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Censorship - the creeping assassin of free speech.

We have a tendency to 'self-censor' our own thoughts; for instance, when we encounter someone who smells; we refrain from asking 'have you never heard of soap and water stinky?' We do so, for two reasons. 1 Consideration for the person's feelings. 2 Because we don't know how they will react and we might get a punch on the nose. This innate tendency for self-censorship has now been hijacked by the PC brigade to the extent that now even the most innocuous comments can be deemed 'offensive' to some people. Mary Whitehouse will be turning in her grave, wishing she could be alive today, she would be the darling of the lovers of political correctness. Media editors and website moderators also wield immense power when it comes to views which conflict with their own. 'I don't like what you have written/said, so I won't publish it.' But, do we need Big Brother to decide what we can and can't say, after all, when freedom of speech has been stifled, freedom of thought will be next on the list.


Created By on 02/09/2016

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celtwitch Original Poster
3rd Sep 2016 20:27:04 (Last activity: 3rd Sep 2016 20:28:38)
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Someone once said, 'if you want to know who controls you, first find out who you are not allowed to criticise.' That may not be a verbatim quotation, but it's close enough.
Where is this leading us, and what can we do to counter the erosion of our cherished free speech?
Response from celtwitch Original Poster made on 3rd Sep 2016 20:28:38
I notice that all my posts and comments now are flagged 'awaiting approval' it seems that I'm on the 'watch list' just for telling the truth.
Boots
3rd Sep 2016 13:51:09 (Last activity: 3rd Sep 2016 14:48:40)
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I think freedom of thought is virtually here already. We are taught what is now correct to say, and therefore think, and what isn't so we shouldn't think about it.

Watched the Bake Off programme the other night, and yes there were a couple of double innuendos but nothing really too awful when you think of what once was allowed to be said in a comedy programme, and I do presume although the baking part of this programme is serious, there is no reason why there shouldn't be a bit of comedy. The next day there was an article in the paper about people complaining about what had been said by the presenters including Mary Berry as if they had committed a cardinal sin. Maybe I am naive, but I didn't know what some of the words that upset some people even meant. Not sure whether Mary Berry knew about sticky grass. I certainly didn't although having given it some thought have an idea. My OH had not heard of that as being upsetting to some people.
Response from jeanmark made on 3rd Sep 2016 14:09:13
Totally agree Boots but surely you meant freedom from thought.
Response from Boots made on 3rd Sep 2016 14:48:40
Jeanmark I was responding to celtwitch and the comment that when freedom of speech was stifled then the next would be freedom of thought which I think is well on the way to being stopped. So maybe you right it should be freedom from thought, just be morons as many people seem to have become already.
Blocat
2nd Sep 2016 17:37:49 (Last activity: 2nd Sep 2016 19:11:55)
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I agree Celtwitch things have gone far too far. It seems there is a PC brigade who get out of bed each morning and scour the media looking for reasons to be 'offended.' I came upon an example at a writers group. I mentioned that when I started school we had a slate on which to write and copy things from the blackboard.
I was immediately taken to task and told it was now called a chalkboard. The word blackboard could cause offence. I asked how precisely when clearly it is a board and is black? I got a psycho babble response.
Late,r passing the same person, I heard her telling a colleague about something she uses the whiteboard for. The irony was completely lost on this idiot.
Response from jeanmark made on 2nd Sep 2016 19:11:55
I have had a similar experience when taken to task by someone for calling it a blackboard. Later I referred to the 'marker' board and was asked by the same person "isn't that a white board" I responded by stating "We don't use that term as it could cause offence".
Treehugger1
2nd Sep 2016 17:57:03
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You have made a very valid point Celtwitch. I have caught myself recently thinking about something and because of the vehement views expressed by different factions I have found myself asking the question 'Am I racist/sexist/ anythingist', whereas until now I have been known as a very liberal 'live and let live' type of person but now I question my own attitudes which haven't changed, but the pervading atmosphere among people ready to take offence at the smallest hint of 'ism' even if it's not intended that way make me doubt myself and my own thinking.
jeanmark
2nd Sep 2016 14:12:50 (Last activity: 2nd Sep 2016 16:08:46)
3
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I have mixed thoughts on this issue. I agree a number of us have a tendency to 'self-censor' and usually for the reasons you have said.The problem is there will always be someone who believes freedom of speech gives them the right to say what they like despite the impact it may have on others, and then complain to the authorities when someone is hurt and punches them in the nose.

Like you I believe the PC brigade have taken over to the extent that things are censored too much.
What may appear reasonable to one person can offend the sensibilities of the other, you therefore spend most of your time treading on eggs shells in case some one is offended at something you say. No thought is given to you as an individual who may be offended by the very action of being censored because one person has objected to a particular word. Having said that I do believe a degree of censorship is necessary.
Response from celtwitch Original Poster made on 2nd Sep 2016 14:57:38
I wonder what Bernard Manning would have made of PC and censorship?
Response from jeanmark made on 2nd Sep 2016 15:45:51
I'm sure he would have made an inappropriate remark but it would still have made people laugh. Mind you I was never fan of his.
Response from anf1408 made on 2nd Sep 2016 16:08:46
Celtwitch, I think you make an important point regarding comedy. So many topics are now off limits, tv comedy has become a pale impression of what it once was. This is why the recent re-makes of some of the classic comedies such as Are You Being Served? on the BBC were so terrible in comparison to the originals. It is also why cutting satire, such as Spitting Image, is no longer broadcast. It is also why you would have seen Bernard Manning on tv in the 1970s but Frankie Boyle was recently cut from Comic Relief. Comedy should be judged on whether it is funny, not on whether it might offend. Those calling for a blanket censorship of jokes on a sensitive issue without considering the context of the joke are themselves breeding a regime of intolerance and blind ignorance. Fortunately, there are still some comedians who realise a tv career is not everything.

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