writing a paper for school on the issue. wondering what your thoughts on the subject is.

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Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!

At this stage of my life 47,I dont care about the ratings applied to video games or music as long as people are able to get the artist work with zero censorship.I mean with all the lawsuits of subliminal messages and nonsense,we live in a sue happy nation where everybody just wants to make a buck and blame a song or movie or video game for someone going out and commiting mass murder -ridicules.I am really against music being rated but my stance has softned somewhat with all this (hip hop) well I cant even call that music but when you drop the F bomb 20 times just for the sake of saying it for shock value I would not want my kids playing it.I mean look at real music with serious lyrics how many curse words are used,and if there are 1 or 2 it is with meaning.But the mindless chanting of curse words and those albums getting rated I have no problem with that anymore.I have more of a problem that these talentless idiots are making a fortune while artist who can actually play and sing are struggling than anything else

I have the ability to not listen to anything I personally find offensive to me.
For me to be told I can't listen to it is censorship.

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

CAFeathers wrote




Nuff said!!!!!!!!!!!

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(80’s Hair Metal) = A snapshot in time before Grunge ruined Rock & Roll forever!!!!

any form of censorship is offensive to me. my personal rule is if you dont like it don't watch/read/listen to it. but dont turn around and tell me that i can't.

+1

Hi trj1393: I'm assuming this follows on from the Walmart thread earlier?

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... hp?t=22829

That example of corporate censorship came as a surprise to me, I must admit.

On the other hand, I draw your attention to an opposite case (not about music, but...).

The first time I visited Denmark I was astounded to find at the supermarket a revolving stand filled with the most hardcore porno DVDs - right beside the checkout counters, along with the bubblegum. Extra Strong Mints and extra strong videos side by side, with small children passing by.

I think of myself as anti-censorship - but I found that one a challenge.

On the other hand my country, the UK, has amongst the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in Europe - and that of the USA is even higher. Denmark by contrast has a much lower rate of teenage pregnancy and associated problems (STDs, single parent families, etc).

Does their startlingly frank and uncensored attitude to these things contribute to a better functioning society?

Questions, not answers...

Cheers - C

If anyone other than the artist themselves alters a song, its censorship. If the artist agrees, or is forced, to release a censored version of their work, its capitalism.

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RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

good point

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Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!

The word "censorship" is applied incorrectly to the Wal-Mart policy.

Censorship exists only when a government restricts content.

Private companies like Wal-Mart have the right to choose what they will and will not sell. As a consumer, you also have the right to buy from the company that sells the product you want.

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

Interesting reading here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

When WalMart refuses to carry something, they are just exercising their discretionary rights. They do nothing to alter any content, that is up to the band. All they are doing is not carrying something they find objectionable. They aren't stopping anyone from buying this material at other stores, or online.

If I don't want something crass in my house, it flat out doesn't come in. That's all they are doing.

It is kind of funny that WM can run with its current policies, convene as many labour standards as it does, sell cheaply made foriegn products while all the while claiming patriotism, but what actually motivates response from the masses is refusing to carry a CD from a mediocre band because of vulgarity, something that anyone of us would see as an inaliable right in our own homes. Could you imagine if someone tried to force Cvillera to crank 50 Cent. Why should anyone have to include material they find objectionable?

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Hi Twelvebar: not arguing with a company's right to stock whatever they want. (Or to censor certain words on a Forum such as this one, for that matter.)

I was just surprised to hear that Walmart can be bothered to get involved in the content of CDs in that way. I don't recall hearing of that sort of thing for decades - in quite that way, at any rate. (I live far away...)

I guess the pendulum swings back and forth in this kind of area.

Cheers - C

Walmart has always had this policy as far as i know. This has crept up before, and probably will again. Actually WM stores make this decision on a regional basis, like Canadian stores aren't always bound by the exact same decisions as American outlets are. Really its a PR move, coming from the region that they did, WM has tried to portray itself as friendly to bible belt sensibilities.

When stuff like this happens it is great financially for both sides. Green Day will get some free pub, will likely boost their sales a bit, while WM whose target demographic by and large doesn't care for green day gets to look like it cares about families, even though it sells graphically violent movies and such. But really how bad is gramma's opinion of WM going to change when all they are doing is refusing to sell CD's with the word F*ck.Even though in the very next aisle over from where the Green Day CD's would be you can buy uncensored DVD sets of series 1 and 2 of Dexter(which I love,) With all its violence, and fouls language in tact.

Thank Al and Tipper for this, they made album lyrics a divisive issue, this happened when WM expanded, and they have been riding that train ever since. Thank your stars they failed in their endevour, because this lingering foolishness is nothing compared to what they had in mind.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Hi again: that's very interesting. And of course, mostly news to me.

The regional bit is thought provoking.

Where I am, I can't remember much of this stuff as regards music for many a long year. Back in the day the BBC banned some Sex Pistols tracks because of rude words. As you say, it did their sales no harm at all and made the BBC a laughing stock. I believe they and others quietly decided to stay out of these sort of issues from that point on.

Given the profligate use of "naughty" words on radio and TV this side of the pond they'd look even more nutty for bothering about song lyrics these days.

I think there actually has been disquiet about the content of some rap type tracks in recent times, but I haven't heard of anything being banned or edited (though I stand to be corrected). Though a rapper was refused entry to the country - can't remember who. It wasn't to do with rude words, though.

Certainly never heard of a retailer getting involved in content over here. They want to sell units...

Cheers - C