Jump to content

Should Certain Site Topics Be Banned?


Uaithne
 Share

Recommended Posts

In your opinion, should certain genres or site-wide topics be banned?  What are they?  Why do you think they should be banned?

 

Several years ago, I saw a school shooting RP.  The roleplay focused on the characters (primarily the victims and innocent bystanders, if I remember correctly) leading up to the shooting.  I'm not sure what they did after this plot ended since their plot really was a school shooting and nothing more.  Did they RP the months following it?  Did they start over at a new school?  I don't know.  I'm not sure how long that site survived.

 

When I saw this site, I was weirded out about it.  There are some topics that might be okay to write about in fiction but don't translate well to RP.  It's challenging because 1) members might not have the respect or writing skills necessary to carry out the complicated emotions behind a situation such as this, and 2) many people live vicariously through the lives of their RP characters, and a site like this might encourage people to glorify the situation of a school shooting (or whatever the plot may be).

 

But at the same time, people have the freedom of expression and the freedom to write what they want.  Tasteless as it might seem, these sorts of things can also be used for exploration and understanding and closure.  Some people struggle to come to terms with various events in our world, and writing it might help them in ways that we don't really understand.  Others might find the topic fascinating and, since it's taboo, can't really discuss it with many other people IRL or online.

 

Where is the line drawn?  If people have school shooting RPs, can they have Holocaust RPs?  Would roleplaying the Rwandan genocide be okay?  What about something related to terrorism or sex trafficking?

 

I don't have an answer.  I would never join an RP like any of these because they aren't my taste and I have no desire to play them, but just because I wouldn't join doesn't mean that they shouldn't exist.

  • I read this! 1
  • Agree 1

WoL___dark01.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think I'd always be worried about making light of such topics and that it would hurt people who have directly experienced it by making it into a 'game' so to speak. I have no problem with people writing stories about such topics as they need to be written, for the sake of people who have experienced it and they can be used as a 'window' to help people understand what people go through (and, hopefully, help prevent things from happening in real life.) I think one of the problems you'd encounter with such boards is if they did it in a real-life manner. I've found that science fiction can touch upon things like the holocaust and terrorism but because the setting is not real and has a detachment from reality, it doesn't have the same impact that a real-life setting would. (I talking about the situation between the Bajorans and Cardassians that's explored in Deep Space Nine.) The reason why I think it works in a science fiction setting is that it avoids stereotyping and pointing fingers at a certain race or country (as well as the problems for real-life victims, people of a certain race, nationality or religion can be portrayed as a villain even when they've had nothing to do with the crime.)

  • I read this! 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The topic of how much and too much have been something fiction writers have dealt with for years. Fiction is different than RPG, however, because no matter if we call it a role playing game or a collaborative writing?  There is a very real interpersonal experience that happens which can't really be detached from with the same ease as a book. I'd even say it can't really be detached as far at all. Engaging in actively writing the story and anticipating responses from fellow writers takes that much more head space. You go deeper than the scene to consider things like injuries, mental reactions, take away, and actions in the moment. There are things that are going to be a hard no: any erotic scenes with minors written out, certain actions with said minors as well depending. This is as much for legal reasons as for any issue of morality. I've written out the perspective of younger characters. While recognizing history and country views childhood/adulthood starts at different times?  Common sense is pretty necessary here.

 

  Things such as racial prejudice, war, death, and other things depend on the content of the rp and the writers there. I, for one, have no issues writing something like miscarriage, or seeing someone reference an abortion.  It is why some people label stories after all. I tend to write a full gamet of joy and sorrow, and with that, comes the determination of where I will go based on the situations of the time.  

Icewolf make a good point about hard concepts related to genre. Science fiction has been a window to view genocide, ethnic relations, terrorism, people with factions, and more for years now. We're watching fictional people engage in these situations. While we have feelings about them, they are through the lens of something not real from the onset. As a writer, it's easier to really take on more of a character than it would be in a real life rpg.  Your character, then, can be as close as the six o'clock news. Playing a war in history can even be seen as different to playing a war from our more modern conscience.  RPG's from WWI and WWII are not uncommon, but handling subject matters such as the use of mustard gas on troops or the horrors faced by the Jews as far as the interior of a concentration camp?  Exploring the reactions of chemical warfare between soldier to soldier can be harsh, but live genocide played out from start to finish?  The implied/stated content of that would be more than enough.  Living within the camp itself would need to be decided, again, by individual admin, or what scenes would be suitable in general.  In that way, it is important to remember that this isn't just general history for inspiration. Events that were real, deep, and traumatic should always be handled with due diligence.  Would this context, genocide, be the same in a story for Rwanda and Darfur?  I would imagine so. You can play a setting without beating the horse so to speak. It is just as much an impact to say "the gas was let out, and everyone died" as much an impact there as a play by play reaction. 

I write and admin for a 3/3/3 historical setting based on British Occupied India.  We have a wide open gamet of what we would play and write, but it still requires us to be knowledgeable. I have a villian, for example, who secretly finances the workings of the Goan Inquisition.  I could easily imagine how something that might be a blip on the  Western radar is a much harsher, much more vivid circumstance in the East.  Destruction of culture and decimation of people always is.  He is also a killer himself who believes in his own righteousness as far as determination by victim. So writing something that intense, I would more easier write his interactions with victims than whole cultural decimation from the perspective of this bent man. I am an active believer also that censorship on the wider whole isn't something to advocate, which is why it is good there isn't, say, a one size standard for the whole RP community.  To me, writing in  certain historical settings is a lot like writing in fantasy or science fiction. I find it easier to detach and view through the lense of writer/researcher than through deeper experience lense.   I've written torture scenes and true crime level things, and while this to me isn't hard?  Say writing a torment scene of an afflicted cultural person during legit global crisis would be different.   Historical rpg has given me the chance to write out characters who have lived through slavery as slaves, been purchases of slaves, and deal with hot button issues such as gender inequality, gender focused violence, living conditions, and all manner of things that are not historically pretty, but relevant to experience. I've written criminals, thieves, whores, and pimps.  I've written battles, too. Medieval - Modern Warfare. War in general is a bloody business. 

My final take away would be to handle with care.  The situation introduced like a modern school shooting can as much be a way for someone to understand/mentally work with things they see on the news in as much as a plot.  I feel that as role players, which is a different way of writing, exploring these situations can be as cathartic and educating as they can be an interesting concept. However, we just need to make sure to do our due diligence and have respect for what it is we are writing, as well as the recognition that not everything makes for a good scene, too.  It's important to set up an environment with clear expectations so that people know what to expect up front, but also, as creators? Set up trust in your writers.  

Edited by Seahorse
  • Agree 1

NewSig.png
Welcome to the City of Destiny

Wedding Season 1797
Forming Families Among the Rumors and the Joy
Will you ally for love or money, business or pleasure, peace or war?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

While I think that a setting like this is done in very bad taste, it could also be seen as a coping mechanism. Perhaps it was their way of dealing with the trauma that arose from it, whether they lived there or not, because let's face it. People are, for the most part, a rather empathic species and many of use feel the trauma that a situation like this creates and it's psychologically painful aftermath. I mean look at the solidarity and empathy across the globe that came from 9/11 or the Paris attacks. Just because you are not at ground zero doesn't not mean it isn't traumatic for you. 

 

Again, I do believe sites like this are created in bad taste (though I doubt that is the intention), but you're also dismissing the reasons out of hand. It's not necessarily done to sensationalize it or trivialize it, it could simply be a method of dealing with it and helping them get past the trauma. Do I think there are some people who just want a rush of playing this situation out? Sure do, and they're probably psychologically disturbed in some manner or another. Do I think all of them think or feel this way? No absolutely not. 

 

And if you think RP and writing a book is different in the immersion and detail and the mind sinking into the story, it's not. It is far more similar than it is different. Published author friends of mine feel their characters. Sink themselves in the trials and tribulations of their characters and lose themselves in the story just as much as we do. And by the by, book writing is probably far more research and timeline intensive than RPing.

  • I read this! 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Devil's advocate: Said admin was present in a school shooting and seeking to heal their wounds through roleplay.

 

My point is, we don't know. 

 

We can't really put a blanket ban on everything, as it starts to verge on inhibiting freedom of speech and thought, and can harm social change. Who would institute such rules, how would they be enforced? What when popular vote turns into a popularity contest or "social justice" ?

 

Instead, I much prefer things now. Each person sees and decides for themselves, and if there is something truly awful, they can use the 'Report' button to report the place to the service provider (JCInk/PB/etc) for them to take care of it.

  • I read this! 5

zootopia.gif

A relaxed, dark and gritty roleplay based on Disney's Zootopia. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Personally, I think sites like that are more than just bad taste. Like I'm ok (yet hesitant) if someone's character has dealt with such circumstances in their history, but actually playing them out? I have no interest in that, either reading or participating. If it's a book, either fiction on non-fiction, that I have no problem with. It's a story that needs to be told in some format. But in rp? No way. Unless, as @Icewolf said, it's in science-fiction or something that is removed from the real-world events.

 

But do I think they should be banned? No. To me, that implies some sort of censorship. While I don't think certain topics should be treated lightly in such a game like rp, I don't want them to be banned outright. Frowned upon? Yeah, definitely. But as @xexes said, it's something that should be up to each writer. If it's something you feel you should report, do it. 

 

But at the same time, if you feel like there's something in that story that you want to tell, something you want to explore beyond just the situation at face value, I think there's something in that. If you're not going into it for the thrill of the situation (i.e. going into the school shooting scenario because you want to take part in one), but for the deeper personal and interpersonal exploration, as long as you take the appropriate precautions, I feel like there's some value to that. What those exact precautions are, I'm not sure. But these situations aren't something people just jump into without thought. At least, I hope not.

  • I read this! 1

translunary.gif.5374a61b67b4df1af4bb898e0c039553.gif

a dark, urban fantasy;

inspired by sailor moon

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In your opinion, should certain genres or site-wide topics be banned? Yes and no.

 

What are they?  Here are the topics I ban on my site: Pedophilia and bestiality. I absolutely will not have anything to do with it and I absolutely will not run a site that allows it. In fact, I cringe when people call pedophilia "kiddie porn" as if that's something to be lighthearted and funny about. It makes me question what sort of beast might lurk beneath their 'friendly' facade.

 

Why do you think they should be banned? 

 

Believe it or not, I'm viewing this from the lens of a conservative. This will be relevant in a few secs while I sift through my brain on this. This might be all over the place...

 

Let me begin with one thing I believe to be true: Banning is censorship. It isn't like censorship, it isn't only the equivalent to censorship, it is censorship. When you ban something, you're prohibiting a thing. When you censor something, you're cutting a thing out from view and prohibiting people from seeing or writing it. Now, if this is important to you, it all comes down to a matter of freedom of expression that comes with creativity. Roleplaying is a creative endeavor. It's an exploratory, collaborative, and creative gaming. It's a community based entirely on creativity, and a community coming together calls for trust in one another. This sort of cerebral and emotional bonding can be intense for something that's just a hobby.

 

Onto the second thing I believe to be true: Roleplays can be private communities, but most are communities hosted on public servers run by someone else. You have country laws to contend with, you have the host's terms of service to contend with. Now, moving past that onto private communities -- the people who have invested in their own ideas, their own time, and their own money are the ones who call the shots.

 

They have every right to ban certain topics that they've dealt with personally or are extremely uncomfortable with: miscarriages, rape, molestation, abortion, violence, bestiality, domestic violence, young children's deaths, consensual fetishes and kinks that are in the extreme, cancer, gore (I admit to having weak stomach with anything bloody), discrimination of religion, disability, gender, race, ethnicity and nationality. Note: Pedophilia, or any mature 18+ sexual content with anyone / any characters beneath the consensual age, is already absolutely forbidden anyway, so that's moot point.

 

Having said that, every player who browse a site they might join also have the right to look for a different community that will suit them better if they don't like how the admins are running things. It should only be that simple but it rarely is for some people.

 

Finally, the question seems to be gearing towards a systematic, wholesale banning. Should we all ban specific things as a wide network of roleplayers? Some things, yes, which are or should be already banned. For the most part besides those, though, no. That should be the sole discretion of players and staffers.

  • I read this! 2

300x80AdBanner.png

home sweet home.

18th century British India rp. Jcink premium.

 

be geeky with me!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For the general scope of this thread, let's focus more on the bigger genre-related things rather than the individual events.  (A site about a school shooting rather than just a character who experienced it as a personal plot.)

 

Let's say that we decide to ban these sorts of sites . . . where do you draw the line?  For example, let's say that there was a site about bestiality, like all the characters get paired up with their own animals in some sort of dating match-up.  I think we can all agree that it is pretty messed up.  But if you ban something like this, would you also ban the animal board that allows mating scenes?  What about a site with sexual themes involving furries?

 

As @kay pointed out, many of these sites are hosted on public servers who might have a personal issue with it and ban the sites.  But what if they're not?

WoL___dark01.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Uaithne said:

For the general scope of this thread, let's focus more on the bigger genre-related things rather than the individual events.  (A site about a school shooting rather than just a character who experienced it as a personal plot.)

 

Let's say that we decide to ban these sorts of sites . . . where do you draw the line?  For example, let's say that there was a site about bestiality, like all the characters get paired up with their own animals in some sort of dating match-up.  I think we can all agree that it is pretty messed up.  But if you ban something like this, would you also ban the animal board that allows mating scenes?  What about a site with sexual themes involving furries?

 

As @kay pointed out, many of these sites are hosted on public servers who might have a personal issue with it and ban the sites.  But what if they're not?

 

I am a piggy-back hoster. Recently, someone raised a similar concern asking for a site I host to be removed, so this hits a nerve. I want to be very specific and very clear.

 

Firstly, each forum, whether a directory or roleplay can do what it wants. They can choose to delete a site's ad or button, for example. They can choose to IP ban visitors for whatever reason, perhaps they really don't like an admin. That is within their own domain.

 

But the roleplay forum / service itself is up to the webhost/web service owner / ToS. For example ProBoards has a very specific ToS, and they are known for being the most strict about content ratings.

 

Quote

Let's say that we decide to ban these sorts of sites . . . where do you draw the line?  For example, let's say that there was a site about bestiality, like all the characters get paired up with their own animals in some sort of dating match-up.  I think we can all agree that it is pretty messed up.  But if you ban something like this, would you also ban the animal board that allows mating scenes?  What about a site with sexual themes involving furries?

I understand that you're trying to make an example that is universally wrong/bad, however, this isn't a good way to go about it.  

 

I also want to specifically point out that while all ToS are different, most have terms specifically against illegal activities. Pediophelia and bestiality are illegal in most states and websites that promote such activities would certainly be taken down in a heartbeat. They only need to be reported for the attention of the host.

 

Quote

But if you ban something like this, would you also ban the animal board that allows mating scenes? 

Animals mate, this is a fact of life. Why not ban also people mating? Why not ban all of the fanfic sites? Down with all smut! Surely there are children who lie on their COPPA and read dirty material!

 

Quote

What about a site with sexual themes involving furries?

Furries as a group are a group of people. Do they not get to roleplay, also? Only certain types of people get to roleplay, but not not everyone?

 

Furries as a character are fantasy creatures. What about aliens?! Ban all the aliens mating, they are unnatural fantasy creatures, too!

 

What about a site with sexual themes involving furries?

Wait, some people like furries. Maybe only certain people don't like furries. Uhoh, now it's one group of opinions against a smaller group of opinions. Popular opinion.  Maybe my popular opinion is that all websites with sucky skins should be banned! Maybe my popular opinion is that all websites should be high contrast with massive fonts for ease of reading on my 1990 monitor. Maybe my popular opinion is that PersonA once said something mean so I'm going to go on a personal crusade to spread fake stories and insults about PersonA so everything they ever do will always be banned, no matter how many years has passed, because I am angry, and I will never tell a soul about the real reason why : PersonA hurt my feelings.

 

 

Edited by xexes
  • I read this! 4

zootopia.gif

A relaxed, dark and gritty roleplay based on Disney's Zootopia. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When we were first setting up our first forum (or at least my first forum as an admin) one of my admin put her foot down very hard on censoring. She is a journalist with her degree flying proudly now as she covers various things across the US. And it really opened my eyes as I listened to her. She was right, but the only thing that all three of us flat out said no one was child pornography.

 

To me the biggest struggle was getting everyone to see it that way. (though all agreed to the child porn thing, but I mean just other things that they didn't like) I can not tell you how many times I had to remind people that we can't judge what one person likes vs. the other, and I can't stop them from writing things that may have grossed one person out over the other. We just tag the board and move on. If it grosses you out or you are triggered well clearly we are not the site for you. But I am very aware of these things and very open to making sure that all the right topics get their tags.

 

I am the last person to judge on anything at the end of the day and frankly it breaks my heart to see threads where people will put down another writer period for anything, "their characters sucks, all they do is write gay men, their character is just too perfect." Because at the end of the day where you sitting honey? Behind a computer pretending to be a superhero. To each their own.

 

Don't ban topics, don't judge one writer to the next, and if you have to speak out about something--go find that asshole on twitter posting raciest garbage. Fight that fight. Write that write yo.

 

 

 

  • I read this! 10
  • Preach it! 1

"Everyone has been doing so much soul searching during all of this,

and I'm just over here drawing pics of my character's dicks."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As long as it doesn't involve sexual situations with minors or animals (either actual or implied) I really don't care what others want to write. I may not want to be a part of it mind you. But I'm not going to protest and try to stop them. I also will stand by their choice to write what they want because, like Kay mentioned, it's censorship and I've seen enough done in it's name to not want that to happen. (Remember when Target Australia banned Grand Theft Auto 5 because a bunch of knobs, who never played the game and had no interest to ever play, cried misogyny? Yeah... same shit, different day. )

 

I think the important thing is, and this goes for everyone, it's perfectly fine if you don't like something. You don't have to. But you don't get to stop others from enjoying it. (Again provided that it's not involving sexual situations with children/animals or otherwise illegal.) 

So that means if someone wants to write a fanfic or roleplay based around a school that churns out lil' Hitlers... Let them. You don't have to be a part of it. Others don't have to join if they don't want to. But don't even think about trying to play the "moral guardian" or "think of the children" or "it might offend someone" cards. You don't get to decide who can play what ideas. Nor should you even think to campaign on behalf of another group (they may not want you to, or they may not care). If they think it's a fight worth having then let them take that issue up with whomever necessary. 

 

Part of my reasoning here is simply that there is always the possibility of things you liking not being liked by others. So if you try to take away something they like then what's to stop them from turning around and taking something you like. (Essentially "an eye for an eye makes the world blind" but for loss of entertainment.)

  • I read this! 8
"There are three sides to every story... Your side, their side, and then somewhere in the middle is the truth."
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with a lot of what's been said here. If I see something that's clearly and obviously illegal (i.e. site themes that involve sexual acts with minors, bestiality, etc.), then I'll report it to the proper authorities. Those topics aren't just banned, they're illegal. I wouldn't touch those with a ten foot pole, except to hit the report button.

 

But situations like school shootings, holocausts, genocides, etc? I don't think sites that deeply and explicitly involve those themes (or entirely revolve around them, as suggested) should be banned from the community. They are in poor taste, in my opinion, and while I'm not "triggered" by them, it's not anything I would want to take part in. Unless I felt there was a compelling and worthwhile story to explore, which is very unlikely, I would just avoid them and try not to draw attention to them. 

 

In regard to animal sex scenes or even the furry community, as long as it's not depicted as humans having sex with animals, then I have no problem with it. Am I weirded out by it? Yeah. But I'm not going to judge someone else for taking part in it. I'd rather just not know about it. Again, it comes back to censorship. Everyone has a right to be into what they're into (unless it's illegal). If you want to explore that through roleplay, go for it. I know of several furry-themed boards, as well as bdsm and other mature/questionable content games. None of them are breaking any laws, though. I think roleplay can be a healthy outlet for frustrations, urges, desires, and other complicated emotions that might otherwise have no other avenue for expression. And if someone needs to make an entire roleplay game out of them? Go for it.

 

But if I find one of these games advertising on my own? I'll probably delete their ad. I don't want my game associated with that. And that's ok, too. Just because I don't agree with it doesn't mean it doesn't have the right to exist. But I won't participate in driving traffic to their site.

Edited by Sage

translunary.gif.5374a61b67b4df1af4bb898e0c039553.gif

a dark, urban fantasy;

inspired by sailor moon

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I want to be very clear about something because I'm not sure that people quite understand what I'm saying.  (It's really hard to tell sometimes when it comes to the internet.)  I'm not suggesting one way or another that any of these sites be promoted or be censored.  This topic is merely to get people talking and thinking.  I also would never, ever promote some of the things I've mentioned, such as bestiality.  But the reason I chose it for an example was because it's some of the most disturbing stuff you can find, and it's something that the vast majority of people can label as "wrong."

 

One of the things that I find interesting, though, is that many people are saying, "If it's not illegal, it's okay."  I don't disagree with this.  But it makes me wonder, if it were legal, would it be okay to play?  Is it only the fact that there is law behind it that closes it down as being an area to explore through interactive literature and roleplay?

  • I read this! 2
  • Love 1

WoL___dark01.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Uaithne said:

I want to be very clear about something because I'm not sure that people quite understand what I'm saying.  (It's really hard to tell sometimes when it comes to the internet.)  I'm not suggesting one way or another that any of these sites be promoted or be censored.  This topic is merely to get people talking and thinking.  I also would never, ever promote some of the things I've mentioned, such as bestiality.  But the reason I chose it for an example was because it's some of the most disturbing stuff you can find, and it's something that the vast majority of people can label as "wrong."

 

One of the things that I find interesting, though, is that many people are saying, "If it's not illegal, it's okay."  I don't disagree with this.  But it makes me wonder, if it were legal, would it be okay to play?  Is it only the fact that there is law behind it that closes it down as being an area to explore through interactive literature and roleplay?

 

 

 

<3 I totally get it.

 

The one thing though isn't that it is illegal or not, because I mean murder is illegal but we write it. Things like child porn are governed under a different set of laws in the US, and every time it is set forth in a Trial it is always backed off, (Community Standards style), even in fiction. Recently I do believe I read somewhere that an author got 10 years in federal prison for it.

 

I imagine, though I can not off the top of my head think of one, the writing of school shootings will someday be under that same standard.

 

I guess a good rule of thumb I have always been under is that if you read it in a book, you can write it in an RP. But then the argument also goes with like Lagoon and Titanic, they were all under age and we watching them have sex.

 

So the bottom line is, the case of underage sex can actually be pulled down and taken to Trial, unlike the writing of other actions such as rape or shootings.

 

Food for thought no?

 

 

Great topic.

  • Thank you 2

"Everyone has been doing so much soul searching during all of this,

and I'm just over here drawing pics of my character's dicks."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some other morally gray areas are incest, polygamy, child brides, or vastly different ages in relationships. What about horrible things that happened in history like genocides or slavery?

 

Is polygamy only okay if you are a poly-couple, live in a polygamy-legal place, or are Amish(*)? Is it only okay if you are a historical roleplay where harems and concubines were normal? Is slavery only an ok thing to play in a colonist America roleplay, or a fantasy vampries-now-rule-the-earth site?

 

 

Siding with the laws are really the only concrete things that we have in morally gray areas.

 

 

 

(*) I really don't know this culture or how it operates, if I made a mistake I would love to hear more

Edited by xexes
  • I read this! 2

zootopia.gif

A relaxed, dark and gritty roleplay based on Disney's Zootopia. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use, Guidelines and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.