xie_xie_xie
22 January 2007 @ 10:30 pm
Censorship  
For those who stubbornly seek freedom, there can be no more urgent task than to come to understand the mechanisms and practices of indoctrination. These are easy to perceive in the totalitarian societies, much less so in the system of 'brainwashing under freedom' to which we are subjected and which all too often we serve as willing or unwitting instruments. -Noam Chomsky

Disagreement is not censorship.

Criticism is not censorship.

Debate is not censorship.

Fair opposition is not censorship.

So, what is?

Having your viewpoint, writing, art, criticism, opinion or other expression silenced by force, by unfair opposition, by threats, is censorship.

If someone tells me they'll kill my child if I speak at a political rally, or fire me, or burn down my house, I'm being censored. If the government passes a law depriving me of my right to say what I think about something, I'm being censored.

If someone removes my post from their website, I am being censored, although it's the website owner's right to do that... nonetheless, I'm being silenced.

However, freely expressing your opinion, forcefully and well, with documentation, even ruthlessly and brilliantly ... IS. NOT. CENSORSHIP.

It's the OPPOSITE of censorship. It's the CURE for censorship.

The remedy for speech you don't like is MORE SPEECH.

It's a complete reversal of the meaning of the word "censorship" to say that those of us who express concerns about someone's written work are "censoring" that person. No one is being censored... well, except us, who have repeatedly had our posts removed from the feedback section at Midnight Whispers, where someone made the accusation, in a sneaky way, that speaking out against a story is censorship of the author of that story.

It is a subtle and dangerous message, to say that someone's criticism of your speech is a form of censorship, because whether people do it to themselves or have it forced on them, silence is silence. 

One person's right to express herself doesn't outweigh mine. If she has the right to write her story, then I, or anyone else, have the right to critique it. Freedom of expression is a double-edged sword.
 
 
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[identity profile] vlredreign.livejournal.com on January 23rd, 2007 06:54 am (UTC)
Sigh.

K, having been through wank wars and critique/concrit vs flaming, I realize that when you post to a public site, to have to be ready for this. You have to. Not everyone is gonna like what you write. You can have a thousand "u r the best, plz write more, i luv u" reviews, but one honest "hey, you might want to consider this in the future" review can make a difference.

Nobody is saying don't write your story, your story is your own, but be ready to take the good reviews with the not so good. If you want to improve as a writer, take that concrit under advisement. Believe me, it can change a mediocre story into a damn good one. I ought to know.
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[identity profile] xie-xie-xie.livejournal.com on January 23rd, 2007 07:22 am (UTC)
I don't really care that our comments are being yanked, it's the owner's site and she should do whatever she wants.

No, what I object to is being told that MY opposing speech is a form of censorship on the speech I'm opposing. That is dangerous, wrong, bullshit.
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[identity profile] vlredreign.livejournal.com on January 23rd, 2007 07:36 am (UTC)
I read some of the comments there, and I kinda shook my head. And noticed something while checking a different story.

This made sound rude, but have you noticed that a story full of typos and butchery of the English language tends to be accompanied by reviews of the same type?
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[identity profile] xie-xie-xie.livejournal.com on January 23rd, 2007 07:37 am (UTC)
Something else I noticed is some of the people leaving nice comments on MY fic are leaving them on this fic, too.
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[identity profile] vlredreign.livejournal.com on January 23rd, 2007 07:49 am (UTC)
That's kinda scary.

I'll be the first to admit that I love crack fic, but there are limits to that.
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[identity profile] justinlovesart.livejournal.com on January 23rd, 2007 09:23 am (UTC)
Well, one thing is certain: no one can accuse you of sucking up to your fans.
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[identity profile] xie-xie-xie.livejournal.com on January 23rd, 2007 09:56 am (UTC)
Pfft. ;)

If people like my stories, they should read them. If they don't, or if their dislike of me ruins them for them, they shouldn't. I appreciate and care about the people who read my stories, but I don't change my fiction to please them, and I certainly won't change my beliefs of personalities for them.

I owe them appreciation for their readership, and the best work I can do. That's how I see it.
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[identity profile] silent-seas.livejournal.com on January 23rd, 2007 08:24 am (UTC)
have you noticed that a story full of typos and butchery of the English language tends to be accompanied by reviews of the same type?

Yes, I've noticed that. Sigh.
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