Forum - View topicHey, Santaman! [2006-12-08]
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Richard J.
 Posts: 3367 Location: Sic Semper Tyrannis. |
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How can the rest of society be expected to do the job of parents? Every attempt to do it has either required a loss of freedom through censorship or some overpriced government program that usually had more failures than successes.
If you've been abused, the experts routinely advise that you tell someone about it. Talk about what's happened. Get it out because hiding it just makes the problem worse. Seek help, not a hiding place. |
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mistress_reebi
Posts: 735 Location: Canada |
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Maybe the ranter shouldn't add this part. Yes, there is violence in our socitey, but most of the graphic violence is ment for a more mature audience than children. Usually, the most violent places on earth are the most poorer nations who can't afford anime. It's more the culture and area which people live in that influences violence than watching it on television. It's more a desire to inflict violence on someone than seeing it on television. In most schools, they have a hands-off policy where children learn that violence isn't right. Most children shows from ages seven and under aren't violent at all. By the time children grow up with seeing violence on television, they already know it isn't right to repeat the acts. I like the gift idea as well as the flake! It made me chuckle. |
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Beruda
Posts: 114 |
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As far as the rant goes everybody obviously has a right to their own opinion so I won't comment on it but reading it does bring up something I've thought about off and on for awhile.
In shows like Gundam or Evangelion etc. the adults start the conflict but expect children to fight it. Why is that? To me this is analagous to a country sending over an infantry of children along with the regular adult army. Obviously there are going to be a wide range of emotions displayed in a story about war but I would think that's not the only reason children are used so frequently. If children are the hope of the future it seems kind of cruel to kill off some of them before they can see that future. As some have said anime and manga are the product of a different culture and society and this is not the only trend that I've noticed and wondered about. Just some thoughts. 
B. |
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ArielTsuki
Posts: 178 |
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But it's still no excuse to research outside of the computer. The computer is just the easiest way to do it. There are usually sales associates in game stores that can help out. Also, they can flip through manga to see what material is in it. And the ratings are in the back of the book. I see it in action in bookstores. Like a couple of years ago, I saw one woman buying her 9-10 year old a copy of Battle Royale, which is one of the most violent and sexually explicit manga out in the market, without even wondering why it's shrinkwrapped or the label on the back of it. Granted I should've said something, but I was too lazy too. Many parents do the same thing over and over again. I mean parents still complained about GTA: San Andreas even it was after the law that banned stores selling MA-rated games to kids. Plus no regular kid would have $50 so easily like that. |
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Cloe
Moderator
 Posts: 2728 Location: Los Angeles, CA |
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I love how the author of this week's rant wrote an entire diabtribe against anime violence and used examples of almost exclusively satirical or pacifist anime titles. Case and point:
Which is exactly the message of Hoshi no Koe. Way to completely miss the point. He's obviously so focused on the violence itself that he completely misses the underlying themes. If a person walks away from Utena only remembering how violent it is (uh, what?), I'm inclined to think he's immune to picking up on themes and symbology, even when they're beating him over the head. Like Justin, I'd love to see this person's reaction to Now and Then, Here and There. |
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HitokiriShadow
 Posts: 6251 |
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The ranter may have chosen satirical and anti-war titles intentionally since his whole rant against violence was fake.
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Zalis116
Moderator
 Posts: 6872 Location: Kazune City |
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Honestly, I don't like the Christmas season; I have to listen to Christmas music at work all the time, people are always harried and rude, and as I've gotten older I've realized just how shamelessly commercial it all is when the stores start putting up the Christmas stuff on November 5th. I don't mind going to church and spending time with my family, but I'm always glad when December 26th rolls around.
j/k, but seriously, it's scientifically impossible to read any thread at AoD without seeing the words "double-dipping," which is why I spend more time here. Music licensing really is a biatch; like with Kodocha, the Tokio handlers wouldn't even let Funimation rescore the music for scenes that used a wistful remix of "7 o'clock news," which means we get audio drops in some of the occasional emotional scenes even into the 30s episodes. I mean, not using the 7 o'clock news opening video and excising mention of the band and its members is fine, but apparently they weren't even satisfied when Funi showed them their proposed replacement music 
This rant has to be one of the best-constructed ones I've read since the feature's inception. In case anyone missed it, pretty much the whole rant is satirical, since the ranter actually does like violent anime. It's a good point--people do tend to criticize the sexual fanservice in anime while giving violence a free pass. It kind of reminds me of Kyle's mom's advice to the troops in the South Park movie: "Remember what the MPAA says--horrific, deplorable violence is okay, as long as people don't say any naughty words!" And Zac, for what it's worth, I look forward to this column every week when I come home from work on Thursday nights, and I've never once felt that you were "unprofessional" in responding to all the flack that's come your way on these forums, although I did miss the infamous loli thread back in July 
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Neverwhere
 Posts: 351 Location: socal |
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Heh. I was thinking the same thing. 
The ranter's point about the acceptance of violence versus outrage against sexual imagery is extremely valid, although I personally believe it is more appropriately directed towards Hollywood and the FCC, more than TV Tokyo. But that's just me.
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minakichan
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Excuse me while I wipe the milk-mucus mixture off my monitor. UM OK. Anyway, yeah, these are issues, but it's not any different from any other medium. I watch plenty of anime, and I'm still more disturbed by certain R-rated movies and English class short stories than any anime content I've ever seen. I also think he's missing the point in some instances. Yes, there are plenty of anime in which violence is portrayed as "OK"--or even glorified-- but there's also a lot that show violence (obviously not pointless gratuitous violence) and convey a distinct message that this violence is not a good thing. |
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Unholy_Nny
 Posts: 622 |
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Alright, not reading previous posts and wont return to read any reactions to this.... Not enough time, too much work to do...
Anyways, I think this weeks rant was a prank I didn't even read it, I noticed the mention of violence being bad and decided this right off the bat. Hehe, bat... *goes back to watching Higurashi no Naku Koro ni* |
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0utf0xZer0
Posts: 80 |
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I think we can't completely absolve ourselves as a fandom from being a bad influence, because violent and sexual imagery do have an influence. But let's face it EVERYTHING has an influence, most of which can be negative (some more so, but even in these cases I find I'm quite skeptical as to whether these influences are really as powerful as many people make them out to be), and if you try and control all the negative influences out there... let's just say I'm not entirely sure I'd want to live in the resultant society.
Society does have some measures in place to try and protect it's children from the most harmful content, but that's not necessarily going to solve the problem. After all, rating systems usually measure the actual intensity of violence, for example, rather then the message it gives (or rate the violence for "illegal activity" regardless of whether it encourages or discourages such behaviour). For this reason, I consider rating systems an ineffective way to determine if content is suitable for people's kids. And like it or not, that means the role of censor by default has to fall to parents. Some of who seem to do a really poor job of it too (informed or not, who the heck buys stuff with names like "Grand Theft Auto" or "Battle Royale" for their kids?). As to the comment about the 14 year old son... yes, it depends a lot on the specific 14 year old. I've had a computer, with net access, in my room since about 13, and am almost 20 now... biggest negative effect on me was the distraction factor, which still plagues me. Sure, I looked at porn with it, played violent games on it... and I've become quite open to that sort of content. However, I actually became less violent over this time period, and I don't think I've ever done anything I would consider praticularly perverted (I realize this is kind of subjective). I actually strengthened by social conscience quite a bit in that time period. So from personal experience I can say there are 14 year olds who could handle having their own PC, even if they do get into some less then wholesome sites with it. However, there is a caveat here: I had a well set moral standard at 14. Many people don't. Unfortunately, I think parents who's kids don't have such a standard at 14 are in for a hard time. Many, of course, may mature over the years, but it's always easier if you can get the morals part down by that sort of age. And that actually DOES require exposure to various issues, not shielding. I also think that most people will encounter a lot of these "issues" during their teens whether parents try to shield them or not... those who's parents do try and shield them will simply be more influenced by friends in this regard. And I also think restrictions can contribute to rebellion, having seen what happened with some cousins of mine. This is starting to get pretty long and wandering, but I guess what I should say, is that rather then censoring your kids until they leave home, do so to a certain age, then actually discuss these issues and know some about what your kids are getting into. (And don't be TOO judgemental... I discuss very little of what I'm into with my mom with this reason, while I'm far closer to my dad). Life's much easier if you can trust your kids to be responsible then if you have to look out for them. Granted, I'm only 19 and have never tried to raise kids, but... as the result of this kind of upbringing to a large extent, I think it works pretty well (and as always, I'll include the "not for everyone" caveat... if you have reason to suspect this strategy wouldn't work with your kids, don't use it. I'm only trying to put an idea out there here.). |
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HitokiriShadow
Posts: 6251 |
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It wasn't a prank. The first 3/4 of it was satirical and people apparently can't read the last paragraph before they storm off to the forums and start yelling about the rant against violence. |
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LydiaDianne
 Posts: 5633 Location: Southern California |
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I liked this part! "Ritual Sacrifice" indeed! But of what, may I ask? 
Zac, terrific suggestions for the journalism major! I'm sure that will help, not only him, but others on this forum who plan on getting into that sort of work. Heck, the way some of the "younger kids" on here write, they could start right now! A lot has been said about parents asking the Gov't to censor this, that and the other thing...I sort of have to agree with everybody. But, in the end, the one who should be the most concerned should be the parent. If the parent doesn't know how to work a computer to be able to monitor their child's viewing habits, there are classes offered at every Community College across the country. There are organizations who will happily tell you how and what to look for. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the person with the final responsibility for the saftey, health and well-being of the child (besides the child him/herself) is the parent. Period. BTW - Cute kittens! |
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Richard J.
Posts: 3367 Location: Sic Semper Tyrannis. |
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I point to the AMV site's little problem with the music of certain artists due a certain letter sent by an idiot to a certain band. (I'm still fuzzy on how discussion of AMVs falls under "teh rules" so I'll be vague outside of PMs.) Besides, sometimes it's best to turn off the sarcasm detector and act like someone is being perfectly serious. It helps to get everyone ready to logically defend their positions. Consider it an exercise in theoretical tactics. Fortune favors the prepared mind after all.
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Iron Chef
 Posts: 487 Location: Seattle, WA |
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This might be the single most intelligent comment on personal responsibility I've ever read. As a country, we're quick to blame SOMEbody after something tragic (really tragic, or imagined to be so) happens to ourselves, our kids or our relatives when in most cases an ounce of "turn it off" would have prevented a pound of legal filings. Sideways tangent to the recent ban on trans-fats at all restaurants in NYC (and a similar ban on foie gras in Chicago) based on health reasons. The folks supporting the ban are saying that they're tired of the crapola coming out of the deep fryers, and how dare these restaurants try to do this to us? If you're worried about your health, you probably ought not be looking towards the Batter-Dipped & Golden Brown section of the menu. There are always lovely salads made with different and better-for-you oils, so go eat them instead, yeah? Same thing applies here. If you're worried about violence and/or sex, you should probably steer clear of anime. They're staples of the genre and you WILL run across them at some point. Knowing this going in, why the heck would you complain about it afterwards? There are those of us out here who know the risks and are willing to take them, and we have no problem turning it off if and when it gets to be too much. |
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