Submitted by: David Slorski(208) Log in to become a member of David Slorski's Fan Club!
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 put down by the FCC or just a social faux pas that has almost always been, they are all around us.
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 that will certainty accompany a show from the television station HBC that 1) uses the word F***, Sh** and C*** several times 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.
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 said American should be talked to with their parents about drugs and sex. 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 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.
Another argument against this is to protect children that are far younger from being exposed to this stuff. But 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.
Finally to the hottest button topic of violence. Now 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 phychological issues already to even think of replicating that stuff. And if they do have such problems they should be helped with mental institutions and medications. 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.
Now lets go further into the topic of "bad words". I know that I'm going to be almost excoriated fro 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'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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