A New Blow for Freedom of Speech?

Because some adults prefer it that way. Don't shoot the messenger. (^_^)

Apparently, businesses, schools, universities, and other corporate interests are NOT coming to SL because of the obscenity and depravity of it all. So, how to garner customers from that sector? Set aside areas and the most broadly available content to exclude the obscene and depraved. (^_^)

Profiles are available to anyone, any time. Linden Lab is just protecting their own interests. We're playing on their E-lawn. We're entitled to nothing here. (^_^)y

Well, not sure we are entitled to "nothing". I wouldnt be too self-deprecating. We are paying for certain services, so in a corporate sense we are entitled to services we pay for.

I dont think schools or universities will work here. Research here would be basic. I cant see many universities setting up on-line classes here. Personally I dont welcome them. They are most often elitist and naive into the bargain. They can stay away from me. And let's be honest, not many of "us" have welcomed academics in the forum.

Actually, Jig, there are already something like 150 universities here, teaching in-world. Including, apparently, mine. And there's a very well-developed and deep community of educators (and librarians) that I've had some connection with.

The universities are here, and have been for a while. How long they stay may depend on how well LL caters to their interests.

The problem with making policy based on the viewpoint:

'why should I be subjected to exposure to things that offend me?'

...is that there is no universal standard on what is 'offensive.'

Millions of people on this planet, for example, are offended by the sight of females in attire that shows their hair, let alone their arms or legs.

To accommodate them, should SL require that all female avatars wear a burqa?

Proof for that, please.

For all we know, you could have gone to that region, alienated a dozen of people and one of them complained about your profile. Or you went somewhere else and someone looked at your profile and complained about it. (Yes, I know, we are not used to ARs being acted upon in five minutes. Nevertheless, it does happen, saw it myself.)

I saw this link today about business coming to SL. One reason for the push for a more PG environment.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/11/05/second.life.virtual.collaboration/index.html

Which means you're old enough to know better.

Good so we can dispense with the freedom of speech BS on a privately run website and agree that people should just follow the TOS and know where to step.

End of story.

I dont care whether this is where you compensate after being nice to your kids and your mate all day. That's irrelevent. Like I said: It's a big place. Lots of nice people even on my friends list and we don't necessarily have the same idea of a hangout. We don't have a problem with it. And I don't have a problem with people who think that substance calls the shots on ethics when it's our minds interacting and the nature of the environment is irrelevent. This is as diverse a view as any religion. Respect it and go where people don't care what they do to others. If you need a new place for that, may I recommend any number of infohubs?

I keep asking, what have you done to deserve respect?

Pep (If it's a public area then anyone can go there and behave as they want to until LL impose order; if you want to establish your own rules and your own discipline then establish your own non-public area.)

Aaaaah the delightful joy common peoples have at SPLITTING HAIRS IN HALF.

Glazing at it is like trying to bash yourself to death with a bunny slipper.

You make a valid point, but it would be more valid had I been insisting that "offensive language" be banned from EVERYWHERE in SL. Of course, I was not: I was suggesting instead that PG areas represent a valid attempt to accommodate one segment of the population without unduly restricting the freedoms of others to behave the way that they want elsewhere.

That's the way that tolerant RL cultures work, surely? No freedom is absolute, or everywhere. To use your burqa example, I would certainly not insist that they be worn everywhere in RL to accommodate the values of one segment of our culture, but were I to enter a mosque where such headgear was required, I would (reluctantly) don one out of respect for that particular context. I despise the burqa, and all that it stands for, but were there a sim in SL that asked that I wear one for a visit, I would similarly comply, out of respect for that culture. Or simply not visit: but I wouldn't oppose their right to ask.

The point is that if we are absolutist in our insistence upon either "rights" or "restrictions," we are imposing a particular world view. A tolerant culture is one that provides accommodation -- such as designated "PG" areas -- to as many different perspectives as possible.

Because LL says so - it's the rule.

Pep. You are being particularly thick in this thread. Actual respect is earned, as you said, but it is normal for most people to show respect to other people, whether they earned respect or not. You are confusing the two uses of the word 'respect'. In other words, you are wrong.

What exactly do these universities do??? Don't they have enough reserach facilities or whatever they are called in teh real world? If they wanna play social studies or whatever they do why dont they go into the streets and stop using us as mice and guinea pigs?

Wha exactly IS an "educator"? Apart from the ones who "play the game", the ones who roll up to work on their green bikes and poncey attitudes can go and do a decent day's work in reality and stop playing silly buggers at the computer terminals.

It's called money for jam.

Actually, you are mixing up the meanings of respect and consideration.

Pep (can show consideration for others without respecting them at all.)

And may I ask exactly what personal experience you have of this?

Pep (or is your view based on something by Waugh?)

I don't have any personal experience of it. But I've seen the piss-artists who work and study at them.
And I watch DVDs of Morse as well.

No, Phil is correct, though I'd phrase it as "stubbornly thick", or even "deliberately obtuse".

The English language isn't your own personal lump of clay, to shape as you wish. Nor is it the property of whichever collection of pedantic authorities you follow. It's an evolving, organic entity, shaped by all but owned by none.

The word "respect" has several connotations. Blinding yourself to the connotations you dislike doesn't invalidate those connotations, it just makes you blind.

Kidd, if *you* are colour blind you can call red green as much as you like . . .

Pep ( . . . but it won't make it red in my eyes.)

That sounds like a firm basis for argument.

Pep (Well, firmer than your normal ones, anyway.)

I can do this really cool thing with my ankles. =^-^=

Can't say it garners any respect but it sure as heck gets attention. (^_^)y

You should study taht at university.

Hello, I'm Pserendipity Daniels and I am studying for a degree in taht".

Pep (That would sound good on University Challenge/College Bowl, wouldn't it?)

You can show respect to them too, without even knowing them. It's respect for people in general. You are wrong about the word 'respect' or, rather, you are ignorant of its meanings.

For instance, I don't have any respect for you, Pep, because you haven't earned any from me - just the opposite, in fact., But I do respect you as a person and will treat you with respect because of it.

Wow. That's deep.