Re: "A new battle over keeping the Net clean," by J.Weber/LATimes
At the moment, moreover, it doesn't appear that there are a variety of ratings systems under development representing different values. In fact, a system being created by the Recreational Software Advisory Council, a Microsoft-led industry group, is quickly emerging as a de facto standard.
The problem isn't with PICS, or with ratings, or even with RSAC. The problem is that nobody else is making the effort to set up alternative rating systems. This leaves RSAC as the only option, by default. Let the free speech organizations demonstrate their commitment to their cause by creating their own ratings. Rank sites on the basis of their support of freedom, or on how privacy-friendly their policies are. Even formalize the geek code. Do something, anyway. The solution to bad speech is more speech. Don't suppress, ban, or oppose RSAC. Provide alternatives. Bubba
At 3:23 PM -0700 8/5/97, bpettigrew@usa.net wrote:
The solution to bad speech is more speech. Don't suppress, ban, or oppose RSAC. Provide alternatives.
Most of us aren't trying to "ban" labels, or suppress or oppose them, per se. Just to ban, suppress, and oppose: - any scheme to require them - any scheme in which labels are an "affirmative defense" - any "mandatory voluntary" schemes - any moves to legislate or dictate the forms labels may take --Tim May Voluntary Mandatory Self-Rating of this Article (U.S. Statute 43-666-970719). Warning: Failure to Correctly and Completely Label any Article or Utterance is a Felony under the "Children's Internet Safety Act of 1997," punishable by 6 months for the first offense, two years for each additional offense, and a $100,000 fine per offense. Reminder: The PICS/RSACi label must itself not contain material in violation of the Act. ** PICS/RSACi Voluntary Self-Rating (Text Form) ** : Suitable for Children: yes Age Rating: 5 years and up. Suitable for Christians: No Suitable for Moslems: No Hindus: Yes Pacifists: No Government Officials: No Nihilists: Yes Anarchists: Yes Vegetarians: Yes Vegans: No Homosexuals: No Atheists: Yes Caucasoids: Yes Negroids: No Mongoloids: Yes Bipolar Disorder: No MPD: Yes and No Attention Deficit Disorder:Huh? --Contains discussions of sexuality, rebellion, anarchy, chaos,torture, regicide, presicide, suicide, aptical foddering. --Contains references hurtful to persons of poundage and people of color.Sensitive persons are advised to skip this article. **SUMMARY** Estimated number of readers qualified to read this: 1 Composite Age Rating: 45 years
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Tim May