I while back I posted a response that contained references to the 'F' word. Mind you, I did not type the word, but simply an 'f' followed by some asterisks.
Well the moderator stepped in and edited it, replacing the 'f' with an asterisk, then sent me the following e-mail:
"Hello Kendor This message is to inform you that your post in the thread titled "Continuing the Rap Argument" was edited because it contained profanity. In the future please do not bypass the language filter. Keep in mind when posting that people of all ages and cultures visit AnswerPool.com, and younger people especially, will be attracted to the Rap forum."
My argument in the first place was against rap for just that reason, that most of it contains profanity. Are the moderators here applying double standards? Answer pool is on the exact same level as recorded music as far as availability and censorship are concerned.
"Keep in mind when supporting crude lyrics that people of all ages and cultures like music, and younger people especially, will be attracted to the Rap medium." ****************************************************** 01-19-03, 02:02 PM MkStfnz Kendor, while the moderators of this forum cannot control the media produced by the rap industry, their job is to control the language of the forums here.
It is an ironic situation though. I do find it amusing.
01-19-03, 03:45 PM SeattleRon well kendor i believe in no censorship at all. as this is a country built on our rights to certain freedoms. The most important being the freedom of speech. I would like nothing more than to just let loose and cuss all the time on here, but there are rules. Personally i think it's terrible that they censored your semi-cussword. it was only the letter F. well, now you know how Eminem and the other rappers feel whenever they get censored.
01-19-03, 04:45 PM Karrow Kendor
Typing the word as you did is counted as an attempt to bypass the language filter. It clearly states in the AnswerPool rules, which you agreed to abide by when you registered:
"Attempting to bypass the language filter by substituting symbols for some of the letters in an obscene or profane word is also a contravention of the site's rules."
The AnswerPool moderators freely give their time (and patience!) to check posts for any contravention of the rules. They have one standard - that set by those rules. I therefore find it very distasteful when members publicly "have a go" at the moderators who are giving help and support to try to make this site a better place for everyone.
If you have a complaint, direct it to the people who make the rules - the administrators. E-mail us at admin@answerpool.com instead of criticising a fellow member, whose only crime is caring enough about AnswerPool to spend some of his precious time each day moderating posts.
01-19-03, 06:42 PM Kendor Karrow: I'm not complaining a bit about any of the moderators' actions. I’m glad they’re here. I was merely pointing out the irony of the exchange. (thanks for catching that, MkStfnz). And I'm sorry, you're right about the rules Karrow. I felt no need to read them when I joined as I was an avid member of Ans**r P**nt, and Mr. J**v*s would allow posting initial letters as I did. Thanks for delivering my error to mine, and everyone else’s, attentions.
Mr. SeattleRon: If, and when, you ever have children you will change your mind about censorship, and probably much more. (If I'm wrong then there's no need for me to wonder why our fragile world is heading the way it is). Good luck in your recording career. Really.
Jeeze!
01-19-03, 11:19 PM Karrow Thank you for your understanding, Kendor.
Yes, I saw the irony! But as always, when I thought one of our superb team of AnswerPool Moderators was being unfairly blamed, I had to put the record straight.
I agree absolutely with your statement "Keep in mind when supporting crude lyrics that people of all ages and cultures like music, and younger people especially, will be attracted to the Rap medium". Well said! Wink
01-20-03, 02:49 AM Ritzmar Merely as a point ofinterest I cerainly have huge double standards. I worked in rock bands travelling on the road for long periods. Our choice of vocabulary was, often, exactly that; choice. Nowadays as a teacher I meet parents of pupils regularly who ask me how their offspring are progressing. We discuss in a very different way how things are going, and whether satisfactory work is being done.
Over a pint with a neighbour at 11.00 pm our informal chat is different again. Were I to apply in writing for an important job then again my approach would be quite different. I have no problem with the way Answerpool wishes to run its own site. If I had, I would find another place to spend my time and abide by their rules instead. My children are aged 31, 29 & 27. What they say to their friends in private is of no interest to me. Were they to speak to their mother using the same kind of words that can still surface when I converse with old friends informally in private, then I would have plenty to say about it. Yes, I employ double standards and will continue to do so, I fear, for the rest of my life.
01-20-03, 12:33 PM Kendor I get your point Ritzmar. And please don't think that this topic was meant to be derogatory towards you or the other moderators.
But when you use the term "double standards", perhaps we are not on the same page. My feeling is that a double standard would be more like not using foul language around one's own children, but curse like the devil around other children. Or condoning foul language in one easily accessible medium, (rap), then supporting its censorship in another, (AnswerPool). (I’d like to see it censored in both mediums).
My kids are 11 & 9 and I have great concern for their upbringing. I don't want them to think that it's okay to curse and act lewdly, at any age. (Because it's not). And if I don't emphasize that when they are young then I will have failed altogether. That's why I stand up so tall against rap. It's not the 'art' of rap itself but its usual content of putrid verse that I despise. We have no control over what the little ears of our young ones will be exposed to outside of our homes and I just want to be sure my 'stand' is obvious to everyone. It's time to regain control of our destiny through our children. It's the only way.
01-20-03, 02:43 PM SeattleRon if and when i do have children i will care about censorship as i do now. I agree with freedom of speech, but there are limits. If you are around people who don't appreciate that kind of language then have respect not to use it. I never use profanity in public places unless i'm in a car with my friends. As far as music goes it is not the artists responsibility to prevent kids from listening to their music. That is what they have parents for. If they listen to the radio there are no bad words in the music. Now if they have the cd then somebody over the age of 18 had to have purchased it for them. More than likely a parent. If i had kids i certainly wouldn't allow them to listen to profane music until I knew they were responsible enough to distinguish right from wrong. It's easier for us to put the blame on why things are messed up on musicians, movies and tv shows. Instead of pointing the fingers squarely where they need to be pointed at, ourselves. I agree there is no way to shield children 100% from rudeness and profanity that they get exposed to on a daily basis outside of the home, but you can prevent it when in your household. You can't watch them 24 hours a day, but you can do your best at watching them in your home and listening to the cd they want first before you let them listen to it.
01-21-03, 01:32 AM Ritzmar I think that we are all on the same side here, when we look for the bottom line...cheers! Wink
01-21-03, 02:59 AM babthrower I agree with sensible standards on Answerpool because it is intended for a general audience.
It's like television. I see quite explicit programming during daytime, when some parents use TV as a babysitter.
The same parents who don't explain anything to their kids.
I wonder what the little kids make of it?
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
