Censorship: As support for & against it continues to grow what's your opinion?

I don't see it. The people who have been retailed because of censorship have continued their ideas somewhere else where they can. To think that censorship is increasing with some kind of conspiracy of the deep state silencing the truth about their shenanigans' is old news. The wealthy have run campaigns for decades that silenced those with voting rights, but little power/money. Debate on, I take the side that the "Taz's" are exaggerating the current censorship because they have an agenda to reveal the hidden agendas of the deep state, and it's increasing control of our individual freedoms. No, that is not happening the way you imagine. Too many spy movies, and alternative life style videos. :)
 

Not to be too cynical but good luck with that.
I am being censored today (not that I need to be), by my son who feels his safety and feelings are more important than liberty. I may have to quote Ben Franklin if things get dicey. Otherwise, I'm willing to put liberty aside for a day for peace and harmony.
I do like your thread.
There is nothing more important than liberty.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
 

There has been some censorship of books that some find offensive. Many of the books have s*xual content possibly inappropriate for young, impressionable minds. Others contain depictions of racism that make people feel uncomfortable. Still others, such as the Harry Potter series, contain scenes of witchcraft that the church doesn't like.

It's all pretty silly, really. Why bother banning books when anyone with an internet connection can access the most sleazy, pornographic, racist, heathenistic content one can only imagine? Teaching that content in public schools is a different story, and I can see why parents would be upset if their children were forced to read something they didn't approve of.

I have no idea how much of a problem that is, though. It might be just another fabricated controversy designed to outrage the public. Some people seem to be perpetually outraged over trivial crap when there are real abuses out there.
 
I have no idea how much of a problem that is, though. It might be just another fabricated controversy designed to outrage the public. Some people seem to be perpetually outraged over trivial crap when there are real abuses out there.
Like what? Your lunch is late? What could be more abusive than the child-porn trade? Or the sex-slave industry? We are not paying attention if we believe these are "just another fabricated controversy".

We have freedom of expression with exceptions, no controversy there.
 
Quote
"Well-known and strong opponent of censorship Benjamin Franklin- we all know this icon of American Patriotism and author who famously summed up censorship in just a few words, wrote: "Those that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety"

Although Ben is ahead of me in time he & I are on the same page in our thoughts about censorship.
 
The only censorship of which I approve is making sure the things children are exposed to are age appropriate.

We cannot learn in a vacuum. The more we are exposed to the more we grow.
We must be careful what we ask for, and mindful of what we in our hubris would have others exposed to.
 
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Could you expand a bit more or give an example?
Many are political and unmentionable here (and should be unmentionable in the law, in my opinion) but you made a big statement when you said, "The only censorship of which I approve is making sure the things children are exposed to are age appropriate."
What about yelling "Fire" in a crowded theater? What about slander and libel? What about bullying threats and other cruel practices?
I repeat, we have freedom of expression with exceptions.
 
It looks like people en masse are disregarding this section. Not sure if its they have no interest in discussing this topic, or can't hold back derision and judgement.
Or maybe, because this was posted the day before Thanksgiving, people here had a bunch of other concerns, or cheerier thoughts, or a touch of depression.
Maybe we will talk about what color are walls are, maybe people will engage!
Powerful words. :rolleyes:


IMO, censorship is a tool that can sway opinion as much as the words it censors. It can be a powerful weapon disguised as something as peaceful as a prayer. When a censor assumes people aren't intelligent enough to form their own opinions or come to their own conclusions, it's even more insulting than your wall-color comment.
 
Many are political and unmentionable here (and should be unmentionable in the law, in my opinion) but you made a big statement when you said, "The only censorship of which I approve is making sure the things children are exposed to are age appropriate."
What about yelling "Fire" in a crowded theater? What about slander and libel? What about bullying threats and other cruel practices?
I repeat, we have freedom of expression with exceptions.
True. My statement was pretty broad. Thanks for clarifying that. I was thinking along political terms also - things like censoring books or ideas that are different from your own. The things you mentioned as being illegal have been deemed by the judicical system as being harmful. So let me rephrase what I said. Things that have not been deemed illegal should not be censored, however they should be age appropriate.
 
True. My statement was pretty broad. Thanks for clarifying that. I was thinking along political terms also - things like censoring books or ideas that are different from your own. The things you mentioned as being illegal have been deemed by the judicical system as being harmful. So let me rephrase what I said. Things that have not been deemed illegal should not be censored, however they should be age appropriate.
Sure, but that can't be the be-all and end-all of censorship. Things change. New things come and go, such as the internet. We have a lot of work to do there.
 
Sure we need to end the constant listening to the mouths running off 24 / 7'ns on whatever we are watching and listening to.
Those broadcasting believe it's their power over the gross group of people out there most likely listening / watching something.

Only by quitting them will they be forced to go away.
 
Today- as the world continually spirals into a whirlwind of chaos, "misinformation and disinformation" and the rise of heavy censorship is rearing it's ugly head in the worlds democratic countries- some would say in a very Orwellian manner - I thought this would make for an interesting topic.

Misinformation and disinformation are most often used to doge debate when used by the media and its acolytes. When governments start using those words to silence debate, it is Orwellian. Dodging is lazy, official silencing of debate is sinister.
 
Tazx & betterhalf.
He/She/They have left the building.
Hey, no - still here- but felt that the philosophy thread wasn't getting the deep interest that I was hoping for. While I can handle critical push back, am very open minded, and love a fun intellectual debate- I made a choice (based on other threads that just turn into useless arguments back & forth) to close the philosophy topic as quickly as it was opened, as I didn't feel that this forum was the right place for such conversation & debate.

Maybe a bit rashes...but other forums we visit seem to be a better place to discuss this stuff.

It takes up time to write these types of posts and my husband and I (I am female, by the way) just felt that for the few people truly interested in the philosophical posts were too few to make it worth our time and effort.

Again, did I not give it a fair chance- probably- let me know your thoughts.

If so, sorry about that.
 


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