I received a report that this is image is 'highly offensive' by a user with the reason "The child has Down syndrome and is used abusively by content as ridicule to other users". Does anyone feel this images like this should be censored?
Should images flagged as 'offensive' by users be censored on the site?
- Thread starter davidt
- Start date
I received a report that this is image is 'highly offensive' by a user with the reason "The child has Down syndrome and is used abusively by content as ridicule to other users". Does anyone feel this images like this should be censored?
Iona Mink
Despitemybetterjudgement
Being offended is such a highly subjective emotion. Censoring on that basis alone would be a slippery slope to banning many things based on various sensibilities. I think if you find that it is hate speech that is a different matter but you'd also have to account for an individual's intent when making an assessment.
I find certain things on this site offensive however I don't feel I have any right not to be offended. Everyone is likely to be offended at some point. I would always err on the side of few restrictions rather than trying to police the forum zealously.
Generally registered user posts are not censored unless they are spammers. There are on rare occasions some that are borderline porn / personal information disclosure but otherwise I find censorship of these types of images problematic for the reasons you mentioned. Putting on my personal ignore filter is my preference, rather than censoring for all.
D
Deleted member 1074
Guest
I am 100% against censorship. Cue a load of wankers coming back to say they have been censored. Don't give a flying one. Someone, somewhere is always going to be offended by something. Listen to Jerry Sadowitz, you'll know what I mean.
P.
P.
realitybites
making lemonade
I say no to censorship unless it is extremely racist or pornographic. Even then, I say leave it. But that might be in violation of the TOS. I don't find that image to be offensive. However, when I do see an image I find offensive, I try to step back and ask, is it me? Just me? Maybe it is. But even if everybody were offended, does that mean it should be censored? I don't think so. Of course, what would happen if nothing was moderated? Chaos?
It is a tough call. I DO know that I really appreciate being able to express my opinions and views without worrying about being censored. It makes me feel like I am being treated like the adult that I am. As long as someone is not being systematically harassed, speech and images should stay. Same with profanity. Meat eaters could be offended by burger pics. Where do you draw the line? I hate political correctness. It is eroding the First Amendment in the US. I don't want this place to be some PC safe haven... like that other Moz fan site. I am not even registered there as I don't want some PC queen telling me what is OK to say. My atheist views would have me banned on day one. Screw that. You have a great site here David. Thanks for providing us with a place to meet and mingle and debate... and sometimes fight.
Some anonymous person told me the other day that I should complain about the 'C' word being used in the forums. I will not. I don't want someone telling me what words are OK to use. We are all offended by something and by different things. Like Iona said, it is subjective.
I don't like anyone calling me certain things. Who does? But I don't want anyone censored. People show who they are... who they really are when allowed to speak freely. Hiding behind niceties, covers up realities.
Let the people speak freely and post pics liberally.
It is a tough call. I DO know that I really appreciate being able to express my opinions and views without worrying about being censored. It makes me feel like I am being treated like the adult that I am. As long as someone is not being systematically harassed, speech and images should stay. Same with profanity. Meat eaters could be offended by burger pics. Where do you draw the line? I hate political correctness. It is eroding the First Amendment in the US. I don't want this place to be some PC safe haven... like that other Moz fan site. I am not even registered there as I don't want some PC queen telling me what is OK to say. My atheist views would have me banned on day one. Screw that. You have a great site here David. Thanks for providing us with a place to meet and mingle and debate... and sometimes fight.
Some anonymous person told me the other day that I should complain about the 'C' word being used in the forums. I will not. I don't want someone telling me what words are OK to use. We are all offended by something and by different things. Like Iona said, it is subjective.
I don't like anyone calling me certain things. Who does? But I don't want anyone censored. People show who they are... who they really are when allowed to speak freely. Hiding behind niceties, covers up realities.
Let the people speak freely and post pics liberally.
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Mozza220559
Surmontil 50
This picture was posted here ages ago before and nobody batted an eyelid. It's only a picture of a div kid it's not like the kid is being molested or abused by anyone.
CrystalGeezer
My secret's my enzyme.
Censorship is retarded.
A
Anonymous
Guest
No, I asked why you DO complain about it.
Oh my god. it's Robby!
spontaneously luminescent
this particular image does not offend me so I voted "don't care" 
in the grander scheme of things though I do believe that a little censorship can go along way
towards umm, let's say "greater harmony"
I am not one for the total chaos of supposed "complete freedom" 
much of the good in civilization is based not just on our proscribing our own actions, but that of the group doing so to us when we get out of line
the internet badly needs a little of this, but just a little bit
as opposed to where I currently reside (in RL) here things like "censorship" are taken much too far
in the grander scheme of things though I do believe that a little censorship can go along way
towards umm, let's say "greater harmony"
I am not one for the total chaos of supposed "complete freedom" much of the good in civilization is based not just on our proscribing our own actions, but that of the group doing so to us when we get out of line
the internet badly needs a little of this, but just a little bit
as opposed to where I currently reside (in RL) here things like "censorship" are taken much too far
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lindsey1151
Member
Welcome to the nanny state!
realitybites
making lemonade
this particular image does not offend me so I voted "don't care"
in the grander scheme of things though I do believe that a little censorship can go along way
towards umm, let's say "greater harmony"
much of the good in civilization is based not just on our proscribing our own actions, but that of the group doing so to us when we get out of line
the internet badly needs a little of this, but just a little bit
as opposed to where I currently reside (in RL) here things like "censorship" are taken much too far
You sound agnostic.
Oh my god. it's Robby!
spontaneously luminescent
thanks? the middle of the road aint so bad really, its quite nice actuallyYou sound agnostic.
realitybites
making lemonade
thanks? the middle of the road aint so bad really, its quite nice actually
Sometimes being in the middle is where the fun is at.
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It sucks, doesn't it?!
A
Anonymous
Guest
Can we start posting pornography without getting banned if you are 100% against censorship?
I know the Americans amongst us have a bit more of a forceful view as to freedom of speech, but what is lacking is not censorship - it's empathy.
That child is somebody's loved one and much like the 'potato' pictures and general usage of disabilities to emote humour, shows a distinct lack of empathy/thought/maturity.
There are always other ways to raise a laugh without the need to use a random person's image.
In fact, given most people here are reasonably bright, I would suggest that the best censorship is self censorship - I don't find that image 'highly' offensive, but if feeling empathy or imagining what a parent of said child might think seeing it - I certainly wouldn't post it myself.
I value the freedom of expression here, but value people who can express themselves without the desire to use images like that more.
My two pence/cents.
Cheers,
FWD
That child is somebody's loved one and much like the 'potato' pictures and general usage of disabilities to emote humour, shows a distinct lack of empathy/thought/maturity.
There are always other ways to raise a laugh without the need to use a random person's image.
In fact, given most people here are reasonably bright, I would suggest that the best censorship is self censorship - I don't find that image 'highly' offensive, but if feeling empathy or imagining what a parent of said child might think seeing it - I certainly wouldn't post it myself.
I value the freedom of expression here, but value people who can express themselves without the desire to use images like that more.
My two pence/cents.
Cheers,
FWD
R
Reelaround
Guest
I completely agree with this. It's just so easy to have a laugh at the expense of someone who isn't able to return a repost of what they feel, seeing something like this as posted as a laugh-a-minute. It's a sickness of the soul to laugh about people who were born with such a disabilaty. But to end up on a forum as some kind of vote laughing stock?
I would love to wring the scraggy necks of the people who think that it's actually funny! There but for the grace of god go you!
