lindens latest blog: dob a neighbour

Before cutting into the "meat" of what your statement starts with, I'll begin with your last point. You are correct. LL can do whatever they want. It's their sandbox. If they want to reduce SL to a G rating they can do so. For those of us that went through the destruction of Star Wars Galaxies know that a company can and will totally transform a "game/platform" from it's original form to something completely and utterly different and damn the population who pay for the service if they don't like it.

Now, regarding the "broadly offensive, but not illegal" you are soooo completely wrong in this. "Broadly offensive" in and of itself is subjective. In a government which supposedly upholds "personal freedoms" and guaruntees "rights" (i.e. the US) then people most certainly have a right to engage in things people find "broadly offensive, if not illegal". As an atheist, I broadly offend most people, but last I checked I still had the right to NOT believe. It was "broadly offensive" in the 1960s south to segregate blacks from whites whether it be restrooms or where to sit on the bus, or where to sit in a restaurant. It wasn't illegal for a black to sit at the counter in a restaurant, but it was certainly "broadly offensive" to the population at the time.

There really are no such things as "rights". It is what the governing body permits you to do. If someone has the power to prevent you from doing something and they care to exercise that power, then you do not have that priviledge or "right" to do something because they can force you not to do it. End of story. That is what LL is proposing here. To revoke a right that was previously granted. I'd be much happier if they would be HONEST about it. Just up and say, "You no longer have the freedom or right to behave in the following fashions." But they don't want to do that, why, because they don't want to be perceived as treding on individual freedoms. They don't want to be known for exactly what they have claimed not to be. They are those who would STIFLE creativity and freedom of expression based on political and economic reasons. They want to be viewed as Champions of Expression and Freedom.... when this SUPREMELY contradicts that and stinks horribly of fascism.

Now... I don't agree with everything in SL and what the people on their own private, paid-for and appropriately "Mature" marked land do. But I ABSOLUTELY believe in their right to do so whether it be cannibalism or Neo-Nazi propoganda. Don't like it in the least bit but I will stand up with those people I find morally reprehensible for EVERYONE'S right to do or say what they feel or believe. The only lines that get crossed is when others' rights are suppressed. And NO, that does not include someone stumbling into someone else's clearly marked sim and finding it offensive. It does not mean actively seeking out something that one finds offensive and going there and submitting an AR.

The problem with "freedom" is this. It sounds nice, fuzzy and warm... something everyone should want. But where it gets hairy is when that freedom also means you might have to deal with someone else's freedom. Someone that doesn't think like you. Everyone will stand up for a freedom such as speech, unless of course it's something they don't want to hear, then they want tow quash it to "protect the children".

So the question is... do people really want "freedom"? Because there are consequences to that as well you know. If you aren't willing to grant the same right to someone else that you would take yourself then you know nothing of what freedom is.

Live and let live!

Yeah its the Christian pick and choose, depending if its there own sin (gluttony) or others (homosexuality) things are weightet, picked and choosen.

And I really don't think picking on religions will help. While we're at it, let's start bashing Islam too, because we know how all Muslims are the same, and will probably happily join in the LL witchhunt.

Oh, I forgot, I'm actually Muslim.

LOL! Shhh!

/me wholeheartedly agrees *stamps approval*

Yes, but playboy is about as edgy as a down pillow. Very mainstream, very safe...

It's so crazy that LL has dumped this on the residents. It's going to create so much tension. It already has. They should have taken on this reponsibility themselves. I don't want to play cops and robbers in Second Life.

We need another open letter for sure.

Cause Daniel Linden's post actually states that they abide by RL law but then condones people breaking it. While 'banning' stuff that is NOT against the law.

It is IMPOSSIBLE TO RAPE SOMEONE IN SL!

They must take of the clothing themselves, and they must then get on the pose ball. they can tp out or just mute the person and ignore them if they are NOT CONSENTING TO THE ROLEPLAY AND ACTING.

When you watch TV do you see depictions of violence and sex? even forced sex? Lots of it seen or implied. How many stations are showing reruns of the varous CSI's out there?

What is in the blog that is not against the law?

Example: If my wife and I decide to do a little 'play rape' we are not breaking the law. We are consenting adults even if she's playing she's not. If a cop came to our door we'd all have a laugh. If she wanted me to use a riding crop on her or a paddle and spank her, that is our right do so so. If she wanted me to put a collar around her neck and walk her around on a leash? well I see that every day going to work with a few couples in downtown seattle.

Where does it condone breaking the law yet says that SL will abide by laws?

Example: In the above situation if my wife and I were having some kinky sex play in our own bedroom and some idiot stuck their head in our open window and started taking pictures HE's a peeping tom, and has violated our must inelienable right to privacy.

Linden Labs is located in California... it's not just law it's in their state constitution as the very FIRST THING!

http://www.privacy.ca.gov/lawenforcement/laws.htm#one

It's clearly defined in the state of Lousiana also.

http://www.babcockfirm.com/statutes/lapeeping.html

There is even talk in the US of a federal "peeping tom" law going into effect.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/167553_pacphones.html?searchpagefrom=1&searchdiff=3

As with the BRAGG case, if Philip Linden has before stated that you OWN the land you buy, then techncially anyone who permits friends or family or really qnyone to come onto private owned land are protected by peeping tom laws... there are many in the US around.

And I'd imagine that Europe and that have similar laws.

So I think another Open Letter is in order here. Cause they're putting things on teh chopping block that are NOT illegal and condoning blatantly illegal activities

If this is a GAME then let the players play it the way you allowed for 4 freaking years.

If this is a virtual world then say so and damnit, lay down the laws now. But technically letting things go for 4 years and then changing them? Yeah... BDSM /Gorean/FUrry/Weapons/Killing... LOTS of business and players here for it.

Hell, ironically there would be no SL without out, other then a big teen grid.

I'm a consenting adult, get your moralities out of my face. Ageplay of the sexual kind is against the law in many places. I'll agree with that. But BDSM and that is NOT! Play Rape is NOT it's playing it's a fantasy.

HOw about fixing the grid before you start a moral brigade that open does break laws.

Or if you're going to say "don't do it in public" making it so we can control if someone can camera into our homes and that so we can keep our rights to virtual privacy if you're going to bring RL laws into the grid?

Oh, and as for some of the servers being in texas...

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/01/12/teacher_arrested_under_peeping_tom_law/

Texas also has peeping tom laws.

And oh, a wikipedia post about how non-consensual voyerism (peeping tom) is ciminal in the UK and that too http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyeurism#Criminalization

Oryx - I am going to look up your burqa tonight and get one.

Perhaps you should think of a shirt with a scarlet letter. "A" for adulterer, "F" for furry, "B" for bondage enthusiast and all the other new SL criminals?

My business was BDSM toys. I am now labeling them as "exercise equipment" and have cancelled my just-upgraded-to-premium account. I see no need to spend money on land for a store that will be taken away by the next Falwell Worshipper who comes along.

That doesn't mean I'm surrendering - I am merely taking steps to minimize my losses. If anyone is forming a resistance/protest group, please IM me in-world. I don't intend to go down without a fight.

I believe "A" would be already spoken for by ageplayers.

Mari

That's it - I'm AR'ing you, because as we all know, all Muslims are terrorists and that falls under the definition of graphic violence...or is that griefing (in which case LL won't care)?

Oops, wait a minute. My mom's Muslim - she'd kick my behind for making this post. <Emily Litella>Nevermind...</Emily Litella>

Who knew fascism could be so much fun?

A protest group or two have already been started. I know that. Got invited to one last night. the owner doens't have it open membership yet. she should. I'll drop her a line and post here.

(edit... any member can invite to this group... so just find a member or IM one.)

My bad.

Korwyn, yes, please let us know.

I am Atheist, wich means i am very offensive to christians and muslims, so your point is?

I'm sorry. But as a Wiccan, don't bring religion in.

IMnsHO: Any true christian would not be doing this. They're own bible and teachings state to not judge others for their actions that that right is reserved for their messiah and their lord god when they pass on to the next realm. Anyone who brings their morals into the face of others is not acting in a religious way....

They are wholly just being controlling assholes who want mindless robots like themselves.

They can use their book as an excuse, but that's all their doing.

http://www.caw.org/articles/otherpeople.html

I'm an atheist too but christians don't seem to find me offensive.

Religion has just as much place in this debate as race should. NONE. Atheists can be just as intolerant and bigoted as anyone else. I would dare say, as much or more of the censorship in the United States today can be tied to secularists, simply because they are the ones in power.

Someone hasn't actually seen the administration for the last 2 decades. No, the Religious Right Wing has been in power and the only thing keeping this from becoming a church state is the fact that the separation between church and state is in the constitution and would take a real 2/3's popular vote of the entire voting population to change.

The secularists are NOT in power and have not been for a long time.

Not sure what planet you live on, but it isn't Earth.

LOL LOL LOL LOL

Giving lip service to a voter bloc then never delivering does not mean the Religious Right is in power.
No, "separation of church and state" is no where in the Constitution. That was a phrase used by Jefferson in a letter to a church group.

Hi Alyx,

I NEVER intended for the burqa to be a joke. I actually have quite a few Muslim ladies as clients, and several have requested full veiling of the burqa type. This is also why I've made hijab, abaya, etc. It was not a "joke," nor was I making fun of it. The burqa can also be used as a statement. It is not my place nor will it ever be to judge WHY someone wears what they wear.

Oryx

If you are consenting to be 'raped' RL or SL then its not rape.
As for the sexualisation of children....There can be no excuse for anyone to condone the sexualisation of children, be it in cartoons, RL photos, avitars or any other media. The attempts of some SL residents to justify this with the wail of 'my liberty' should be treated with the contempt it deserves and their motives for this stance should be questioned. No right minded person can possibly think that the sexualisation of children is an acceptable thing.
My feeling is that this is an attempt to bring a halt to the outrage engendered by the recent expose of the child sex representation of avitars in SL by the german press. I dont think LL or any government has the inclination or the time to start monitoring every aspect of peoples SL. Governments have enough to do monitoring RL threats.
I reported all incidents of child sexualization in SL long before the blog post about this and will unapologetically continue to do so.

All the 1st Amendment says is that The Government shall not establish an official State Religion, and shall not hamper an individuals right to practice the religion of their choice

The problem isn't the *activity*. The problem is the *media* it generates.

In Second Life - unlike real life - when you do sexual play you generate picture data which is then broadcast to everyone in the sim, even if they aren't looking at you. (And no-one has ever escaped a charge of downloading pornography by arguing that, even though it was sent to them, they didn't look at it.)

That's the big difference. It means that sexual behaviour in Second Life doesn't fall under laws governing real-life sexual behaviour, it comes under laws governing real-life publication of pornography, which are a lot stricter.

Certainly the fact that the models consented to the picture being taken is nowhere near as significant - the issue is whether or not the picture portrays non-consensual activity or not. Quite how that's judged isn't clear, but obvious distress or upset on the part of one of the participants would probably be a big black mark.

Apparently that is the plan.

From notes from a talk by Daniel Linden:
"Daniel is no big fan of the separated Teen and Adult grid model and think that Linden Lab eventually will pursue and All ages option."


http://slcreativity.org/blog/?p=32

coco