Editing vs. Censorship

[ysabetwordsmith]

It's time for our regularly scheduled SFWA squabble. Here's a piece by C.C. Finlay and a piece by David Gerrold. You know how I express my dissatisfaction with this organization that seems to start a brawl every few months? I stay away from it, and associate with saner ones.

Let me explain the difference in between editing and censorship. (

Comments

[solarbird]

What's just sent me over from embarrassment and disappointment to rage?

The petition's author, Dave Truesdale, described the 2007 mostly-women PK Dick Award shortlist as, and I quote, "vagina-heavy" and the authors as "five furry pussies on the ballot."

I was merely very disappointed in the signatories. Now I'm very angry. Anybody who would sign a petition by this asshole is on my die in a fire list.

[lb_lee]

Ah, the old sexist double-take: if it's all men on the ballot, it's because they were just objectively the best there is. If it's all women on the ballot, it's because they cheated.

--Rogan

*snrk*

[ysabetwordsmith]

And this is why I prefer things to be judged with names off.

I think that would be prudent for job applications too, at least for the first round or two. It would at least give people a chance to get their foot in the door.

Re: *snrk*

[cissa]

Oh, yes.

0_o

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> The petition's author, Dave Truesdale, described the 2007 mostly-women PK Dick Award shortlist as, and I quote, "vagina-heavy" and the authors as "five furry pussies on the ballot." <<

XYZ, dude, your privilege is flapping in the wind.

>> I was merely very disappointed in the signatories. Now I'm very angry. Anybody who would sign a petition by this asshole is on my die in a fire list. <<

Remember that petitions share some common weaknesses with surveys and test questions. Most people don't look at who made them. Many don't even look at the background context or how well-worded the lines are. They just think about whether they agree with what the words say. That may or may not match their actual stance on the issue and in fact some petitions are designed to mislead people or otherwise cause trouble.