For quite some time I've been amazed by the things we censor and how age-limits are designed for movies, games, etc. A bare breast visible in a non-sexual context and it's rated 12 years and older, 16 years and older in a sexual context, 18 and older when in a sexual and violent context (the latter I couldn't agree more to!). But when there's fictional violence "all ages" or "6 years and older under parental supervision" is advised. Which leaves a movie such as Jurassic Park that is absolutely terrifying for the little ones, to be viewed by "all". Our ways of censorship proclaim we'd rather have children and youngsters know that we beat up and kill without regret, than that we have beautiful bodies and make love...
Recently I came across the video "Hurricane", which was on MTV 5 o'clock in the morning, whereas the toddlerprogram Dora Explorer on Nickelodeon (only one channel apart) had already begun. MTV was still broadcasting over-18-uncensored-stuff. So the setting was weird to begin with...
Great song and the clip is surreal and beautiful when it comes to cinematography, lighting and is edited excellently, but it's rather violent and sexual. How surprised I was when I saw the censored version; I had expected to be nothing left of it. But what are we not allowed to see in broad daylight: mostly breasts, nipples, a little caressing of the buttocks, etc. And a few shots that could in fact be called shocking; exchanging bodily fluids, gagging with a dildo, etc. We do get to see people beating the shit out of each other, stabbing each other, getting locked up in coffins and girls getting all tied up, dressed up SM-like and gagged... Which comes down to that virtually nothing changes to the sinister violent and sexual atmosphere this video breaths through the screen. Both versions of the clip can be viewed at: [url=http://www.thirtysecondstomars.com/]THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS /// HURRICANE
Is it just me that I find this weird??? I'd expect censorship to be about so much more than covering nipples! :(
No RedRoses it is not just you that sees this.Just yesterday i was listening to a radio segment about such a topic.The presenter and his guest were discussing the relationship between violent video games and adolescent behaviour.My sons are gamers,so i listened.It was more aimed at Mature Audience 15+ games (MA15+)and how children as young as 9 or 10 can readily access them and play.Australian classifications are not as tough as other countries.For example "Grand Theft Auto 4" is R18+ in the United States but only MA15+ over here.This is a violent game with shooting,stabbing,prostitues,grand theft,homicide and sexual overtones.As mentioned above children as young as 9 can view all of this whilst playing the game.
The behaviour of pre adolescent children has also been brought into question.It has been observed by experts,parents and the like(myself included)that there is an increase in violent behaviour amongst pre teens and adolescents.I have noticed myself when my son almost 13 plays these games.I have an older son who is 17 and able to readily purchase violent video games MA15+rating.I would prefer my sons not to play these games but have advised them of the dangers of mixing fantasy with reality.My almost 13 yr old has often been grounded from playing the games for exhibiting violent behaviour.I have also noticed a change in attitude in him towards me since he has been playing the games.He has been disobedient,disrespectful ,violent and agressive.Since yesterday i have spoken to my youngest son of what i heard,and advised him that he is only to play PG (Parental Guidance)or G (General)games from now on and his brother is not to play MA15+ or M games in his presence anymore.I had been supervising my sons whilst they played these games,but that in itself is not always enough
i find it interesting that parents say that violent war games are a cause of worry, but there is strong backlash when schools try to pull violent war book, i remember in middle school reading a book called blue angels about Vietnam, entirely fiction but still pretty good, in the book there was a scene where a mother strapped a mine to her child and used that to kill i GI. and if my parents had tried to claim that that book would cause my view of real violence and fantasy violence to mix they would be called closed minded censors. as a gamer myself i fully know the difference between killing the video display of a human figure and a real live person. just as there is a big difference between checkmate and killing a live monarch. it's fantasy and people who play games know that. and anyone who can't tell the difference has issues to begin with and should be monitored. for my final point i will refer you to penn and teller
[url=http://www.gametrailers.com/user-movie/penn-teller-bullshit-video/323669... & Teller Bullshit!:Video Games | Video Clip | Game Trailers & Videos | GameTrailers.com
Interesting points, RG and Weasel!
The influence of videogames
I don't think videogames are necessarily bad for kids, they can be good in fact.
Allow me to quote from the website of [url=http://www.pegi.info/]PEGI Pan European Game Information (the European age rating system for videogames).
[INDENT]The research on the impact of videogames has been focused primarily on violence. Numerous studies have been published, but until today there is no evidence that playing violent video games causes any long-term or lasting increase in aggressiveness or violence among players.[/INDENT]
Interesting is that there is also no evidence that playing violent video games causes NO lasting increase in aggressiveness or violence among players.
There is a very interesting report by "kennisnet"; an independent foundation that advises schools on the usage of ICT. This report is a summary of scientific research. In Dutch only, helas: http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:yc-ojtoBN70J:redactie.kennisne...) When reading this summary the fact is that researchers are simply not sure and divided into two camps. The shortterm effects appear as unclear as the longterm. Some see violent and aggressive behavior and thoughts in children, some studies don't. There's even research that suggests children could go "numb"; not being violent, but accepting violence in daily life due to being exposed to violence frequently in games.
One thing that does seem agreeable among researchers, is that videogames can be very beneficial!:)
[INDENT]they can foster creativity and interaction and can play an important role in social and intellectual development. Games can help to introduce newcomers to technology and foster interest in ICT. Because games require children to obey rules and follow directions, they can increase their capacity for self-discipline and autonomy. Puzzles, board games, adventures and quests offer opportunities for players to develop strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Games can be used to increase fine motor and spatial skills in younger children and can have advantages for those with physical disabilities.[/INDENT]
References to specific studies can be found on both the site of PEGI as the Kennisnet-report.
Agerating and development
Exposing children to violence and the proper age to do so, is defined by the development of children. In which they learn how to behave by copying behavior, learn to distinguish reality from fiction and over time develop skills to predict the consequences of their actions. The latter takes up till our early twenties to oversee complex and longterm consequences (synchrony with the development of the brains)
About fantasy violence
What I think should be taken into account is that especially young children do fantasize a lot, still believe and fear those "monsters under their beds". Even fictional violence can therefor be terrifying to them and haunt them for night and nights (any parent will agree). Therefor the ageratingsystem doesn't seem to take into account the well-being of the child.
And since the borderline between fact and fiction is not completely established and children can hurt each other badly without meaning to (lack of foreseeing consequences) I don't see why we allow this fantasy-violence when it comes to little children.
The naked truth
I haven't found any research so far that says that displaying naked bodies, especially in a non-sexual context, has negative effects on children; short- or longterm. Anyone that does know of such studies, please do share! :)
My best guess is that this part of censorship is only because we've alienated from our bodies and have created shame in our society.
I completely agree with you RedRoses. This acceptance of violence and suppression of natural beauty is perplexing to me. I wonder if this view is in some way related to religious attitude towards sex and sexuality, where sex at best portrayed as something of a guilty pleasure.
At least for movies I find very helpful to look at IMDB's parental guide advisory wiki page, where users could list specific details of what one may find offensive.
im not sure
I believe teletubies should be censored, Dora is ok I was watching it with a little hyper red head... On another sad note, I notice parents not fit to be parents. This is troubling to see, these kids are stuck in front of the tv just so they will be occupied for the maximum amount of time, they dont care what kind of cartoon they are watching, whatever happened to actual playing, to a parent that cares at least a minimum. I promised myself I should do no such thing, actually people keep telling me my dog as better manners than most children they know. I did not have much censorship as a kid with movies, I watched James Bond with my father, I watched Chucky really young, and I still hate it today, my parents were often naked in the house, and I learned to shoot firearms at 6, Ive never really had much interest for them apart as collector antiques. If anything, being exposed while in a healthy environment did not define my interests at all. So how is the TV become a parent now? I dont really watch much tv, but I do now its got nothing over what I can do to have fun.
The insanity of it all is simple: the Zionist controlled media of Hollywood (along with the Zionist controlled news media), push in front of us images and scenes of sex and violence parents have tried to protect their children from for hundreds of years. It is mind rape on a scale so massive and so permeating that there is almost nowhere to go to get away from it.
We sit and watch violence day in day out for literally our entire lives -- and everyone wonders why we're so violent.
Many of the violent video games children play are the same ones the Army uses to train soldiers to kill. We are raising an army of little killers (who will serve when they are old enough to do so in one of our many endless, stupid wars).
Walt Disney films are 100% pure evil. Don't let your children watch their garbage.
Don't even get me started on the evening news and the trash those fools spew.
Reference: "On Combat" and "On Killing" by Lt. Colonel David Grossman. "Fear Less" by Gavin deBecker.