On Censorship

[morefutility]

Recently I responded to a post regarding an upcoming release by one of my favorite authors. In this post I refered to a scene in the novel where several of the characters were involved in a misunderstanding regarding a larger-than-normal phallic shaped device commonly used during coitus (pardon the long-hand, hope you'll get the drift). I of course referred to said object using a well-known five letter word beginning with d. Later in the week I reviewed my post only to discover that the noun in question had been replaced with five inocuous asterisks. Now, I am not one to balk at the rules governing free sites, but the hilarity of this one I can't pass up. I will assume that since this is a Steven King fan-based sort of thing, most posters and readers have at the very least cracked open an SK book. Given this assumption, and having read all but two of Mr. King's books myself, I find it hard to believe that ***** is going to send shudders through anyone's spines. If ***** is crossing the line, how exactly would one censor It, The Tommyknockers, Needful Things (particularly sexually graphic scene in there), Gerald's Game, and the list goes on. I am probably over-thinking this a bit, but even if there are minors aboard ship, someone must have ok'd the adult library card long ago. I proudly struted mine at 11. Far be it from me to pollute the unblemished minds of todays youth (as a proud owner of two youths myself, I supervise on my dime). What say you all?

[Moderator]

We have a software program which automatically replaces a list of words with asterisks and apparently that is on the list. We try to keep things as PG as possible because it is open to the general public, not just adults, and there could be younger kids wandering around the entire site while looking up information for a school report or just for their own curiosity. And just because they happen to come to the site does not mean that they have read a Stephen King book or have an adult supervising them.

[rose key]

I think that what a fictional character's vocabulary might be like, and what the real people on here who read Sai Kings books may speak like can be two entirely different things. We try to keep it civilized (by "we" I mean Ms Mod :biggrin2:). I, for one, censor myself, as I believe alot of others do. Like this: Sh*t, ***k it, p*ss off! Of course, we also say made-up words that sound like the ones we mean, like, "shite" and "arse". You see, you probably could have gotten your message across by typing d***o. If uncensored language like that were allowed, I'm sure there would be entirely too much of it, and this place would not be as pleasant as it is.

Well, you asked...

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

I remember the day we all tested the effin software censor LOL

That was a day of prolific asterisks!

Long days and pleasant nights

[staropeace]

Stephen King's characters use swear words sometimes...like some real-life folks. One shouldnt assume that the members of this board choose to use profanity because of that. Stephen doesnt use the cuss words just because they shock folks. He does it to add to a characters credibility. We usually talk polite on this message board and we really try to carry on as if we were normal....:laugh:

[JohnDalglish]

we really try to carry on as if we were normal....:laugh:

Hi,

With admittedly varying results LOL

Long days and pleasant nights

[Roseasharn]

I figure when you're writing novels pretty much marketed to adults you can throw the eff bomb, various other curses, violence and sexual content around all you want.
And if you are Stephen King, I would even let you write curse words about my beloved tillamook cheddar cheese.
I think it is classy that this site is somewhat censored. Not to mention well moderated! I also think it doesn't stop people from getting their point across. So I'm okay with it.

[LadyPain]

*chuckles*

I was just thinking about a place in Newfoundland that starts with 'D' and ends with 'ildo'. I guess those Newfies have their place name censored for that one, but not for some of the other fun names like Conception Bay.

[staropeace]

That name was changed and my hometown is probably fifteen minutes away from it....it is in Trinity Bay....lol....but we do like conception bay too.....:laugh:

[Maddie]

Miss Mod has saved my ass so many times out here from publicly humiliating myself and flying off handle when I misunderstand people and, nearly even posting links unauthorized downloads to Stephens audios, and just didnt think! even once what could be misconstrued as child porn though innocent, oh we have been thru this, thank God we are censored for what we are, this place would get shut down if not, we would have Erocktica right out here pinned to a sticky, lol.

[CorbinKale]

Censorship, or any other rules, deemed necessary by the homeowner is perfectly legitimate. We are guests in this house, and we are free to leave anytime we feel the rules are too oppressive.

[Tery]

If you really have such a problem with not being able to use crude language, perhaps you ought to examine why that is? We seem to be able to live with it quite comfortably. It's kind of nice to have a place to go where we don't have to deal with it.

Whether Steve uses the words in his books is not a logical comparison. He writes fiction. We are writing reality.

[SueC]

I've had to read this thread just to find out what the 5 letter word starting with d and ending with o was! My brain must be fuddled today 'cos I couldn't work it out! :laugh:

[Robbi]

There are so many words to choose from, you can express yourself without possibly offending anyone. Especially when typing. Some people open their mouths and things just spill right out without them noticing the offensiveness to others, their idea gets drowned out by profanity.

[morefutility]

My apologize for offending anyone. I was neither irritated nor angered by the censorship in question, merely amused. I typically get along fairly well in the "real" world,even considering my proclivity to refer to unmentionable topics in fictional works, lol. My personal opinion regarding censorship in general has evolved over the years. As a teenager, of course, I was aghast if anyone even hinted that a work, fictional or otherwise, should be censored. As a parent, I cringe when the lingerie store places radio ads on my oldies station. Censorship is a tricky beast, and I am certainly grateful that I am not in charge of monitoring the content of this site. I try to limit my own swearing to occasions when I try to fire up my 20+ year-old push mower. I usually have the foresight to ensure all children are out of earshot! Thanks to all for your well-reasoned responses.