Censorship Should we fight it, or allow it?

[NTNguyen 0]

The documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 is a combination of 9/11 and this book Fahrenheit 451 - The temperature at which book burns (or something like that). It's about a fireman, well, they're called firemen. But it actually means book burner in this book. It reflects the problems of censorship in the US in the past - anti-communism, and burning of the books by the Nazis.

[biscuitrat 0]

What I don't like about literary censorship is that our Bill of Rights clearly states, "Freedom of Press." What I do approve of it video censorship. I surely don't want to see people stripping and cursing on shows that families could be watching together. It would be awkward. Back to literary censorship:

 

Books are products of imaginations. They could be on anything and we are guaranteed that right by the government.

 

But I do agree with the rest of the people who posted. If something is not ours, we desire it more. And censorship does limit creativity. Think of how you would feel if your masterpiece of literature was censored because some people up in congress thought it was "offensive". You (or at least I in this scenario) would go into a creative slump. And the ironic thing? Not all of America can agree on whether a book should be censored or not. I'm entirely open to all forms of literature being out there, but it's up to me and only me to choose what books I want to read, right? And people should be allowed to choose what version of a book or movie they want. Otherwise, you sort of feel restricted. The government isn't allowing you your right to choose what you want to read/watch.

[bob 0]

i think the best idea so far has been the censored and uncensored option giving readers the choice. If things are censored who then should have the right who can/cant see certain texts. This then may allow countries to dictate what they do or dont know allowing for manipulation of people which in my view is very wrong.If you dont believe this could happen read "Wild Swans" by Jung Chang, this book tells the story of 3 generations of a chinese family which is one of the best books i've read. However, this book is still illegal to carry in China (as far as i was last aware) and so therefore stops chinese people from easily accessing information of their own country's history, i believe this is very worrying...

[Oblivion 9999 0]

It is our duty as Americans to fight censorship.
We build this country on freedom of speech and other basic freedoms, and censorship is taking that away.  The Patrior Act is a great example of horrible censorship not of just communication but of human life in general.

Ther should be censorship, what if a 7 year old kid randomly picks up an a book with swearwords, like f*** or anything else thats bad. Anyways I'm not American. I'm not saying there should be censorship everywhere, its just there should be a way of preventing those things happening and since its pretty hard to, some people have to put in censorship. Thats just my view.

[clergyq 0]

Censorship definitely compromises aristic and self expression, but how do we discern what has expressive value and what is simply mean to sell. There is, by far, too much money involved in the entertainment industries, and much shameless employment of base psychological manipulations... It is widely known that certain concepts hook and lure the human psyche... concepts like sex and death. Hypnotic methods are now staple in advertisement and entertainment. These things are employed to attract our attention and our money.. unfortunately our children tend to be attracted to them as well.How can we seperate what is intentional psychological victimization and what is genuine expression? I'm not sure we can while human greed has a hand in it. I dont think we should child-safe our entire society.. the populace shouldn't suffer expressive repression because Guardians aren't guarding... but the parents' job should at least be made possible.I'm not sure what the answer is, but it seems to me the entire issue of censorship is based in a much larger problem... the psychological degeneration of our society based on nothing less than Greed. The question isn't "should people be allowed to express their views and opinions".. of that there is no question, American democracy demands it... the question is "should we willingly subject ourselves to brainwashing techniques by those who want our money."

[dontmaimyourself 0]

Well I think that censorship, where nessecery is a good thing eg if the subject matter is such that it would insite riots, or put people in danger etc, but on the other hand you cant just censor something because you dont agree with it or it makes fun of you, thats just childish. but in my opinion censorship for the good of the majority is required in this day and age.

[onie 0]

censorship is a MUST. with all the kids roaming around the house seing those uncencored books, or even movies have a very bad influence on them.. it could lead to violence, maliciousness or even rape and worst murder!! so why dont you think twice when you are pissed when you see those black or blured spots.. just think of it as a life saver...

[jjhou 0]

I think that popular music and anything else which directly infuences children should be more strictly censored. Is it right that seven and eight year olds sing along to christina aguilera saying they want to get dirty?There is a question of parental responsibility but its almost impossible to prevent children see something which is bradcast so widely.

[jjhou 0]

I think it's not resonable that anything should be censored, if someone doesn't want to see something they shouldn't look at it. Not only that, whos to say whats appropriate or inappropriate, because it isn't always clear. I think that many people overreact to something which isn't a very big deal. Just because you don't like something or think that it's inappropriate doesn't mean everyone thinks the same.

[adriantc 0]

There should be some censorship because not all the books are good intended. Has anyone seen that movie HITMAN (I think) where someone writes a book on how to kill someone and then calls for the 1fs amendment? That's why censorship is somethimes good.

[bjrn 0]

censorship is a MUST. with all the kids roaming around the house seing those uncencored books, or even movies have a very bad influence on them.. it could lead to violence, maliciousness or even rape and worst murder!!

That's not really the fault of books or films is it? Someone killing because it's in a book has got serious problems, the book doesn't. You can't just get out of raising children by blaming books or films.

I can't believe how far it has gotten in America where artists are getting sued for acts by mentally unstable people. The amount of censorship going on in America is also quite bad...

[s243a 0]

The documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 is a combination of 9/11 and this book Fahrenheit 451 - The temperature at which book burns (or something like that). It's about a fireman, well, they're called firemen. But it actually means book burner in this book. It reflects the problems of censorship in the US in the past - anti-communism, and burning of the books by the Nazis.

Hind sight is 20-20. Interesting though.

Censorship definitely compromises aristic and self expression, but how do we discern what has expressive value and what is simply mean to sell. There is, by far, too much money involved in the entertainment industries, and much shameless employment of base psychological manipulations... It is widely known that certain concepts hook and lure the human psyche... concepts like sex and death.

If we enjoy it should it matter? I do think people intentionally push the boundaries for ratings. Personally I think people should be able to watch what they want and young kids are a lot smarter then people will give them credit for. As long as the parent explains to the kid that something is fictional the child should make a clear distinction between entertainment and reality. It is when people dont learn to make these distinctions that problems arise.
But aside from this you must ask whether a lot of things are necessary for a movie or just put there to attract the base instincts as you suggest. For instance, think how many good movies contain just a bit of nudity. Ask your self did it really make the movie better and was it necessary for the plot? For me it is not a problem but I have a muslim friend and he is not suppose to see that stuff. If I want to let him bower a movie. I have to think does it contain nudity. It is a shame that he is not allowed to watch that stuff because it perculdes a lot of good movies.

Hypnotic methods are now staple in advertisement and entertainment. These things are employed to attract our attention and our money.. unfortunately our children tend to be attracted to them as well.
How can we seperate what is intentional psychological victimization and what is genuine expression? I'm not sure we can while human greed has a hand in it. I dont think we should child-safe our entire society.. the populace shouldn't suffer expressive repression because Guardians aren't guarding... but the parents' job should at least be made possible.

I think you are going a little far with this here. If you hear a cuss word or see nudity do you feel victimized? I think it stems from a basic problem in society of a desire to see flash over substance. It is the same thing on a web page. The best pages could be plain text and might not be considered that professional, well a stupid flash presentation might catch everyones eyes.

I'm not sure what the answer is, but it seems to me the entire issue of censorship is based in a much larger problem... the psychological degeneration of our society based on nothing less than Greed. The question isn't "should people be allowed to express their views and opinions".. of that there is no question, American democracy demands it... the question is "should we willingly subject ourselves to brainwashing techniques by those who want our money."

Yeah, commercials suck, but click on the adds . May I ask was it better in the past. Was there ever a time when people didnt want the newest and the best. The so called lets keep up with the Jones. A lot of immorality gets justified in the name of the dollar. Atleast in a way it strength the economy because to keep up with the Jones people must work hard for it or find technological short cuts.

[saladferk 0]

I belive that honesty and free speech are the way to go. Adults should be able to see, read, and hear whatever they want. Kids shuld be allowed the truth, but not potentially damaging things like pornography. The way to prevent kids from doing dangerous things is by tellnig them what they are and how they could hurt you. Don't leave out the other side, though. Pot is a great example of this. Make a list of pros and cons, and ask if the cons or pros list is longer. If it's the cons list, its bad, if its the pros list, the stance is up to them. As for swears... They're just words. Unattractive ones, but words noetheless, and they can't hurt anyone.

[bduttabaruah 0]

This is a dicey question. We do need cendrship but not blind censorship. For example can we allow our children to be exposed to frontal nudity. No we cannot, this of course is of lesser importance when it comes to books, but by and large its a question of censorship. At the same time it is difficult to say how much should be censored and how much is to be allowed. THere is no fixed criteria but there are some unspoken standards in the society and these must be respected at all costs.Censorship is required but in measured doses, especially in a society that is noto mature enough to accept all forms of behaviour and expression!!doc.

[iGuest 3]

I�ve just read the book, and I liked it a lot and I do agree that there shouldn�t be censorship in any form really. At least with television, books and other forms of media. See in the book it not just the books that they censor it�s every thing form schools to the people themselves. I mean in the book you can�t walk outside and not have the police watching you for the rest of your life. What I think is really scary is that this could easily happen to the American society. That�s why we need to watch the governments actions in the near future. I also feel that the ratting systems is okay I like the fact that we know what content is put in some of these things, and it also helps to prevent some of the younglings from getting stuff that they don�t need at that young age.