I understand exactly what censorship is--I simply believe there are various degrees of censorship, some of which are more serious than others.
Censorship: deleting parts of publications or correspondence or theatrical performances

Walmart deletes various parts of cds that they deem inappropriate, primarily, profanity.

Censor: any person who supervises the manners or morality of others

So, if you consider the ROOT WORD of censorship, I am not exactly off topic, at all. I simply disagree with your immutable view of what censorship is, and what qualifies as censorship. There are various avenues of censorship, whether it is directly omitting information, or simply deterring individuals from viewing the material itself.

Definitions are courtesy of dictionary.com, by the way. :)

hahhaa... someone wasn't you, by the way. :)

Um when you got PWND by MysticCat, you have little room for complaining.

I'm not contributing to the conversation now, and I don't mind at all, because I think this thread was silly from the start seeing how we have half a dozen on the stupid show.

So stop censoring people on this message board. According to your definition that's what you're doing.

What do you mean by , "Wal Mart deletes various parts of cd's that they deem inappropriate"? I was under the impression that Wal Mart simply didn't carry offensive cd's. I'm pretty sure Wal Mart cannot delete artists material and then sell them how they see fit. Artists have to make edited versions of their cd's........then they can have Wal Mart distribute them.

Walmart does not delete various parts of CDs. Walmart SELLS censored copies of CDs, as well as the uncensored versions. But Walmart doesn't make the decsion of what stays and what goes in the censored version (it's copyrighted material, they can't just go changing it), that's up to the producer. It's up to the individual which copy to buy.

ETA:

I do believe they carry the "offensive" CD's in both orginal and censored versions.
Either way, if a store chooses not to carry a certain product for whatever reason, that still doesn't qualify as censorship. The have the right to carry whatever products they want. You can still go to the nearest Sam Goody and pick it up.

And if the artist/company chooses not to censor their product, Walmart can choose not to sell it. If people don't like it, they won't spend their money at Walmart. This is capitalism.

The stupid show is one of my favorites.

O, they carry them, they are just bleeped out copies. And it is Walmart's decision to do so, although yes, the producer can put out a "cleaner" version, just like a radio station can only play the "nicer" version--which is still censorship.

But back to the topic at hand--"Greek" show--good or bad for the Greek community? I think we are all in agreement about one thing. It's not uplifting to the Greek community, nor is it flattering. But again, we're in America, and sex sells, as well as anything else that is not exactly wholesome.

I'm not censoring, I'm disagreeing. I'm all for them censoring the "Greek" show, though.

Agreed.

"Back to the topic" - GC talk meaning "I'm loosing the side debate I started so let's quickly change the subject so maybe no one will notice".

So far in my quest for intellectual achievement in a Greek Life Thread........I have learned that:

A.) Puritans created censorship and are the reason why Americans censor material today.
B.) Wal Mart can freely edit copyrighted material as they see fit. Wal Mart = God?
C.) What the definition of "censor" and "censorship" are according to teh internets dictionary.

...Well....I'm ready for MENSA........

You're monitoring people's manners (contributing to the converstation?) that, according to you, is censoring.

If someone freely changes their product in an attempt to make more money it is NOT censorship. Erasing four letter words so they can be played on public airwaves is NOT censorship.

No, I don't consider myself losing any debate, I just would like to steer the thread back to its inception--which was to discuss whether or not "Greek" is a good thing or a bad thing. I don't want to keep going in circles about what is censorship and what isn't, because I already have my own view of what it is and isn't, and I don't need someone to try to bully me into seeing it another way. Again, I am agreeing to disagree.

Well, I disagree. And I'm not monitoring anyone else's manners, I'm disagreeing with them. If I made an effort to dispell those mannerisms, then that would be censorship. So, petitioning to end "Greek" is censorship, which I have already said, I am all for, since it contributes to the negative view of the Greek community. That's just my opinion, though, and as others have said, people can simply choose not to watch it, which is also what I plan to do.

No......Wal Mart cannot decide to edit a copyrighted CD and then sell it how they see fit. This is Illegal. That is up to the music producer and the artist. As far as the radio........artists have "radio edits" of their songs that are specifically mixed for.......the radio. How is this censorship? Nobody is forcing artists to clean up their lyrics. If they don't want to have songs on the air or sell them at Wal Mart......they don't have to.

Agreeing to disagree. "Greek"--good or bad? Should it be censored? Does anyone care anymore? Let's stop going around in circles, please.

So it's not just the monitoring, it's being in a position of power that lets you change things? Because your definition just went flying out the window.

Not exactly. I'm not monitoring anyone's manners, I'm simply disagreeing with them, which is what I just said. This is now pointless.

You win, all of you. Happy? :D

Post #1 of this thread was pointless. And everything since then just went downhill.

I don't think you are understanding here.......there is not disagreeing.....nothing you said about Wal Mart or the Radio is true......at all.

"Greek" is irrelavent......it looks like a terrible show on ABC Family that nobody will watch. I do not think it will have any real affect on real Greeks, I'm not that concernced about it, and I really don't think anyone will care that they have a TV show about fake fraternities/sororities. If people think they should make up their minds about Greek Life based on a teenager-targeted TV show....then they should be slapped in the face.

Agreed, but unfortunately, many of those people WILL take what they see on television for fact, which is not a positive for the Greek community.

If you think that ratings = censorship, apparently you don't understand exactly what censorship is.

Assuming that this definition is correct, which I wouldn't (it's the last definition given at dictionary.com, and unlike with the other, more specific definitions, the source isn't even an actual, widely-relied on dictionary), what does it have to do with TV, movie or CD ratings? It was ratings, not deletions from performances, that you said were censorship.

Take a look at the primary definition of "censor" at your source, dictionary.com:

an official who examines books, plays, news reports, motion pictures, radio and television programs, letters, cablegrams, etc., for the purpose of suppressing parts deemed objectionable on moral, political, military, or other grounds.

Likewise, the definitions from the American Heritage Dictionary are:

A person authorized to examine books, films, or other material and to remove or suppress what is considered morally, politically, or otherwise objectionable.
An official, as in the armed forces, who examines personal mail and official dispatches to remove information considered secret or a risk to security.

Last time I checked, neither Walmart nor a movie theater are "officials," nor are the "authorized" by anyone to do anything. (And others are right -- Wal-Mart can't edit copyrighted CDs or DVDs. They can and do sell "cleaned-up" versions produced by the companies who make the CDs or DVDs.)

Even by the secondary definition you posted, in what way does Wal-Mart, a movie theater or a store have any power to "supervise" your manners or morality? They don't.

As a verb, it means:

to examine and act upon as a censor.
to delete (a word or passage of text) in one's capacity as a censor

Sorry, but ratings are not censorship. Calling them censorship doesn't change the fact that they're not.

Well....to be honest......that's there problem. People that take that kind of show for fact are also the type people that get legal advice from Law and Order and think that Dennis Leary is a real fire fighter.

Sorry, but I think they are--and of course, anyone is free to disagree. There are many definitions of what censorship is, which is what I am pointing out. Just because you don't agree with me doesn't mean that my point isn't valid, nor does my opinion negate yours. I'm done with this thread. Bye! Have fun arguing with yourselves. ;)

OMG...I've got Typhoid Fever...I know because I saw it on Scrubs, which was then confirmed by ER.

I think a cat is a purple amphibian that lays eggs and then eats its young.

ITS TRUE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't worry, we won't let the facts interfere with your opinion.

Would that thinking so made it so.

That's the way it really works.

Some things to note:

First, the "government," through The Federal Communications Commission cannot censor broadcast programming. The Communications Act of 1934 as amended by the Telecom Act of 1996 does not allow censorship. What the Commission CAN do is punish broadcast stations for breaking rules pertaining to language and other social issues. Censorship (at least to me) implies stopping something BEFORE it is distributed. That's not the case in broadcasting.

Second, it's questionable whether the FCC (government) could do anything in this case anyway because ABC Family is NOT an on-air network. It is a cable channel and does not use the "public airwaves" and the FCC has considerably less power. Most of the Act(s) regarding cable pertain to franchise issues and how many public access channels a system must provide, etc.

Third, a quick word on "ratings." There is a big difference between a programs rating (PG, etc) and ratings as what affects whether a show survives. The first is something to supposedly give people an advance idea of whether the content of a program is something they want to watch. The second, and most important one in this situation, is a supposedly scientific measurement of how many people actually watched the show. That's the thing that advertisers and network executives look at when deciding whether a show survives or not.

Finally, regarding use of language in records (pertaining only to broadcast -- not sale in stores), a radio or TV station itself may choose to censor what is played on the air -- including the deletion of offending words, etc. In fact, it is in the stations best interest to do that or it's likely to lose it's license or face heavy fines -- the "punishment" I alluded to above.

In reality, though, OTW hit the nail on the proverbial head. If people don't watch, it will go away. If people do watch, it won't.

========================

My Dad tells me that Toga Parties were a long established tradition with DKE when he was an undergrad in the 1960's. There were several other houses that had them as well during his time there. That suggests to me Toga Parties were a regular thing more than 40 years ago.
While negative stereotypes are annoying we do have to admit that Greek Life is not ALL about philanthropy and being ever so nice-nice. In all honesty while it is primarily about brotherhood and sisterhood not all brothers are valiant and not all sisters are virtuous, to use an old fashioned phrase. A house is an extended family and we all have some bad boy/bad girl members. Frankly, if we didn't we would be a pretty boring lot. We all have stories and memories of the things that we or our fellow members got up to. In large part these are the sources of our sometimes embarassing stereotypes. So long as certain obvious limits are not crossed I think its not such a bad thing to be a bit outrageous now and then. It was, afterall, our last chance before facing the real world. The transition to solid citizen is pretty much inevitable but not totally lacking in a few "last hurrahs", nor should it be.
My Grandmother says that in her day, in her house (Pi Phi) the "received wisdom" was that DEKEs made the worst boys but the best men. Depending on your house that could probably apply to many orgs. I don't think that is such a bad rep. Do you?

That's true on many campuses. Where does everyone suppose that Animal House got the idea? It is allegedly based on a particular chapter of a national fraternity.

You should totally add this list to the "Things GC Has Taught Me" thread. ;)

Wait, Denis isn't a real fire fighter? Damn, I always hope he's going to show up when some stupid person pulls the fire alarm in my building because they think they are still living in the dorms.

Letters to ABC Family to complain about this show
 

From www.alphagammadelta.org. This is on our public portion of the website so feel free to go check it out if you're interested. If you're not, then ignore this :) Obviously, if you're not an Alpha Gam, you would want to remove the Alpha Gam logo!

Information Regarding ABC Television's Upcoming "Greek" Program
Attention Alpha Gamma Delta members:

This message is being sent to you regarding an upcoming television show that will be airing on ABC Family on July 9 titled “Greek.” Many concerns have been expressed by both collegiate and alumnae members from all National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities. As a result, NPC has prepared a letter for members to write to the president of ABC Family. The show negatively portrays Greek life. As a member of the Greek community, it is our duty to stand up to the untrue and negative stereotypes this show is portraying. I encourage you all to take an active role in this matter.

The following links are two form letters that should be directed to ABC. Make sure to fill in all personal information that pertains to you before sending. Feel free to personalize the letter as you see appropriate.

Form Letter from Alumnae
Form Letter from Collegians

For more information and to view a trailer of the upcoming television show, visit http://www.virtualrush.com/.

So I watched the first episode and laughed extremely hard. It's stupid to the point of the polar opposite of true greek life.

The men had a rho chi for fraternity rush and they visited every house. The women went to the ones they wanted and were competing to get a senator's daughter as a member which naturally meant bribery with no shame.

The sorority was doing a fake recruitment workshop that basically centered around (omg last season prada shoes, obviously borrowed from a friend she has no money cut her) designer clothes. Then the sorority president says 'you've all done well. Now how about we go do some philanthropy work down at the senior center. [pause]just kidding, get your ID or fake ID and meet me at [local college bar].'

This show is so dumb it's almost offensive but then you just have to laugh instead because it's so ridiculous. I actually encourage PNMs to watch this show, believe that this is all greek life is and come through recruitment. God knows we could all use the laugh.

'you've all done well. Now how about we go do some philanthropy work down at the senior center. [pause]just kidding, get your ID or fake ID and meet me at [local college bar].'

^^^ now, that's funny!

I heard that there were some petitions to keep Greek off the air being circled around the KD Convention last week.

wouldnt it be more "effective" if there was an NPC-wide letter/petition to say "this is wrong, please take this off air?" i dont know if all 26 orgs have an official stance, but power in numbers is the best bet here. at least i think.