reply to post by B.Morrison
some of these process are honesty based & therefore no real means to prevent children from seeing inappropriate content HOWEVER if it keeps the
other websites out of the fire, surely a similar set up could work for ATS?
The problem is Net Nanny programs, installed by parents, libraries, universities, workplaces, colleges, etc. On top of that is the politically correct
desires of advertisers not to offend. If certain 'adult' content were publicly allowed
anywhere on ATS, then we might lose a portion of the
advertising dollars which keeps ATS free for its membership.
I write stories myself, one of them contains alot of swearing but the language helps define the character & without it the character would
suffer.
I also write stories and ATS is almost exclusively the only venue I use. Often, I'm tempted to fill out character roles with language common in every
day life (see Teaser Story in the latest Writing Contest). The Terms and Conditions prevent me from doing so.
Because it is fiction writing specifically,
I don't think its right to censor it.
same as art.
it should not be censored.
Now you are firmly on my territory. As you might know, I both write and paint to the exclusion of all other activities. The creative arts are my
entire being and when I'm not in my studio slapping paint, I'm on ATS writing something.
With writing, since I (almost)exclusively do it here, I give nodding assent to the Terms and Conditions and restrain myself in regards to profanity.
BUT, I also have other venues
where such restrictions do not apply. When writing fictions on these other boards, it has been my experience that the
skills of fellow wordsmiths are mostly applied towards 'shock value' rather than 'emotional sensitivity'. It is a difference most apparent when
comparing the poetic work of
Charles Bukowski (of
Barfly fame) and the works of previous
generations (Emerson, Shelley etc.) In the Twentieth Century, we have Yeats, Frost, Graves and Ondaatje to name a few. Seldom have these poets
resorted to the mundane with a determined use of profanity as Bukowski did.
As far as paintings are concerned, if I want to portray sexualty, nudity or other human pastimes not allowed on this website, then I just don't post
pics of them here. Out of the hundreds (if not thousands) of my paintings/sketches done over the past 50 years, I can honestly say that 99% fall
within the confines of the Terms and Conditions. Yes, I've written about the depths of human degradation and, yes, I've portrayed them on canvas,
but I feel no need to showcase them here.
I understand the ATS perspective, I just don't think its fair or 'right' in the context of art.
In fact i imagine if i were an ats staff member and i gave this topic the consideration it deserved, I would be struggling to reconcile my feelings
about the T&C with the rational my mind was presenting.
I have no problem, as stated above. Opinions may vary, but that is mine.
Just because it makes sense, doesn't always make it 'right'.
Question... what, pray tell, does 'sense' have to do with the creative process? The arts make no sense whatsoever. Anyone, like myself, who embarks
upon a 'career' in the creative arts is, in many ways, doomed to a life of struggle and poverty. It is NOT a 'career' in that it is an enterprise
rarely associated with profit.
It is a passion, a search for meaning and truth behind the lies we have been spoonfed. It is NOT only a search for love and beauty, nor a plunging
into the depths of despair and ugliness... it is a study of ALL that life offers, both materially and spiritually.
To focus only on one small facet (ala Bukowski) is to narrow the scope of study to the mundane and shallow. What is the beauty of a black eye as our
famous Mickey Rourke said in the movie 'Barfly'? What prompted him to say that while looking at the broken face of his lover? What truth is being
laid open and studied? Answer that and you touch the creative process.
Art is the study of 'meaning', the result of spiritual conceptions dating back to visionary activities in Stone Age caves. Compare that to the
conversation from the gutter and you have my complete concept of it's relative importance.
ATS really CAN do without it and survive.
sp, etc.
[edit on 24/11/09 by masqua]