Censorship

[R Nitelight]

I was reading a thread today that featured a touching and sensitive story about a much-loved family member. Being a smartass, however, I instantly came up with a smartass response, and rushed to post it. I typed it in and then I previewed it. It was crude and offensive. Funny as hell, but crude and offensive.
I shook my head and hit the clear field button.
I've since done this on three or four other occasions.
Is this common, this form of private self-censorship?

 

[Silverlily]

Are you kidding? Why do you think they put that Preview Reply button in? To save wear and tear the the Back button on my browser.

I've had the editing process on some replies take a good 20 minute or so. To answer your question, yes, I censor myself all the time. Better me than someone else.

 

[Cheri]

Damn, I would have loved to read the smart ass answer. I love a good sarcastic reply but only if it is intended to be funny and not unkind. I love giving them and getting them is even better, though I get far to few of them around here. In my case it reminds me not to take everything so blasted seriously, most of all this board.
I guess I like people who rock the proverbial boat otherwise we could quickly desend to lovey dovey mushey crap. Can we all say YUCK?!?

 

[R Nitelight]

It might have been something along the lines of 'Your mom sounds great. I can't wait to fuck her.'
But then again it might not have.

 

[April]

Judging by some of the hatefulness that gets posted sometimes, I don't think enough people are self-censoring. Fully half of my posts get trashed instead of posted. I find it very therapeutic to write it all out, check it over for appropriateness, then delete it.

 

[Never]

You mean being polite?
Politeness is not political, it is realizing that others have feelings, that your opinion is not the end all and be all, and that insults, degrading remarks and offensive statements are not something to be proud of.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For the devil will drag you under,
By the sharp lapels of your checkered coat.
Sit down,
Sit down,
Sit down, you're rockin' the boat.

 

[Weird Harold]

I self-censor every post, before during and after writing it.

Like April said, there's not enough of that going on.

 

[April]

YES!!! Validation! Woohoo! Okay, shuttin' up now. LOL

 

[Dudley]

And Not to Mention...

Self-censorship is nothing more than asking questions before you shoot. Everybody ought to do it automatically.

While we're on the topic, may I advocate a few other admirable traits, namely self-editing, self-proofreading and self-restraint? Shit, nobody is an expert typist anymore, but I've always felt that respect for one's readers and a desire to present ideas clearly and succinctly ought to dictate a few minutes spent cleaning up the carnage before flailing away at the "submit" button.

 

[Ezzy]

But I agree...

Ditto.
Well for most of the above anyway.Or some of it.

EZ http://smilecwm.tripod.com/turb/sleep-w.gif
Edited by Ezzy on 09-27-2000 at 04:30 AM
Edited by Ezzy on 09-27-2000 at 04:31 AM
Edited by Ezzy on 09-27-2000 at 04:32 AM
Edited by Ezzy on 09-27-2000 at 04:33 AM
Edited by Ezzy on 09-27-2000 at 04:34 AM
Edited by Ezzy on 09-27-2000 at 04:35 AM

[Edited by Ezzy on 09-27-2000 at 04:38 AM]

 

[Wizard]

I found myself hitting the "clear" button several times also............Sometimes it just isn't worth it..............

 

[Magic Merlin]

Same here! The preview button has been the greatest addition to this board since the invention of sliced bread.

Sometimes when the 'smartass' waves are running thick and bouncing off the walls of my house, I hit the preview button and then the flush button.

Now there's a great idea. Put up a "flush" button with sound effects and all.. That way I can drive the point home to myself.....

 

[Cheri]

I understand what everyone here is saying. It is good to read your responses and consider how they will effect the people reading them. I for one don't like posts whose sole purose is to hurt someone, heck I (as well as many others) jumped down the throat of the troll who started that cruel Naked Hunny thread. It had no purpose but to hurt her. But (did you know that was coming?) do we really want this to be another place where we don't allow our real selves to come out? Is this place just supposed to be like work, church or the PTA? Isn't this place supposed to be more than that? Shouldn't it be a place where what we really think and how we really feel comes out? If so, I'm so glad because that's what attracted me here to begin with, if not, well I'm disappointed but I'll live.

 

[Samuari]

I understand what everyone here is saying. It is good to read your responses and consider how they will effect the people reading them. I for one don't like posts whose sole purose is to hurt someone, heck I (as well as many others) jumped down the throat of the troll who started that cruel Naked Hunny thread. It had no purpose but to hurt her. But (did you know that was coming?) do we really want this to be another place where we don't allow our real selves to come out? Is this place just supposed to be like work, church or the PTA? Isn't this place supposed to be more than that? Shouldn't it be a place where what we really think and how we really feel comes out? If so, I'm so glad because that's what attracted me here to begin with, if not, well I'm disappointed but I'll live.

There she goes again, Golly that's one smart cough drop!

No kiding, hun do you REALLY feel, and think the things you post? Sometimes I like to take an idea out, set it
down, and kind of walk arround it. Kinda try it on fer size. Then I may trot it out here to this dog and pony show, and see what this group of geniuses think.

 

[Cheri]

I try to only post what I really think, otherwise what would be the point? I must confess, though there are times I am joking (as lame as it may be) but I try to convey that as well.
You know what's really pissing me off, this is an important thread that Mr. Nite (or should that be Mr. Lite) started, and yet so few people are commenting on it. The idea that we self censor ourselves is one that's been mentioned on numerous threads and yet the same people who complain about it aren't bothering to reply here. Now that pisses me off to no end! Siren, Golden, Jade, and all the others, where the hell are ya? Get your asses over here and debate this with us. Besides no one here seems to agree with me and I'm starting to feel a bit nervous...no one has any rope, right?

 

[Bliss]

Hey Altoid,

I completely freakin' disagree and you can't do nuttin' but sit there and god damn eat it up!

*big earnest eyes* Gee, Mr. DeMille, do I get the part?

Word to your Rooster!
Love,
Snookums

Seriously though, some self censorship is healthy. Being afraid to speak your mind because it might cut across the grain is not. Maybe it's my dna mixture of native amuricane, germanic and yeshuan influence, but I disdain the mob mentality in any form. *shudder*

Therefore, while I mostly try to thunk 'bout it before I hit even the Preview Reply button, I try to still be myself and equally enjoy reading the posts and threads of others who do the same.

 

[Gaucho]

Sorry, guys. I had this great argument all written out and then I went and previewed it and well, the self-censor didn't buy it. Sorry.

 

[Samuari]

I've sat for fifteen minutes and looked at the screen trying to make up my mind about how I would contribute to this discussion. How's that for irony? Cheri, you're roght this too important for my usall wiseass responce (although some interesting puns in connection with both your and Bliss' posts came to mind). Was that self censership? Or was it a dision to keep the debate on the level that it deserves? One of the things that I cherish about Lit is the comunity of diverse opinion that is willing to discuss nearly any topic that is brought forward. The members do so with intelegence and when nessesary, courage. We are also confortable enough to banter and joke around. Its a rare thing, and a good one. I ussally review my posts for 2 things: any glaring eriors and typos (they have to be real bad for me to catch), and did I realy say what I wanted to say (somtimes my brain runs ahead of my fingers and I leave out a modifyer or even whole sentence, and can end up say things that run from the riduless to the discusting).

Finally Bliss, your capon is stuffed and in the oven. Ready in 45 minutes.

 

[Cheri]

Yummm...roasted fowl

I keep posting to this damn thread in the hopes that keeping it at the top of the list will inspire others to read it and contribute their opinion. Then again, I do have a bad habit of killing thread. I'll Blissfully pray to the gods that be to remove the curse this time.

 

[Bliss]

When was the last time you frogged somebody?

LOL! Thank you, Sammikins! Now, where's my snifter of brandy?

That Rooster is a bit on the odd duck side, me thinks. But hell, can't fine him for his all out enthusiasm, given his muse.

*Upside ya head, I said, upside ya head*

*I'm aliiiiiiiiiiive and so are youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!*

___________________________
Peg you, peg you very much!

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

Depends on the week. Normally my response to unpleasantness is to not respond at all. (By the way, the next time someone starts a troll thread don't look at who responds, look at who doesn't respond for a true picture of how much trolling works.) But, some weeks, like this week, I just don't feel like suffering fools gladly, so I post a slam or two, trying very hard to keep it light.

But, yes, I've deleted many a response before hitting "Submit" out of deference for possible hurt feelings. A few get by me, and I (almost) regret them later.

I don't think of this as censorship, but discretion and conscience. I never censor myself.

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

There you go, Cheri, I posted. You happy now? Huh? Huh? God how I hate you.

 

[Womanlover]

Depends on the week. But, some weeks, like this week, I just don't feel like suffering fools gladly,

........avoid mirrors this week.....

 

[Gaucho]

Oh, all right, dammit! Here's the post I was going to submit earlier.

All right, Cheri, I'll bite.

What were we talking about again? Oh yeah, self-censorship. Well, first of all, on this board is there any other kind? I mean, there are a number of people here who will gladly tell you what an asshole you are, that your opinions aren't worth shit, that your mother sucks cocks in hell, and, worst of all, they won't get your jokes. But censorship? No way.

The problem with self-censorship is that it also requires judgment. Or, to put it another way, you have to know yourself well enough to know when you are being an asshole. For many people, this level of self-awareness is one they never achieve. For others, the problem is that they like being assholes. When I was young, I was taught that you never make an argument or disagreement personal. In other words, while it was perfectly fine to have an argument from time to time, if your position was reduced to name-calling then you really didn't have an argument at all. And unfortunately, there has been way too much name-calling on this board.

But also keep in mind that you never really know how anyone will react to what you have to say until you post it. And I'd rather take my chances and read something offensive than run the risk of missing out on a thought provoking post that got swallowed up by someone's internal censor.

 

[Cheri]

There you go, Cheri, I posted. You happy now? Huh? Huh? God how I hate you.

Love and hate are two sides of the same coin babycakes.

Thanks for the response Gaucho, most informative. And I tend to agree with you, it does take knowledge to know when you're being as asshole, as I was above to DixieCup. I still think that too many people self censor, not to limit their natural assholeability, but to not rock the boat. And personally that is what I hate.