M
Mikeymike
Guest
Here's a topic that is sure to open a big can of worms. I'm very curious to hear other peoples' opinions about this. I'm sure this topic has been done before, but we can use something fresh to get the boards more active (and I'm bored). Plus a little controversy never hurt anyone. I'm not directing this at anyone in particular and I apologize in advance b/c my tone does come off a little more hostile than I desired, but this has been bothering me for awhile.
Why are certain words censored on the CPA? I understand the 'Big 7' (is that the right number? Ask George Carlin) and why they are bleeped out, but others I don't understand. Granted, I know the CPA is a family oriented in theory, but in reality that isn't the case. About 90% of the Magic community are Males 15-25 (estimation but I doubt I'm not far off). That is not a family oriented audience unless you live somewhere in the world where people get married at 15 and become soccer-moms by 22. The CPA is not family oriented, it is Magic player oriented. I've yet to see a topic 'Teaching your kids Magic'.
The words I'm going to focus on for my argument are A*S, H*LL, CR*P, and P*SS: or the Small 4. Here are some things I've noticed about the following words. A lot of the following is subjective, but then again isn't everything you read subjective?
- I can't type the Small 4 themselves but I can type a$$, arse, h3ll, helk, and pi$$ w/o problems. The intention is 100% understood, when you see these alternate spellings you know exactly what's being referred to. Is looking at the complete word (as opposed to thinking it) going to burn my eyes out? I don't get it, to me its just as bad as the real spellings. If anything its worse b/c its putting an unecessary protective shield over something that doesn't need it, giving it a negative connotation to common words. Last time I checked my calendar it was 2001, not 1951 and ducking under a desk isn't going to save your sorry butt from a Hydrogen Bomb.
- The majority of the intelligent population doesn't even flinch when they hear these 4 words, let alone are they even remotely offended by them. I would also say that on the whole, the majority of the CPA population has above average intelligence and can definitely handle these 4. So by editing out them who are we protecting? 8 year olds? If they are smart enough to find this website don't you think they can easily make their way to a much more offensive .com?
- They are common in our media. Granted, this probably isn't the strongest arguement considering I saw nipple on NBC 2 weeks ago (Jerry McGuire), but these 4 words are used in advertising and even movie and TV show titles. Jackass, From Hell, Damn Yankees, etc. Like it or not, global society and culture are constantly maturing and desensitizing to everything. Its the way of life. I can really over-emphasize this point but I think you can understand why this is more of a good thing than a bad thing. Times change, you gotta change with them.
- Usually, a statement loses a lot of its value/mood/resolve when 1 of these words are removed from it. Colorful language is simply more fun. To say a person is simply an a$$ implies so many things that an alternate word just can't cover.
- Did you swear when you were a kid? Yeah, I did too. All kids do, its part of growing up and you're can't stop it. They learn their limits as they mature, just like you did.
OK I'm done. Thanks for reading, now share your opinion.
Why are certain words censored on the CPA? I understand the 'Big 7' (is that the right number? Ask George Carlin) and why they are bleeped out, but others I don't understand. Granted, I know the CPA is a family oriented in theory, but in reality that isn't the case. About 90% of the Magic community are Males 15-25 (estimation but I doubt I'm not far off). That is not a family oriented audience unless you live somewhere in the world where people get married at 15 and become soccer-moms by 22. The CPA is not family oriented, it is Magic player oriented. I've yet to see a topic 'Teaching your kids Magic'.
The words I'm going to focus on for my argument are A*S, H*LL, CR*P, and P*SS: or the Small 4. Here are some things I've noticed about the following words. A lot of the following is subjective, but then again isn't everything you read subjective?
- I can't type the Small 4 themselves but I can type a$$, arse, h3ll, helk, and pi$$ w/o problems. The intention is 100% understood, when you see these alternate spellings you know exactly what's being referred to. Is looking at the complete word (as opposed to thinking it) going to burn my eyes out? I don't get it, to me its just as bad as the real spellings. If anything its worse b/c its putting an unecessary protective shield over something that doesn't need it, giving it a negative connotation to common words. Last time I checked my calendar it was 2001, not 1951 and ducking under a desk isn't going to save your sorry butt from a Hydrogen Bomb.
- The majority of the intelligent population doesn't even flinch when they hear these 4 words, let alone are they even remotely offended by them. I would also say that on the whole, the majority of the CPA population has above average intelligence and can definitely handle these 4. So by editing out them who are we protecting? 8 year olds? If they are smart enough to find this website don't you think they can easily make their way to a much more offensive .com?
- They are common in our media. Granted, this probably isn't the strongest arguement considering I saw nipple on NBC 2 weeks ago (Jerry McGuire), but these 4 words are used in advertising and even movie and TV show titles. Jackass, From Hell, Damn Yankees, etc. Like it or not, global society and culture are constantly maturing and desensitizing to everything. Its the way of life. I can really over-emphasize this point but I think you can understand why this is more of a good thing than a bad thing. Times change, you gotta change with them.
- Usually, a statement loses a lot of its value/mood/resolve when 1 of these words are removed from it. Colorful language is simply more fun. To say a person is simply an a$$ implies so many things that an alternate word just can't cover.
- Did you swear when you were a kid? Yeah, I did too. All kids do, its part of growing up and you're can't stop it. They learn their limits as they mature, just like you did.
OK I'm done. Thanks for reading, now share your opinion.