darth_ender

SilverWook said:

What's the point of a war movie that is scrubbed of the very reasons war is a horrible nasty thing? That would be like Titanic where there's enough lifeboats for everyone. Oh wait, somebody actually did do that...

I found war plenty horrific with a PG-13 version of Private Ryan.

I don't care for people who curse loudly and in public, either. (And my Dad swore like the sailor he was. I curse quite a bit when nobody is around.) But you can usually avoid a book or movie if there's questionable content. Ratings these days are so detailed, they practically give away plot points.

Books don't have ratings of course, but reviews can probably clue one in as to content.

This is true, but there have been many movies and books that I've wanted to watch or read that I ultimately chose not to for certain content.  It's nice to have the option.  Even studios release censored versions of their films for TV and airplanes (like the Wally Wick in Ghostbusters).

Fan edits are like dance remixes. They require a certain amount of creativity and passion that's lacking in something merely being edited to appeal to a segment of the audience who can't even handle the mild profanity allowed in G rated films. Anybody can censor a movie. You don't even need a pair of scissors these days.

Is not editing normally done to suit personal preference?  Why can't a preference for no sex be just as valid as a preference for no "I hate sand" lines?  I don't necessarily need a G rated version.  I often would like something just a little more dignified.

This app would be more fun if you could at least replace the dirty words with suitable replacements, like kumquat, but it would probably censor that as well. ;)

 This is true!  In reality, it would be nice if there is some tailoring permitted, like a "G version" vs. a "PG version" of the book or something.

http://news.yahoo.com/isis-now-taking-over-tatooine-163914409.html

In all seriousness, apparently the Islamic State is gaining control over sites in Tunisia with Star Wars history to it.  Will this never end? :(

I think it's a great idea!  I mean, the radio drama exists, and there are audio versions of the OT in The Stor[ies] of Star Wars, but I think an edit of the whole saga could be rather cool!  It would be neat just to see someone else's take.  Might need a little narration at times since the dialogue from the films was meant to accompany a visual presentation, whereas the radio drama has Luke talking to himself a lot more, for instance.

TheBoost said:

Fifty Shades of Grey is still a smutty book, even if you cover up the selected naughty words.

"He plunged his pulsating --------- into her quivering moist ---------, and they -------- all night, then she -------- his ------- until the sun came up."

Does that REALLY make it somehow better? 

The whole thing strikes me as morally questionable, as if the "good" people who use it are trying to trick someone (themselves? God?). Or is it so you can give your kid "American Psycho" and still feel like a good parent?

"Yeah, I read 'Naked Came the Stranger' but I covered up the bad words. See you at church Grandma!"

 

 I certainly don't feel like I'm trying to trick someone.  I watched Saving Private Ryan as a teen.  As an adult, I have resolved to avoid rated R movies.  However, I enjoyed Private Ryan and wanted to see it again.  Is it horrible that I am able to avoid the worst words, the sexual talk, and the worst violence, and instead enjoy a PG-13 version of the movie?  I'm not trying to trick anyone.  I'm just trying to watch a movie I enjoy while avoiding certain things that would make it less enjoyable for me.

SilverWook said:

This app will probably only appeal to people who want the world sanitized for their protection. (And those who like to control what others read.) If you can't handle a few swear words in print, you might want to rethink why you're reading certain things. 

You say this like wanting the world sanitized is a bad thing.  I have great coworkers, but I'd love it if they swore less around me.

It's as dumb as those video stores and companies that censored the movies they sold.

A great comparison, except I don't find those dumb either.  I have a several movies in edited form, movies that I'd probably never have watched if I couldn't have gotten them edited.  Note that I am not endorsing owning edited movies without the originals.

People have tried to remove books from library shelves because of language, no matter the context in which it's used. Now you don't even have to engage in the tiring chore of finding naughty words, a computer can do it for you!

Yes, books like Huckleberry Finn for using the N- word (see our recent discussion on that), in spite of the context and purpose of its usage.  If you don't want to read the word, yet still enjoy a little Samuel Langhorn Clemens, why not enjoy an edited version?

And drawing parallels to fan editing is a snake river canyon sized jump of logic.

I fail to see how it is such a jump.  You yourself compared it to the movie editing companies.  Those are exactly like fan edits, the only difference being the type of editing going on (and the price tag on the editing).  In spite of all the silliness added to The Ridiculous Menace, TV's Frink removed the gassy humor.  Why?  Because he didn't like it.  Is it so horrible to remove profanity and sexual references if someone doesn't like it?  That's fan editing.

I can only imagine what this thing does to books like Fifty Shades of Grey. ;)

Well, there comes a point where there is no purpose even reading a story.  If I wanted to enjoy a war movie that has a sex scene and lots of violence in it, it would be nice to have a version without the sex and excess violence.  If I wanted to watch some porn flick (I obviously do not), it seems pointless to get that edited, ya know.

By the way, a ruling was made a few years back on the editing of such movies.  It is illegal (as is fan editing) because it alters the copyrighted content.  However, there is a DVD Player (CleanPlay, I believe it is called) for which one can download parameters for any given movie.  The physical movie itself remains unaltered, but the DVD player will skip the offensive material, and you can even choose the rating of said film.  As nothing is physically altered, this was ruled legal.  This seems to be an identical principle to the app we are discussing.

Finding renewed interest in this.  For the first time I am in the contemplative stages of trying to actually do some serious editing and not a rough draft for others to potentially use.  For me, I'd love to edit the Battle of Yavin pretty heavily, but this is difficult with the music in the background.  Now I of course sound like a noob begging someone else to do the work for me when I say this, but I'm curious if anyone is able to extract the dialogue from the Battle of Yavin, specifically during the musical portions (as there is a surprisingly substantial amount without music), as such would allow for some tremendous re-editing.  Sound effects can be inserted well enough on one's own, but the dialogue cannot be duplicated.  Anyone interested in having a go? :)

I think that's actually a pretty cool idea, personally.

I had another thought.  I love your crawl, and if you keep it as is, I won't complain.  I really enjoy the logo you utilized as well.  And you did use the same text as shown in an early script and actual crawl:

My idea, which really is a take it or leave it idea, would be that in order to be closer to an earlier actual crawl, you try to use the format as shown in the above picture.  My understand is that GL showed this actual crawl to Brian DePalma, who helped him shorten it down.

http://www.slashfilm.com/original-star-wars-opening-crawl/

It's all just a thought.  I like the Star Wars logo you used better personally, but I would hate to not mention it.

DominicCobb said:

I only have a problem with some of your views, thank you very much!

You have to acknowledge the historical significance, is what I was saying. You can't leave it out of your argument (the first post I responded to) and pretend like it's not a factor so you can more easily get across your point. I'm glad you have rectified that with your most recent post.

Listen, I understand your argument and I've heard it many times. It makes sense. The problem is racism still exists. The mentalities that gave the n-word its horrible connotation can still be found in all too many people. Perhaps in a hundred years we can live in a world where that connotation no longer exists, but not now. We don't get to choose what does and doesn't offend cultures that have a history of oppression. So we need to understand that, for many people, the n-word is an unfathomable insult. I cannot completely understand it, as I am white. I don't need to worry about oppression, about police brutality, about being stereotyped, about not getting a job because of the color of my skin, about any of the number of things African American people have to fear on a daily basis. I don't have to worry about that because it doesn't affect me. The n-word doesn't affect me. But what it does do, to the people who are being put down, who have to constantly face bigotry, even if it's subconscious, is to further the culture of discrimination that has mistreated them for far too long.

I have never said anything about thinking little of you. I can disagree with you without questioning the content of your character.

 I appreciate this post, because I thought your recent comments meant more than you now tell me they did.  I hope you think well of me, because I certainly hope for a better world without racism.  I, like you, am not subject to the same persistent racism in society today.  I do not use that word anymore, not even typed, though I felt comfortable with that friend at the time in high school.  But I do feel that using it in appropriate context, not in an insulting manner (and I think Possessed really did not mean to offend a soul), but in order to illustrate.  I hope one day this word's insulting value becomes deflated, because I think it does more harm than good to anyone.

Well, I can see that.  On the other hand, I feel like there has kind of been an increase in sensitivity already towards those with difficulties, even just emotional struggles from the thread I already started for instance.  Sure, there will be jerks, but I think others would come to their defense.  I guess there would have to be the understanding that some jerks might bully, but if you want to seek support, you may choose to divulge your struggles.

Possessed said:

Well let me be clear.  My purpose in that post was not to attack political correctness.  I reacted angrily toward political correctness after the fact merely because I felt it was being used to distort the true meaning of my original post.

And in case there is anybody who still doesn't understand the meaning of my post, here's a simplified explanation.  Philistine is not a racial slur.  I provided the "n-word" as an example of something that is a racial slur to show differentiation between the two, and to say (in my intentions anyway, I suppose I could have made this part clearer but I didn't anticipate the big backlash) that one is acceptable in jokes and humor (philistine) and that the other is unacceptable (the "n-word").

In retrospect I understand both sides of the argument, and I should definitely have not spelled the word out.  Now can we please let it go.  

 I think people have let it go as far as your intent.  Now I'm the bad guy, so don't worry about it ;)

DominicCobb said:

If you're not going to acknowledge the historical significance of the word I'm not going to respond.

And I don't have a problem with people using the word in literature and film (or even how Possessed used it with quotes), but I do have a problem with people who are quicker to attack political correctness than defend the victims of political incorrectness.

 I know, you have a problem with just about all my views.  But I do think for one who demands so much tolerance, it might do you some good to at least tolerate a different point of view.  I'm not attacking you for disagreeing, just trying to point out why I think it is more destructive than productive.

Historical significance is of course important, and I understand the ties to slavery and the ultimate belittling of humans.  But don't you see that what I'm talking about is moving past that?  Look, black people call each other that all the time.  But that's okay because they are black, right?  I have been told that the reasoning is that instead of letting the word hold them down, they have allowed it to empower them.  I can see this.  However, if one continues to allow it to offend, to be insulting, to degrade, it continues to allow the word, and thus the racist thoughts behind it, to have power.

Let's compare this to bullying.  Bullying is a big problem.  But there are those who have been bullied who simply have allowed the cruel words of others to roll off their backs.  As a result, the bully in fact lost the power to belittle because the bullied refused to grant him that power.  The same applies to this word.  Apparently this one word is the worst word any white person can ever say.  And because of that mentality, white racists continue to use it, black people continue to feel insulted when they do, and racial divides persist.  Remove the meaning behind it, and we're one step closer to the end of racism.

Have you ever gotten nearly as offended when someone says, "Oh, he got jewed," or, "What a gyp!"?  What suffering have the Jews and Gypsies endured throughout history?  I'd say those ethnic groups from whom those phrases are derived have suffered persecution at least as bad as those of African descent.  Both were victims of the Holocaust, and the reason the Nazis targeted them is in fact the very same stereotype associated with the etymology of both phrases.

You clearly think very little of me because of my personal values, Dominic, as evidenced by another recent discussion, and that makes me sad, as I used to think we were on better terms.  But my goodness, I have an opinion that might actually help solve racism, and whether I am right or wrong, my intentions are good, but you will still condemn me as insensitive for not simply taking the the PC route.

TV's Frink said:

An autism thread is an excellent idea.

 Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!  Hold on there, bucko!  Please take this suggestion to the New Thread Thread and wait for the moderator of that thread to approve it, thank you very much! ;)

In all seriousness, I concur, or perhaps a thread on psychological/developmental disorders.  I might be able to provide a little expertise there as well. :)

bkev said:

Jetrell Fo said:

DuracellEnergizer said:

Which F-word are you referring to? The one that rhymes with "duck" or the one that rhymes with "maggot"?

OR ..... the one that rhymes with "stink"?

;)

 Why do you think you're so damned funny?  Frink's punchlines miss a lot of the time, but going after him over and over has no point whatsoever. 

 We could invite him over to my emotional support thread where he can discuss his obsessive-compulsive disorder and the resultant fixation on Frink.

;)

I appreciate your sharing that with us, DrCrow.  Be patient with your struggles, be patient with us as we try to understand what you are going through.  Just by virtue of the way your mind works versus mine, there are bound to be misunderstandings both ways.  But that does not mean we cannot be friends. :)

I understand the stance of you and so many.  I just honestly believe it unintentionally worsens the bigger problem rather than solving it.

Are you autistic?  Perhaps you've shared that before, but somehow I missed that detail.  Thanks for sharing.

This is why I am passionate about racist topics.  Not only am I tremendously against racism, but I'm also against the political correctness that does more to promote division rather than break it down.

The word was used several times in the wonderful movie To Kill a Mockingbird.  It was said deliberately by the actors!

It was spelled out on purpose by Mark Twain in writing Huckleberry Finn!  Can you believe it?

But Possessed, who clearly was not intending to promote its usage, is hanged by his thumbs for his analogy, which was in face against racism.  Gosh, it just annoys me how PC overrules reason and our desire to prevent offends requires human sacrifice.

DominicCobb said:

Equating fuck with the n-word is ludicrous. The other f-word not as much.

Anyway, it's obvious why Possessed spelt it out: so that he could go on a tirade against political correctness when people objected. 

 Is it now?  Many African-Americans are even comfortable when white people say it, deliberately reducing the offensiveness of it and even using it as a joking term of affection.  Example: in high school (I swear I've shared this story before), a black friend and I would jokingly say to each other, "What's up, my n.....?"  But nope, it's much better to be offended than to neutralize the potency of such words.

Meanwhile, saying things like "mother f-er," which is literally calling someone incestuous, should not be so offensive.  Or saying things like G-D- shouldn't offend, never mind that one is literally cursing God for whom many have immense respect and love.

To me, it's ludicrous to allow a word to offend so much.  It perpetuates racism rather than the banning of it does to erase racism.

Either or both, though I initially meant the former.

While I agree with this, I find it funny that everyone needs to spell out all other foul words that some might find offensive.  Why not just say "F-word"?

I used to be a lot more interested in what ATMachine had to say.

TV's Frink said:

Ok, I want to know who was harassing who via PM...

 What I want to know is why you didn't use "whom" instead of that second "who"? ;)

Ronster's day:

Wake up

Pour cereal

Put in some version of TESB

Watch 6 frames of TESB while eating cereal

Pore over significance of said frames trying to find something that gives away that we are watching a movie and not real life

Post on OT.com

If it's not too busy, have lunch and dinner somewhere in there

Toss and turn over that day's wretched discoveries as they destroy viewing experience permanently unless fixed by Adywan until falling asleep

;)

CP3S said:

TV's Frink said:

Oh man how I wish C3PX still posted here.

 Me too...

 My long-time friend/nemesis!!!!!!