Addison
Thursday, July 05, 2012
www.censoredbyanolddudewhoknowsbest.org
Addison
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Recently, measures were proposed to supposedly combat fraudulent websites and piracy of movies, music, television, etc. These measure, if implemented, would allow the U.S. government to completely block all access to any website they deem unfit. Do you think that these measures are really needed? Are they the best way to go about solving the problems with piracy and such? Or are we giving the government too much power? Could this power be used against us, our freedoms, and rights to free speech? Do you have any other thoughts or views about censoring the Internet?
Addison
"Whatever thy hand findest to do, do it with all thy heart."
Addison
15 comments:
First off, I have to say that there are censoring programs out there that people try and use to protect public computers, and some of these are really faulty. For example, the one we used at my high school censored just about everything, and I could barely look up information I needed for my school work (such as when I was researching about the death penalty for a paper I was doing for class). Also, some people, at different times, we not even allowed to go to Google Images ™.
And so, I don’t think we should censor just about anything that we find disfavor with because people do have the right to free speech and the right to learn. However, there are certain sites that our government SHOULD watch, such as sites that involve illegal acts (such as a site that tells you how to murder someone, or ones that involve children being harmed), as well as acts of terrorism. They should also be allowed to shut them down, in hopes of squashing some of the evil acts. Now if someone was joking or discussing such acts (as in the case of intellectual debates and the laughter among friends), then as long as there is not an eminent threat, then those parties should be allowed to keep discussing it.
Censorship can be a good thing if used moderately, and for the right reasons. But too much of something that was once used for good, most often times becomes oppressive and evil.
Lauren Smith
This topic has its own pros and cons. Censoring some sites like pirated movie, or porn sites is ok. But there are some sites that are censored even though they should not be censored. The government should really look out for or should be strict about are sites that involve illegal activities. One of the cons that I want to talk about is about school censoring just about any websites. This limits a student for researching about their assignment.
-Nilay
This subject has varies variables to it. The government censoring sites and movies and this like that could be beneficial by censoring sites such as porn. The thing is that censoring to much is also a bad thing. An example is censoring in high schools, and middle school. We can all understand why they do this but sometimes they take it to far, to the point a student isn't able to do research on a subject they are doing for school. Personally, I censoring will help but ultimately individuals will find out material that the government is censoring through books, and experience through their life.
Josue
No, I do not think these measures are needed. I feel that these measures are overkill and will not solve any of the problems that they are trying to prevent. Just look at what happened when the government tried to ban alcohol during Prohibition! People did the same thing but only in secret, or they found loopholes in the system. By banning certain sites, people will find a way to do whatever it is they‘re attempting to do. In a country that stands for freedom and liberty, what door are we opening when we turn our backs on our own ideals? Piracy is major problem, as I believe artists should be paid for their work. What would our society be like if artists could not survive and exist? We may not be able to stop piracy, but I would hope we could keep it at bay by taking actions that are less drastic than extreme censorship. Hopefully, people will use sources like iTunes or the library as a compromise.
Giving the government too much power leads to risks such as dictatorship, fascism and totalitarianism. Just think of Hilter, Stalin, and Pol Pot. When a government is given too much power, it can go crazy and it’s not a pretty sight. In a time of power craziness or war, rights are normally the first things to go. While the Internet if full of junk, the risks of censorship outweigh the benefits.
-sam
Censoring websites is a great idea but when do you draw the line and can we trust the government to know where that line is? Probably not.
Think about the TSA patdowns? "They might use a baby" so the TSA is then justified in completely undressing a newborn. "They might use a girl" so now we can do an enhanced patdown of a woman because she has a pad on. If you to fly you have to agree to be photographed naked or groped in front of an audience. We can all agree this is going to far. The government has clearly crossed this line so whats one more?
Ben Franklin put it best when he said "People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both."
Rebecca Spellmeyer
I think it is kind of silly that the government could have that much power over the internet. However, since piracy and those types of things are illegal, I guess they do have the right to block those kinds of sights. But, they should not be able to block just any sight they deem necessary. For instance, if they decided to one day block twitter or something, just because they thought it was ridiculous, then I would think it wasn’t right. (That would be taking away our freedom of speech.) I think the best ways to solve piracy issues should be up to people in the movie or music industry (or whatever industry things are getting stolen from). I don’t really see the point in the government getting involved. I think they have much bigger issues to deal with than piracy. Since we don’t really have the right to steal these products, I don’t really think anything would be used against us unless they censor sites they don’t really need to censor.
Chelsey
Yes we do have a serious media piracy issue. However we should not give the government too much power. Personally I fear the extreme like one day American government will be like North Korea. This issue is that everyone loves what’s new and hot. There is always a since of urgency when it comes to new movies music and etc. Yes there needs to be an established way of doing things when t comes to media piracy but that should not include ones private computer. If the government is allowed to censor all media then they will feel like they have the right to censor everything!
missolo
Censoring websites is a terrible idea. If they did that, I would no longer be able to sit in front of my computer for hours. I would have to go outside and play, or something active. Not only that, I would not be able to procrastinate. I hate being productive and doing my work, it is not fun. I would rather be lazy and just sit at home staring at my computer. Oh, and pirating! Pirating is so great since I can illegally download media. Not only am I not paying the artist’s for their awesome works, no wait that is the best part. If you couldn’t tell, I was being sarcastic. But honestly, that is what most websites force us to become. There should be limits but if we deem a website to be fit, then we should just create a petition—unless they are too lazy.
-Charlie
The government has no right to censor the internet or block sites. They should be doing they're actual job in governing. What it all comes down to is control the government has slowly but surely destroy the constitution and the bill of rights, so to say that censoring the internet is a violation of your constitutional rights is a joke your rights don't exist anymore. Do you want the government to control the internet, the economy, what you get to eat for dinner? That is the definition of communism, perhaps people forget but we spent trillions of dollars and well over 100,000 America lives for 1945-1991 trying to stop the spread of communism during the cold war. Another great question arises with this topic as well, what rights do foreign governments have to monitor the internet? Or say try to extradite you based on your internet activity. It sounds someone ridiculous but indeed the American government is trying to extradite up-loaders from places like New Zealand and Sweden for copyright violations. These people have never been to the United States much less committed a crime on America soil.
I think that we should be able to set our own restrictions. Some people have a different tatse in amusement, they shouldn't have to look elsewhere to find a website they like. Most of the websites i visit aren't neccesarily bad. So i don't know if i've ever asked myself that question before.
-Samantha
Oh this act would've completely blown our rights out of the water. The Internet holds our freedom of speech in its contents. You take that away, you might as well take the right to speak away. We as a people know where our own limits lie. It's ridiculous to let other people tell us what that is.
Although blocking some websites seems to be on the public's minds, where does the blocking of one website lead to? Passing this act would have given the government the power it doesn't need.
Chenka
I definitely believe that if the government had the power to block a site completely for any reason they feel necessary is wrong. In some cases I could see how it could be good because if it were a thing that there was a website trying to find terrorists to help destroy the country, I think that should be stopped. Knowing the government, they would be able to block any kind of website that might just be people speaking their mind about the world. I think if this pulled through, the government should have specific rules that everyone agrees with when it comes to blocking certain websites.
John
if we censored the internet it would take away from fully appreciating the world web, but i do think that the websites that are letting people download illegal torrents should be blocked. the fact that a person can get a movie or song for free really makes me mad i work hard and pay for the thing i like why cant you do the same. but if you completely block or give the government the power to block what is "unfit" the web would be blank.
-Christopher Hodges
I understand the whole anti-piracy thing and even though it makes getting free music and movies more difficult (which is the point, but it still sucks) I see why it's necessary. But I don't think the government should have a say in what is and isn't okay to have on the internet. Or at least have the only say in it. I feel like as long as the website isn't dangerous or something like that, it should be allowed to be viewed by those who wish to view it.
Andi
I think that the government should not be able to block any web site that they feel is inappropriate. Every body has their own interests and hobbies and who are the government to say that it is right or wrong? Obviously they should be able to block sites that have crazy things on them like videos of murders or how to make bombs or something extreme like that and I think that we can all agree that the people that want to watch that stuff shouldnt want to watch it in the first place.
Nolan
Post a Comment