I'm a big fan of Anthony Bourdain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Bourdain),so much so that I download episodes of his show from the net that haven't yet been aired in Europe.

Of course these are shows aired for and meant for an american audience and so I live with the Parental Guidance Warnings before and after each commercial break.

Hell, we wouldn't want little Tommy to actually know where meat comes from or that not everyone says grace before a meal. Oh noes, that might mentally scar the little bugger for life!

But now the Food Channel has reached new levels of 'Nanny State-ism'!

I have just watched the 'Namibia'(which we still call 'Sud-West'btw) episode. And suddenly there was a parental warning that the next scenes included shots of Indigenous Nakedness!

Which , having risked my eternal soul to watch, i can tell you actually meant some passing shots of african bushman women with naked breasts. Yep, thats right folks, believe it or not, those poor benighted indigenous gals not only don't wear bras, don't wear beyounce t-shirts, infact they don't wear anything upstairs at all.

They flaunt their Satan's Pillows for all to see!!!

Aw come on America, puhleezze!

Look I was raised in an evangelical home, an upbringing that makes your average Southern Baptist look like a gay lovin' pinko liberal. But even my parents never felt the need to shield me from the fact that women have breasts! Nor did it bother them if a bbc documentary showed naked african villagers.

And even as a teen with a 24/7 erection I don't think I found it in the slightest erotic.



[This message has been edited by jackketch (edited 03-10-2007).]

As long as you expect no further contribution from me, I wholeheartedly agree.

Funny things get censored in our modern age.

They don't even like letting kids into R rated movies anymore.

I kind of agree, even though I am an american, our censor laws are fucking retarded. Ive been watching "R" rated movies since i was six. I watched American Pie with my parents when I was eight. Guess what, I get straight As, and as model as a smart-ass teenager you can get. Go fucking figure, our laws protect us...what a crock of shit...

...And how about we do a search for "censorship in Europe" eh?

quote:Originally posted by GusMk4:

...And how about we do a search for "censorship in Europe" eh?

Don't get me wrong, i think all censorship is retarded. And we Euro's certainly have our fair share of censorship. Hell, I grew up in an age when Irish politicians were 'gagged' or had to have their statements revoiced by an actor!

That wasn't the point of this thread.



[This message has been edited by jackketch (edited 03-10-2007).]

quote:Originally posted by silent_trouble:

I agree, even though I am an American, our censor laws are fucking retarded. Ive been watching "R" rated movies since i was six. I watched American Pie with my parents when I was eight. Guess what, I get straight As, and as model as a smart-ass teenager you can get. Go fucking figure, our laws protect us...what a crock of shit...

For sure. I've been playing gory, violent M-rated video games since age 10 or so, and been watching R-rated movies as long as I can remember. Hell, I've secretly looked at porn from the day I hit puberty. Guess what? I'm a straight-A student, in all advanced classes, I've been accepted to some kickass colleges, I play sports and I'm very social. Censorship, ratings, "adult content," it's all bullshit. I hate living in America more and more as I see this kind of shit. It's all because of the original settlers and their puritan views, they viewed anything pleasurable (especially with regards to the human body) as evil, and that mentality has carried through to modern times. If anything, it's even more ridiculous now than it was back then. No wonder they were persecuted, christ. Fucking prudes.



[This message has been edited by Shadowhunter_36 (edited 03-10-2007).]

quote:Originally posted by jackketch:

That wasn't the point of this thread.

Ah right, how about we do a search for STUPID censorship in Europe?

quote:Originally posted by GusMk4:

Ah right, how about we do a search for STUPID censorship in Europe?

quote: Web Results 1 - 10 of about 1,090,000 for stupid censorship europe. (0.10 seconds)

but like I said this thread isn't about censorship but about the very singular american take on morality.

I do find it amusing how some people bitch how games and movies that are prohibited to audiences below the age of 18 can damage children. I mean, what's the logic in that? People are bad parents so the material should be censored? Yeah, thanks but you shouldn't have children if you're afraid they'll break if they see some tits in a film at the age of 15

Sad thing is they think the sight of breasts will corrupt young children's minds and make them a negative force on society.

OOOH THE EVIL BOOBS, WILL MAKE MY SON A RAPIISSTT NOOOOOO

Violence and gore... fine.

Female anatomy... *gasp*

Censoring things stigmatises them. It's counter-productive. The more you hide things, the more people will want to see them, and with the availability of information and media in this day and age, the more people will see them.

quote:Originally posted by Mr.Happy:

Censoring things stigmatises them. It's counter-productive. The more you hide things, the more people will want to see them, and with the availability of information and media in this day and age, the more people will see them.

*phones broker to buy stock in 'Kalahari Hot Chicks Inc.*

quote:Originally posted by jackketch:

but like I said this thread isn't about censorship but about the very singular american take on morality.

It sounds like you're Bitching, moaning, flaming, and complaining. (http://tinyurl.com/gns5m) to me... But then again, I guess the good days of S&A being about... Sex and Affection... Are gone, eh?

quote:Originally posted by GusMk4:

It sounds like you're Bitching, moaning, flaming, and complaining. (http://tinyurl.com/gns5m) to me... But then again, I guess the good days of S&A being about... Sex and Affection... Are gone, eh?

Nope I'm not...well ok yes I am , but I'm also looking for insights into this strange mindset regarding what parents should allow children to see -regarding nudity.

quote:Originally posted by GusMk4:

It sounds like you're Bitching, moaning, flaming, and complaining. (http://tinyurl.com/gns5m) to me... But then again, I guess the good days of S&A being about... Sex and Affection... Are gone, eh?

Oh, swish!

[This message has been edited by Zonko (edited 03-10-2007).]

Europe has NO PLACE bitching about American censorship.

Hey, but seriously, why do you care about those parental warnings? Everyone I know just ignores them. And it doesn't exactly stop anyone from watching those shows. So why care?

Haha ok buddy, keep hating on America for our "limited view of morality."

It's funny how we're the most technologically advanced country with the ability to economically, militarily, and politically TOSS around other nations like pocket change.

So who gives a fuck if we have to put up with a couple censorship-like warnings and a bit of nanny-ism and paternalistic social programs? I still know that I live in one of the best places in the world anyone could end up..

Either I am losing what limited ability I had to express myself or a lot of people need to learn to read. I will be charitable and assume the former.

yeah man sorry for my lash out but i am pretty stoned and am just doing a couple grams of coke to myself throughout the afternoon... really didnt read it over too well

Blame the south.

quote:Originally posted by crazy hazy vermonter:

yeah man sorry for my lash out but i am pretty stoned and am just doing a couple grams of coke to myself throughout the afternoon... really didnt read it over too well

If Bill Bryson is to be believed your american 'moral' stance on drugs is almost as weird as your fear of *cough* naked female flesh *cough*

:P

The US may have more censorship, but the US completely trumps the UK in freedom of speech. The news stories I read from the UK, especially in regards to peresecuting people from 'hate speech', are almost Orwellian.

You call Namibia Sud west Afrika? is that some dialect thing or are you all die hard colonialists?

Still not getting what you guys are ranting about.

Why is it that so many of my fellow Americans get their tits in a twist when ever anyone says anything remotely critical of America? Please stop, it's annoying and it makes the rest of us Americans look like overly sensitive assholes.

My opinion on the topic?

quote:Originally posted by Zay:

Blame the south.

quote:Originally posted by rabbitweed:

The US may have more censorship, but the US completely trumps the UK in freedom of speech.

You are absolutely right of course. Infact Blair's Socialist Paradise is one of the most repressive countries in Europe. But that wasn't my point (jesus I must be losing it if even you don't get what i'm saying )

quote:You call Namibia Sud west Afrika? is that some dialect thing or are you all die hard colonialists?

Too bloody true 'P'uddy, feckin' Kaffirs haff ruined eweryting!

Where's Meener Terreblanche when you need him??!

[This message has been edited by jackketch (edited 03-10-2007).]

I get what you're saying, I just think censoring ideas is alot more dangerous than censoring tits.

Of course in an ideal, civilised society, neither would happen...like in New Zealand. Face it Ketch, all the good Brits set sail long ago

America is just filled with hypocrisy. So many people in America are hiding behind some cause or agenda in the disguise of free speech.

I love America, I just hate all the fucking hypocrites who live in America. Politicans and religious groups just seem to be the biggest offenders.

I love America, but agree that we're ridiculous in terms of morality. We can watch people getting butchered but not look at tits.

quote:Originally posted by rabbitweed:

I get what you're saying, I just think censoring ideas is alot more dangerous than censoring tits.

I support that statement.

They're just tits, right?

But, how comfortable are children when it comes to viewing the adult form unclothed?

Some children are not and even some adults, so I think the warnings are valid.

quote:Originally posted by oc6:

I support that statement.

They're just tits, right?

But, how comfortable are children when it comes to viewing the adult form unclothed?

Some children are not and even some adults, so I think the warnings are valid.

Then don't watch. Change the channel. Leave the room.

quote:Originally posted by Can O Soup:

Then don't watch. Change the channel. Leave the room.

Uhm...hello...

Is that not why they display such warnings? So that people can do that?

Makes sense to me. They sure aren't there for those who are not offended, now are they?

Jack. Do you think they should have similar warnings regarding the viewing of ginger's so you may turn the channel before being Assaulted by such images? Imagine all the trauma you could be spared.

quote:Originally posted by oc6:

Jack. Do you think they should have similar warnings regarding the viewing of ginger's so you may turn the channel before being Assaulted by such images? Imagine all the trauma you could be spared.

True, very true my dear. Personally it still distresses me when they show such obscene genetic deformity on tv. Especially when I have just eaten.

*still hids behind couch when that freaky woman on X-Files comes on*

It's the nanny culture thing mixed in with a nice dollop of the claims culture with just a sprinkling of "Not another fucking complaint!"

Think about it:

Little Johnny sees some boobies, realises all women have boobies, is mesmerised and wants to see more boobies, will not take no for an answer and becomes a rapist.

At least that's the worst-case scenario they want to avoid with notices.

Without the notices, greedy parents could make a hefty claim if not for those notices saving their poor boy's innocence.

Even though he's more than likely already had sex and experiments with all sorts of mind expanding drugs!

quote:Originally posted by oc6:

I so I think the warnings are valid.

Reading that, the word warning in particular stood out to me and in the end, thats all it really is. Its just a warning suggesting that these things will be shown. Dont get me wrong, I agree with what Jack is saying, I agree completely.

I remember back in the day of Merry Melodies/Looney Tunes and what not, the cartoons of Elmer Fudd chasing Buggs Bunny with a phookin' shot gun.... and thats what we liked to watch. Or I'm getting flashbacks of another show, I think it was called "Gogs", cavemen kicking their babies, playing with fire, killing dinosaurs, beating the shit out of other cavemen and what not.

This was on kids tv... prime time, that was great...I dont even think the women were wearing anything to cover their breats...(they were made out of clay or play-do or something)... But you get the point.

I suspect it's partly to appease the sponsor’s who wish to avoid complaints and boycott's of their products.

quote:Originally posted by silent_trouble:

I kind of agree, even though I am an american, our censor laws are fucking retarded. Ive been watching "R" rated movies since i was six. I watched American Pie with my parents when I was eight. Guess what, I get straight As, and as model as a smart-ass teenager you can get. Go fucking figure, our laws protect us...what a crock of shit...

same here (well, minus the age specific movies). sheltering children is the dumbest thing parents can do. i mean, what is acomplished by saying "Billy, there is no such thing as a penis, and breasts do not exist"? Nothing. Their "purity" and "innocence" is lost anyway. Why make their fall from grace be hard?

sex is only a fall from grace if you do it with gross people

quote:Originally posted by rabbitweed:

sex is only a fall from grace and a mortal sin if you do it with gingers

fixed

quote:Originally posted by oc6:

I suspect it's partly to appease the sponsor’s who wish to avoid complaints and boycott's of their products.



...from parents who are too lazy to raise their own kids and decide they will let TV do it for them. Hence, they elect stupid politicians who promise to clean up the media because they are conservative christians. When in fact that very same politician is flying down to Thailand with Lobbying money to bang 12 year old boys.

quote:Originally posted by rabbitweed:

sex is only a fall from grace if you do it with gross people

I thought it was called an 'act of charity'.

Dammit. I'm going to have to find other ways to get karma on my side.

quote:Originally posted by postdiluvium:

...from parents who are too lazy to raise their own kids and decide they will let TV do it for them.

From my experience with such people, they don't allow excessive tv watching and are very active regarding the raising of their children even to the point of home-schooling them and having a stay-at-home mother.

quote:Originally posted by oc6:

From my experience with such people, they don't allow excessive tv watching and are very active regarding the raising of their children even to the point of home-schooling them and having a stay-at-home mother.

True but my parents were really radical extreme christians (my mother wouldn't write 'xmas' as the 'x' denies Christ!)

And yet african tits never seemed to 'count'.

quote:Originally posted by GusMk4:

...And how about we do a search for "censorship in Europe" eh?

Take a chill pill man.

quote:Originally posted by jackketch:

True but my parents were really radical extreme christians (my mother wouldn't write 'xmas' as the 'x' denies Christ!)

And yet african tits never seemed to 'count'.



Well, I only saw them in National Geographic myself. Plus, back then they didn't show such things on tv (to the best of my knowledge).



*Remembers watching silent films on PBS with dad. Frankenstein. Dracula. Oh, and of course, Beauty and the Beast. (goes all mushy)

That was rad!



[This message has been edited by oc6 (edited 03-11-2007).]

quote:Originally posted by jackketch:

*still hids behind couch when that freaky woman on X-Files comes on*

You have to admit, she was fucking hot for a ginger.

quote:Originally posted by MaddMan:

You have to admit, she was fucking hot for a ginger.

This Boys and Girls, is what we call a 'contradiction in terms'.

quote:Originally posted by jackketch:

Don't get me wrong, i think all censorship is retarded. And we Euro's certainly have our fair share of censorship. Hell, I grew up in an age when Irish politicians were 'gagged' or had to have their statements revoiced by an actor!

That wasn't the point of this thread.



God, I wish they still would gag them..

Picking on America is like fughting the kid with down syndrome. Too easy.