Age is Just a Number

[ancarett]

I am apparently Ms. Crankypants Spamsalot today. lj_biz community has just explained those new flags you find in the overcrowded icon options for every post. It's time to flag entries as offensive, inappropriate or adult content, apparently. And to use this feature to close down your entries or journals to the under-18 or under-14 set. That's what they'd

Comments

[grace_om]

Great. Something else to get cranky about :-(

[ancarett]

Yeah. It's going to be one of those weeks, isn't it?

[grace_om]

I prefer to put clearly explained ratings on my work and let the reader decide what they can manage rather than pre-emptively filtering by some calendar system. Let the parents do the parenting, 6Apart!

Yes, I'm not sure if it's because I'm already in a bad mood, but for some reason this is pissing me off more than their other stupidities. And maybe that is why: I can parent my own kids, thank you very much. Sheesh.

I set my journal at "adult concepts", but as you say, all my more erotically-inclined stories are behind cuts and labeled.

Somehow I suspect this is about trying to cover their assess from being sued over "obscene" content. This way, it's all *our* fault if the wrong person reads the wrong thing--because we failed to flag it strongly enough.

Yeah, more great "service" from LJ *grinds teeth*

And no new "Ugly Betty" tonight either. *cries*

[ancarett]

I think the lawyers are driving policy, yup. And I'm sure a lot of people in the home office also liked the concept. The ability of others to flag posts is going to haunt them, though.

Sorry for no new "Ugly Betty". I'm afraid that it's the start of a long dry spell for TV fans, soon!

Oy, this is a genius idea.

[greycoupon]

My question of the moment: I LOLd for several minutes thinking this person was kidding.

http://community.livejournal.com/lj_biz/243697.html?thread=15209201#t15209201

They are kidding... right?

Re: Oy, this is a genius idea.

[ancarett]

Sadly, my bozo filter is never going to come into being. *sigh*

[ancarett]

But see, now I can't refer my twelve-year-daughter to any public post you've made. All those cool insights of feminism? Not available to someone like her, just because she's a year and a half short of the magic age.

I can understand, I suppose, when someone's uncomfortable with the thought of underage visitors getting to their stuff (and given the witch-hunting atmosphere that's out there regarding porn, particularly slash or anything that's not plain vanilla het). But the pushing of these de-facto filters means that a lot of interesting stuff that would be appropriate for these youths will be filtered away from them. Until they log into LJ under an adult alias, that is. . . .

[ancarett]

Thoughtfulness is always good. I'm not saying I have the only right answer or perspective. I just am wary of using any "all or nothing" technological answer to what's a pretty complicated and nuanced issue.

[sideofzen]

I find your entry to have Offensive Content! *reports*

[ancarett]

*glees*

This is Hate Speech! *reports back*

[sideofzen]

And a naked minor!

[kithial]

I swear these are my friend's kids...really....

I use my flist as a sort of Bozo Filter. Most of my posts are friends only. I have only made two grave mistakes in choosing friends who turned out to be bozos (or evil, strictly speaking). Currently, I have no bozos on my list. I need no other flags; if I think something I want to say is too offensive, I mark it private. If other people post things I find offensive, I don't have to read them!

~kit~

[ancarett]

I'm sorry for your crappy day. Have some virtual chocolate: