy the benefits of a Penis Pump! As you may already see, this over censorship hurts not only the program but defeats the purpose of censorship. And over all when a word is BLEEPED out, it isn't like we are stupid. We hear the first sounds and we know what it is, and when they blur the mouth in hopes of us not being able to read their lips it just makes it worse. It draws attention to it. The whole idea is to get rid of it but when you draw more attention to it you are defeating your purpose.

Next the references to drugs and sex. Now look, today in America we can already expect that a 14 year old knows enough about that stuff to know what it is. And this said,an American teenager learn about these subjects from their parents. Don't let TV teach your kid. Sit him/her down and tell them what you expect them to know and understand about the topics. I know its hard but would you rather you tell your child the details about sex in a calm relaxed atmosphere or would you rather have them learn it from a detailed episode of Law and Order? The main problem with censoring things with this topic is the fact that most parents are too lazy to teach their kids it and would rather just shield them from it. This is a bad idea because if you keep them away from it for too long you are just asking for trouble. If a person finds out what sex is at the age of 17 that is worse than letting them find out at 13 and get all the little details from a TV show. The mind matures thoughts as it grows and you can help with that process by teaching your children yourself. Or even if that is a problem, you can rely on the public schools to teach them. But then again you may disagree with the school's ideas. So who does that leave in charge of teaching your children about sex and drugs? Bingo, you.

Another argument against this is to protect children that are far younger from being exposed to this stuff. Yet the choice is up to the parents to monitor their children. Its as easy as changing the channel. And the new technology of the V-chip lets parents enforce this. And yes, there are circumstances where this isn't enforcible. The guardian is responsible.

Finally to the hottest button topic of violence. With the new technology in special effects, the talent of make-up and the all out greatness of acting, we can make the tiniest and most accurate cuts to someone being disemboweled and make it seam almost real. I know that this amount of gruesomeness is not healthy for many people but I'm not going to go out and say that it encourages it. Someone has to already have serious psychological issues already to even think of replicating those actions or results. And if they do have such problems they should be helped by mental institutions, medication or just a caring community. If you try to hide that stuff you are taking responsibility away from the people. Responsibility is what gives us the choice to do things and gives us motivations to do tasks like going to work or voting.

But still violence is something that should be warned since it is very common. A simple warning label will do that lets parents know that said thing is happening in said show. It is then up to the parents to take the proper measures.

Our next genre is paper. Newspapers, fliers, even magazines are becoming a dieing medium due to the internet behemoth. I don't know if this is good or bad, I just know that restrictions on the paper medium is absurd. Opinions are selectively placed and news filtered to our liking. Taking sides in politics is perfectly fine, but making propaganda look like truth is the bread and butter of so many news papers. Look deeper, read more, and don't take things at first glance. In no way am I saying distrust everything, I'm just stating that it is far far more healthier to not just read and idea or fact but find out why it is an idea or fact.

How about we go further into the topic of "bad words". I know that I'm going to be almost excoriated for this but it is true. Words are just words. Saying the SH word is just saying the word. If it is repeated than it is up to us to again show responsibility and take the power away from the word. I'm not, I repeat, I'm NOT talking about racial slurs because those are used with hate and should already be banned. But what I am talking about is simple words that mean nothing. Saying F*** is just saying F***. It is impolite and if we just take the power away from it, we make it no longer a bullet but just a word. I can prove its effect because even now I am just writing a possible article for MyYearbook and already I have to but *** in place of words because it may hurt someone's feelings.

I'm not saying that it should become part of our regular vocabulary because having Taboo's in a language makes it more interesting. I'm not saying to use it more often, I'm just saying don't make it such a big deal. There are far more important things to worry about than if someone says this or that. What I've been trying to say this whole time is simply Take more responsibility. It is up to us to talk about this stuff and take away the mysterious and unknown power that it has over us.
Finally the most important thing we have to remember is freedom of speech. In America we have both the gift and the curse of free speech. It protects the truth but it also puts a protective shade over racism and hate. We have to remember that we Must, I repeat, MUST embrace this right for better and for worse.

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Why people Commit suicide

Posted Saturday, March 01, 2008 (1 year 269 days ago.) Viewed 6,188 times.

Over the years the act of suicide has followed man. In ancient Rome it was thought to be a courageous act of love to your family if done to avoid disgrace or financial ruin. Then since that time the act has slowly declined to an act of pure cowardice. If we look in America during the first hours of the Great Depression we can see a mass amount of unorganized suicide based on financial ruin. The skyscrapers had lines for suicide jumpers at the time so we can obviously see that money plays a big role.

Now lets fast-forward to the mid 70's. James Town, 909 dead all from a mass organized suicide. What was behind all this? I expect that during this time most of the people involved felt a need for acceptance that other religions couldn't give. They were so desperate that they turned to a mad man that promised fellowship and comfort.

Now back to today. There are a growing number of suicides. The people who commit to this act have left chilling notes revealing a loneliness that they have. I am speculating that this loneliness is more of an illusion. I in no way mean to offend anyone who's world has been rocked by an occurrence like this but in this day in age we are so connected that the idea of loneliness has grown. We are becoming medicated in so many ways that the world's lines have started to blur. The Internet has connected us so that in an instant we can talk to others around the world but also in one second we can be lured into the trap set by sick manipulative minds.

And yet there is also the more philosophical view is that there is no such thing as true suicide. Suius comes from latin meaning self. And Cide means to kill. Philosophically no one kills themselves. They are killed by not only the people around them that emotionally stab, rape, excoriate and torture. Sometimes they are killed by their environment. Some people look too much into the singular events of society, which they should be able to do freely without consequence, and end up truly see the dark, perverted, blood, greedy, gluttonous deeps that we label "The Human Soul". If one is able and allowed to see that they can never be the same. It is impossible to actually stare into the darkness of the world and not change. Just like it is impossible to truly not change when one witnesses the death of another. It is impossible to not change when your own spirit withers away. Society forces us to death. Society forces thoughts macabre and dark upon us. Damn the society that kills not the victims.

So many have fallen into these traps and have been set in demise. I say that in this day and age the majority of suicides are intellectual murders disguised as suicide. Just a few months ago a family has finally stepped out into the light. They have definitive proof that their daughter's life was taken from cumulative discrimination and taunting by someone she trusted. I call out for us to stop this atrocity and comfort those attacked. But now Suzanne Pagella, this is an example of how society has turned so many blind eyes to those in trouble. Just listening can save so many lives.

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