NationStates Jolt Archive

Far too often have I seen interesting discussions go down the drain for "inappropriate content," and while I agree they were inappropriate for a G rating, I disapprove of the loss of the discussions.

Perhaps rather than locking legitimate discussions, a higher rating should be placed? (A "mature audiences" type thing, just a warning see) So that the discussions could continue; also with such a warning no parents would have a problem, as it is a simple matter to observe the internet activity of one's child.

Please consider it.

-- Campaign to Save the Mature Discussion, Filamai.

Since there's no way of knowing how old the player is, a lot of people feel that everything here should be G-rated in case someone's kids see something they shouldn't.

Personally, I feel that if your kid is smart enough to log onto the net, create a nation, and spend any time at all on the forums, then they've already been exposed to swear words, porn, and mature themes somewhere else on the net.

Having said that, this is Max Barry's site, and if he wants it to be G-Rated, then G-Rated it shall stay.

However, I do think the *ing of letters in swear words is just silly. We all know that sh*t, sh!t, S-t, and **** are all the same swear word (or equivalent)- so why not just type the word and be done with it?

Then again, I guess this board does have an extraordinarily high n00b- sensible people ratio so if swearing was allowed, we'd have threads full of the Rap Jay sings in Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, crude insults, and deliberate offensiveness, so I understand why swearing is out... [/rant] :D

Far too often have I seen interesting discussions go down the drain for "inappropriate content," and while I agree they were inappropriate for a G rating, I disapprove of the loss of the discussions.

Perhaps rather than locking legitimate discussions, a higher rating should be placed?

Intersting concept.

In the role-play forums, we do allow for [MATURE CONTENT], [R-RATED], [NC-17], etc. type tags on more mature role-plays. Usually such tags for for more gory threads, or ones involving toture. Use your imagination. Sexual explicit threads are still locked, however.

With this in mind, I see no reason why the same method can't be applied to threads in General. However, I would wait until one of the Mods who spends more time in General responds. Probably more Steph or TG's area, as I believe they're the most active there.

Ask age at the "join" page. Totse.com uses it. It's not the fault of NS.net if anyone lies. :wink:

Ask age at the "join" page. Totse.com uses it. It's not the fault of NS.net if anyone lies. :wink:

That would make it rather pointless, ne?

Ask age at the "join" page. Totse.com uses it. It's not the fault of NS.net if anyone lies. :wink:

That would make it rather pointless, ne?

Indeed, but it would be a way for NS to cover its a.... er, heinie legally, IF Max's G-rating policy is only because he wishes to protect himself from suit rather than because he truly believes it should be as family-friendly as possible. Given that this site is being used by schools now, I would think the latter reason is the one he has for asking us to behave like mature adults and avoid using "bad words" and posting "pr0n."

Yes, if NS is being used by schools, then, there needs to be a line drawn onto what content can and cannot be used within the forums.

It's not censorship, it's simply courtesy.

I think that a mature rating would be a very good idea. I mean, obviously theres a point at which it becomes too much, but I'm forever getting annoyed at the fact that NS has to appeal to the lowest common denominatior of youth and immaturity. Surely people have at least some level of self-censorship, of being able to choose what they want to read and talk about? I've seen things get locked for mere innuendo, I've seen things get locked for even less than that actually (An ancient thread called Makeout Point springs to mind, by the time mod action was taken, it was nothing but a censorship debate)

Indeed, but it would be a way for NS to cover its a.... er, heinie legally,

The T&C does that, largely, by essentially saying that Max, the Admins, and Mods take no responsibility whatsoever for anything and everything posted.

Indeed, but it would be a way for NS to cover its a.... er, heinie legally,

The T&C does that, largely, by essentially saying that Max, the Admins, and Mods take no responsibility whatsoever for anything and everything posted.Can I take responsability for what other people post? :D

Actually, come to think of it, best not.


Are we anywhere on this censorship issue BTW?

Interesting idea. Naturally, such tags would not be a workaround existing rules on sexual content, obscenity and trolling - those policies are not going to change. But I will suggest this to the Powers That Be for consideration as a measure for some of the more borderline discussions which crop up in General occasionally.

Tactical Grace
Forum Moderator

It's already mod policy to be more tolerant of threads that warn people about potentially offensive content, compared to those that surprise you with it. So if you think you're heading into a dangerous area, rating your thread is a good idea.

Bear in mind that something as broad as "MATURE" doesn't tell people very much; some people & cultures, for example, are offended by violent but not sexual material, and others are vice versa.