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[kmellendorf]

I very much agree with the direction in which this discussion is headed.  We cannot just blame the existence of mass media, nor can we say it has no effect.  Complete censorship of all things is not the best option, but neither is no restriction at all.  All experiences do affect us, each in its own way.  To just say this is so is incomplete.

With whom does the responsibility lie?  Some will claim the responsibility is purely personal.  Anyone can expose anyone to anything, and it is solely the responsibility of the individual to reduce and enhance effects as desired.  Some will take the opposite attitude.  Government and/or other leadership should have all responsibility, restricting the individual to experiences that provide the most desireable effects.  The first attitude leads to no censorship or control of any kind.  The second demands complete censorship, allowing nothing but "the best" to ever exist.

As with so many things, I favor a situation where all share in the responsibility.  If something is to be available, provide me with an easy way to prevent myself and my family from watching it.  If a commercial is going to contain material I do not wish to see, give me a reliable and convenient way to avoid it.  If video games are to have a wide range of content, make it easy to know ahead of time what will be on the game.  Use a strict rating system that allows me to reliably limit what can be seen in my home.

As has always been the case, a great many things we do not wish to see will be seen.  A great many things we do not wish to hear will be heard.  Do not make a resource expected and perhaps even essential for participation in society without making personal censorship convenient.

[pclark]

rt firefly and kmellendorf followup:

rt firefly, when I reread my last post and your post back-to-back, I realized I made a mistake in my last post:  you didn't say I was in denial, you said you were troubled with the amount of denial.  Sorry...clearly I need more coffee.

But I would also like to add that when you say, in so many words, the media won't tell everybody that media is harmful, actually I find the opposite, at least in regard to video games:  the media is overdramatizing the effects of video games.

kmellendorf:  I wholeheartedly agree.  "Make personal censorship convenient."  Well said.

Folks, I will not be able to post for several days as I have to arrange for and attend a funeral for a family member.  I will catch up Monday.

Cheers