Hey all!
Today I feel like ruminating a bit, so instead of an advice post, I'm going to share my opinion with you on another interesting topic. This time? Censorship.
My friends over at
Zookah! and I were discussing our favorite Family Guy episodes the other day (Over a lovely bowl of Tangiers Orange Soda shisha, check out their review), and for those of you who know the series "P-TV" is sure to ring a bell. The episode essentially revolves around the FCC censoring people's daily lives for "innappropriate" content. Earlier today I thought of the South Park movie, where one of the characters has a device installed in him that shocks him (like a dog collar) every time he swears (which is A LOT). Put those two together, and my mind clicks in its typical, nonsensical way.
Censorship is a very hot topic these days. What can you say/do on T.V.? What websites can you look at while you're at work? What's the definition of "objectable content?" Who's responsibility should it be to enforce or censor this content? The list goes on.
Most of these topics could be (and are) debated for hours on end, so I'm not going to get into each one specifically. Instead, simply consider the issues above as examples of problems with censorship as a whole. I find one of the biggest issues with the, um, issue is that the entire current approach is remarkably subjective. Everyone has their own feelings as to what offends them and what doesn't, and the debate ends up entirely dependent on the question "Who best knows what's best for you? Who...best...yeah!" So, instead of getting bogged down by this obstacle, lets flip it on its head and use it. Consider the following thought experiment:
Let's say that researchers have recently made a breakthrough in neuroscience and computer technology that allows a small chip to be implanted into one's brain (This is a thought experiment, bear with me). This chip can be programmed to do a number of things, for example, it could constantly monitor the intricate details of a person's biology and regulate hormone and chemical levels in the body for people who have neurochemical imbalances that their body can't correct on its own.
However (still in thought experiment mode), many researchers and advocacy groups are particularly interested in its ability to block certain types of messages to certain areas of the brain. This feature could, some theorize, be used to block the type of brainwaves associated with the feelings of shock, disgust and horror. Not only that, but the device and alter the brain patterns so that the brain never registers the source of those feelings at all--in effect editing out objectionable content and censoring real life.
Take a couple of moments to suspend your disbelief and just consider the potential implications of such a device and what its impact could be on our lives and our culture as a whole.
Done?
Good. So, aside from the glaring flaws in the practical application of such a device (we can get away with that, though, in our imaginations), we see what could be the perfect system for censoring objectionable content. If people find different things offensive to varying degrees, why continue extrapolating the sensitivity level of the masses when you can leave it up to them what they do or do not feel comfortable seeing? Those who are mentally capable can live as uncensored a life as they want, while parents can feel safe knowing that their children are not being exposed to offensive material until they're ready.
So, before I post my thoughts on the matter, I figured I'd throw this question out there to you. What are your opinions on this? Would this benefit society overall, to have such an ability, or would it serve to our detriment? Would you use it? Would you have your kids (either your actual or future) use it? What kind of limitations or features would you expect a device like this to have?
And, remember, think about the children(or not)!
And that's just the FIRST half of our forecast! It goes on for another three days like that! What the hell?
