So, I should be asleep, but no dice. I have been taking a great deal of interest in the subject of censorship and free speech, mainly because every time I think about it I challenge my own opinions. On one hand, we have to allow individuals to express their opinions, if they are not able to do so, it doesn’t mean they change their values, it just means the majority do not get to hear them. Surely it must be beneficial for an adult to be exposed to a complete picture of their own and other’s culture. In hearing opinion, one can either choose to accept or reject certain ideologies; it is after all how we build our identities within society. However, one could also argue that what is socially acceptable is a cultural issue, and people have every right to hold their own values. Is it therefore tyrannical to expect people to accept that they could be offended on a daily basis? Is censorship nothing more than a means of showing tolerance to your fellow human beings? This raises the question of course, who draws the line, and what authority do they have to do so. The pragmatist in me believes that there are reasonably common ideologies within a certain society, and we need to be democratic about it. However, ideologies change constantly so ‘the line’ needs to be monitored and moved.

Being that ideologies are constantly changing, does this mean that high exposure to ‘shocking’ material erodes cultural taboos? Apparently in ancient Greece, it was acceptable for men to have sex with 13 year old boys (thanks Joe, more research needed). Bearing this in mind, does this mean that what is culturally acceptable is in constant flux, regardless of humanitarian ‘core values’, if so, what is the catalyst for change? This leads me in to a whole debate surrounding audience dominated by media vs media dominated by audience which I will censor my brain from considering just now J

There is of course the issue of minors, they are after all impressionable, I for one wouldn’t want to hear my children (should I have any) swearing, even though I often say f**k like some people say umm. I also wouldn’t like them watching anything pornographic or overly violent. Bearing internet use in mind, I would be happier that there was software available so that I could censor them myself, this would give them the freedom to roam without constant supervision.

There’s a great deal more I need to consider re this, but it’s getting very late. In conclusion to what I have said, I do believe that a certain amount of censorship within public spaces is necessary, for the sake of those traversing those spaces. However, I do feel that there should be places where one can voice ones opinion, even if they have a ‘come here if you dare’ style warning .