4/23 Viewpoints

Hmmm... Today's homework is about Censorship, something I have rather... mixed feelings about. But I shall speak of those later on in the assignment. First, let us get the ever-so-boring comprehension questions out of the way:



Assume that our next debate will have the resolution, "There should be limits to free speech."


1) For chapter 1, write three things based on the reading that supports the above resolution. This is the "pro" argument.

1. There are a lot of things that ARE indeed censorship, but people usually don't think of them when debating censorship. Examples include banning porn from places children can easily access, and copyright laws.

2. The Founding Fathers and the First Amendment itself weren't against censorship. The First Amendment is a prohibition against the federal government restricting free press.

3. There are several types of censorship that people don't think of as censorship, but as "responsible policy." Trying to ban stealth advertising, for example.

2) For chapter 2, write three things based on the reading that goes against the above resolution. This is the "con" argument.

1. "If only popular ideas were protected, we wouldn't need a First Amendment.

2. Government is more apt to use censorship to prosecute minorities than protect them.

3. Freedom of Expression is Essential to a Free Society.

3) Write a paragraph where you state your opinion on the issue. It should include some evidence from the reading, but it does not have to follow each viewpoint to the letter. You can also include ideas and evidence from other sources or individuals.

Hmmm... at this, I am rather torn. There are certain types of censorship I wholeheartedly believe in, like copyright (especially now that the genius idea known as Creative Commons is now in effect), but me being the game developer I am, there's a lot of censorship in media that I don't quite agree with (Like the mindless drivel Jack Thompson tries to pass). The problem is, the media (and lawyers) tend to hype up the tiniest of subjects, just so they can make money out of it. The most popular, of course, is either

1. Anything that can be connected to people murdering people, no matter how bewildering the connection
2. Any Racist, Sexist, Slanderous, and otherwise mean-spirited things said on air. Apparently, the old adage "Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words shall never hurt me" only applies to minors.

I would go on to explain my reasoning to this, but I'm sure you'd all find that rather boring. Instead, I shall post a quick excerpt of a chat I had with a friend of mine today. I'm very sure that it's easier to understand a person as you watch him in action, as opposed to him trying to dissect his own thoughts:

(This chat was slightly edited. Don't worry, all I did was clean up some spelling errors, and remove a few out-of-context bits from what we were talking about earlier ;))

"Veronica: so, are you for or against censorship?
me: I'm for certain kinds of censorship
not all of it
I mean, I believe in copyright in stuff
(Especially now that they have creative commons!)
Veronica: lol
me: But not like, y'know, certain kinds of censorship in media
Veronica: what about censoring things that could raise national panic?
me: Well, that depends
Veronica: on what?
5:52 PM me: Give me a situation
because a lot of things people say will raise national panic
but not all do
Like... if I could find it in the packet...
the Pentagon Papers, for example
The papers that were leaked back in the Vietnam war
5:53 PM that explained why they were in the war
5:55 PM everyone said those would cause a bunch of panic
but they didn't
5:56 PM Veronica: hmm... lemme think up a situation...
5:57 PM umm... hmm...
pictures of the war in Iraq, or of soldiers dieing
5:58 PM if people saw those, they could press stronger against the president in trying to stop it
your opinion?
5:59 PM me: Well...
Sure, that causes some... unrest in some people
but they throw those out already, and I see no riots in the streets
well...
not often.
Veronica: point taken
6:00 PM do you think the government should allow the photos to be printed?
me: Of course!
Veronica: mhmm
what about slander?
6:01 PM me: Hmmm...
Veronica: or anything that can make the president look bad, even if it's true?
me: That's a tough one
For sure, false statements shouldn't be allowed if they're slanderous
but the true ones...
hmmm...
6:02 PM Veronica: because, obviously, false statements aren't protected by the first amendment, but those that are true are
me: mhmm
Veronica: so by trying to keep the president's image, aren't the Bill of Rights being violated?
6:03 PM me: I suppose, yes.
Although, my knowledge of such politics is... lacking XD (EDITORS NOTE: Apparently, America has become so media-driven that a man has to waste his life in front of some passive medium, like a television, just to keep up with the modern day world, eh?)
6:04 PM Veronica: but on the other hand, people want to be able to trust their president, and isn't there a saying "Ignorance is bliss"? some people think what they don't know wont hurt them, but is that really a good reason to hold potentally thought provoking information?
6:05 PM opinions?
me: Ignorance IS bliss, true, BUT...
Knowledge IS power, no?
6:06 PM So I suppose, if you don't like, don't listen.
Veronica: but should the information be available?
me: yes
6:07 PM Hey, do you mind if I use this chat as part of my homework today?
I'm sure a few people would find it rather interesting :D"

END OF LINE. STANDBY FOR OBLIGATORY EE PLUG:

So, throughout the production of Eternity's End so far, I've been really experimenting with the concept of a virtual office (Partly inspired by Tom Clancy's talk of it in "Teeth of the Tiger"). Until now, I've only been recruiting classmates and close friends, so I can still meet up with them in person if the Virtual office fails.

Well, I feel confident, and feel like stepping up this concept to the next level. Now's the time to, ah, "overcome topography through the use of the topological plane", as McKenzie Wark's "Gamer Theory" would probably put it.

I've decided that I MAY be publicly hiring for the last main voice-acting job, the voice of the younger of the two princesses of Kakana and the mercenary team's only Kunoichi, Dimona. However, I'm going to be a lot more strict. You gotta go through an audition, of sorts. In reality, that just means email us, I'll send you back a little script, and you send me back the soundclips.

I warn you though, since this is a REALLY BIG test on the concept of a virtual office, you gotta be serious about this. That doesn't necessarily mean putting in 16+ hours of work a day (Although I would love it if you do ;)), but just that you don't fall behind too much.

Oh, there are also a bunch of little jobs up for grabs, too. These are only a few lines or so, so these aren't as serious ;) For all genders, too!

Also, if anyone is good at designing towns, I really need help in that. I'm horrible at it.

So, if anyone is interested, mail us at eternitysendrecruiting@gmail.com