Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Controversy and censorship
I've tried to stay quiet over this whole controversy over the @SlaveGirlPR account on Twitter. I really thought it would just blow over - but apparently it isn't, so I wanted to speak my mind and give my point of view. I feel bad that so many people have crusaded on my behalf and I've been silent.
I started this account and blog for fun. I always loved science fiction, and I have always been intrigued by Orions, Twi'leks and the like. I loved watching the RP on Twitter, and saw the idea for @SlaveGirlPR being tossed around, so I made the account.
The account came under attack even before I had the profile filled out or had made the first tweet! I found out later that it wasn't even me that the person had the grudge against - she had raised heck because someone had criticized how she was cybersexing in the public Twitter feed with another account (also played by her, so maybe it's not cybersex. More like cybermasturbation. Sad.) and so I was attacked because she was ticked at someone else. Really mature.
I even read tweets to the effect of "If you think @SlaveGirlPR is okay, then we (meaning she and her other account) are going to cyber in the public feed!" She had this whole conversation (with herself, mostly) about it.
Strange.
This person has called for Twitter to remove/disable the @SlaveGirlPR account.
Why?
1. She says it promotes slavery, and has contacted real-life anti-slavery and human trafficking groups to ask them to help campaign to shut the account down. She has contacted CNN and other news organizations, as well.
This is false, of course. The account is CLEARLY a fictional role playing (RP) account. The green women all over it is a BIG hint. "Galactic slave auction" is another BIG hint. If I'm doing something illegal, show up at Starbase 7 and arrest me right before the auction starts. Duh.
If I were part of these real life anti-slavery groups, I would be angry over the fact that some woman is trying to bug me about so trivial (and false) of an issue. Why not channel that energy into something productive? Organize a fundraiser! Promote the real-life group instead of campaigning to get mine shut down! If she spent half the time promoting the RL anti-slavery groups instead of trying to organize a hate campaign against me, they would have gotten more followers and maybe even donations! Use your head!
2. She says the account is offensive and an insult to African-Americans.
I'm not sure how green Orions and blue Twileks can be offensive to humans, but I'll go along with it and say that the account can offend others. Who am I to say what is and isn't offensive?
It still doesn't mean the account should be shut down.
The account doesn't violate any Twitter TOS rules that I can find, and I have read them a dozen times. It's a fan/parody account, which is PROTECTED by the TOS.
The problem with trying to shut things down and censor the things that offend you is that you probably offend someone, too. Think about it: If the Christian tries to censor a Wiccan website because it's offensive, can't the Wiccan argue the same thing?
There are two alternatives: Either both choose to exist and "live and let live" or both must be eliminated.
Just hit the "unfollow" button and move on.
3. She says that if the account is allowed to stay, the account should be blocked and no one should follow.
This, to me, is the best part.
Let's see the results of her campaign:
I started this account and blog for fun. I always loved science fiction, and I have always been intrigued by Orions, Twi'leks and the like. I loved watching the RP on Twitter, and saw the idea for @SlaveGirlPR being tossed around, so I made the account.
The account came under attack even before I had the profile filled out or had made the first tweet! I found out later that it wasn't even me that the person had the grudge against - she had raised heck because someone had criticized how she was cybersexing in the public Twitter feed with another account (also played by her, so maybe it's not cybersex. More like cybermasturbation. Sad.) and so I was attacked because she was ticked at someone else. Really mature.
I even read tweets to the effect of "If you think @SlaveGirlPR is okay, then we (meaning she and her other account) are going to cyber in the public feed!" She had this whole conversation (with herself, mostly) about it.
Strange.
This person has called for Twitter to remove/disable the @SlaveGirlPR account.
Why?
1. She says it promotes slavery, and has contacted real-life anti-slavery and human trafficking groups to ask them to help campaign to shut the account down. She has contacted CNN and other news organizations, as well.
This is false, of course. The account is CLEARLY a fictional role playing (RP) account. The green women all over it is a BIG hint. "Galactic slave auction" is another BIG hint. If I'm doing something illegal, show up at Starbase 7 and arrest me right before the auction starts. Duh.
If I were part of these real life anti-slavery groups, I would be angry over the fact that some woman is trying to bug me about so trivial (and false) of an issue. Why not channel that energy into something productive? Organize a fundraiser! Promote the real-life group instead of campaigning to get mine shut down! If she spent half the time promoting the RL anti-slavery groups instead of trying to organize a hate campaign against me, they would have gotten more followers and maybe even donations! Use your head!
2. She says the account is offensive and an insult to African-Americans.
I'm not sure how green Orions and blue Twileks can be offensive to humans, but I'll go along with it and say that the account can offend others. Who am I to say what is and isn't offensive?
It still doesn't mean the account should be shut down.
The account doesn't violate any Twitter TOS rules that I can find, and I have read them a dozen times. It's a fan/parody account, which is PROTECTED by the TOS.
The problem with trying to shut things down and censor the things that offend you is that you probably offend someone, too. Think about it: If the Christian tries to censor a Wiccan website because it's offensive, can't the Wiccan argue the same thing?
There are two alternatives: Either both choose to exist and "live and let live" or both must be eliminated.
Just hit the "unfollow" button and move on.
3. She says that if the account is allowed to stay, the account should be blocked and no one should follow.
This, to me, is the best part.
Let's see the results of her campaign:
- 177 followers on main account
- Almost 600 hits on one blog, almost 400 hits on the other - NEW blogs
- Numerous subscribers for the blogs
- A guest author for one blog
- Numerous requests for fiction to be written
- Several comments on the blogs
All of this in a week.
Never would have happened if she had simply unfollowed me and never mentioned me again.
As the saying goes: "Success is the best revenge."
Conclusion? I'm just going to go on doing what I've been doing: trying to have fun RPing on Twitter, writing on my blog, and collaborating with my blog co-author.
The hate-campaigning person is free to do as she pleases. I wash my hands of it. I'm channeling my efforts into something meaningful.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Blog changes
Due to some (very nice, not mean at all) DMs from some people on Twitter I think highly of, I've decided to make a few changes for the blog.
The NSFW content has been moved to http://adultscifi.blogspot.com - at least for the time being. Part One of The Gift has been moved there, in its entirety. Part 2 will also be posted there.
Why? Because of the attention that the @SlaveGirlPR account is receiving, I feel there's no reason to give my critics any more ammunition than they think they already have (which they don't, but that's another story).
Plus, @SlaveGirlPR is a role playing account, and some people might want to follow, but not want to be exposed to the mature content stuff. I think this move will help @SlaveGirlPR interact more freely with the Twitterites. :)
If you are interested in the mature content, please follow @Adult_SciFi and follow the blog: http://adultscifi.blogspot.com.
Thank you all, so very much, for your support.
The NSFW content has been moved to http://adultscifi.blogspot.com - at least for the time being. Part One of The Gift has been moved there, in its entirety. Part 2 will also be posted there.
Why? Because of the attention that the @SlaveGirlPR account is receiving, I feel there's no reason to give my critics any more ammunition than they think they already have (which they don't, but that's another story).
Plus, @SlaveGirlPR is a role playing account, and some people might want to follow, but not want to be exposed to the mature content stuff. I think this move will help @SlaveGirlPR interact more freely with the Twitterites. :)
If you are interested in the mature content, please follow @Adult_SciFi and follow the blog: http://adultscifi.blogspot.com.
Thank you all, so very much, for your support.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Listen Up, Masters and Slaves....
Our Twitter accounts are PG-rated, but the blogs aren't.
If you are
If you are
- under 18
- easily offended
- otherwise sensitive
please don't read this blog or subscribe to it.
If the above doesn't apply to you - welcome!
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