the only way i can honestly answer this, manimal is from my experience in the real world. magazines with pictures of a sexually suggestive nature are kept behind the racks in a convenience store. anyone can pick up a book from a bookstore or from the library despite the content. i don't know the specifics of the laws regarding exposing minors to content but i do know that when cases are tried, visual representations of sex and nudity are what are brought in as evidence - not the written word.

and to be fair - i don't know what the concrete parameters are here. i'm only asking that thought be put into anything that might be construed as pornographic because the rule is - no pornography. e_p_s and maelstrom could help me on this since they've been here longer than i have.

that's a good point as well. it's a gray area, i agree. i'm not the final word on this. from me, it's only a suggestion.

the banners are a good example - they've been removed.

Well having children and also being a perverted sod, I can understand both sides of the issue. I agree with the pictures temperment just so long as it doesnt take away from my ability and permission to say "assfuck" when the topic permits. Not only say it but go into great gruesome detail as to why it may or may not be the best way to eat a popsicle ever invented.

If it comes down to an eighteen and older section of the site (so long as the basic rules of no pornography are still in place) to protect the kiddies from our inappropriate blurbs of TMI I'd be totally in favor it.

There is a problem with that too. I am 16, so would I be penalized for posting in the "18 or over" section that might exist in the future? I think that when you strip the problem down to it's undies, one od the most logical solutions is to not post any porn or suggestive pictures, and mind what you say. But honestly, how many kids would acutally read any of this with out getting grossed out?

I like it when they burn me down there

I am taking all of you to church. Oh yes, get on the bus.

Can we run over then reverse over the nuns?? Ps I still hate you all

* i just want to be clear here *

i'm not making up rules nor am i saying that things have to change in any way, shape or form. i don't have that authority.

it's merely an observation i've made about a small percentage of pic content and thought it would be a good idea to remind everyone - not just ben although the olympics pics were what spawned my initial decision to say something - again, i thought it prudent to remind everyone to use good judgement in posting pics that might be construed as pornographic in nature, as well as using direct links to sites where pornography is the flavor of the day.

i don't think it's our responsibility to protect the chldren. i think that responsibility lies within their home, firmly at the feet of whatever adults have custody of said children. i think our collective responsibility lies within the context of the site rule that prohibits pornography to be posted - said pornography to be understood in terms of visual representations.

the same can be said of all rules on the site, including spelling, grammar, complete sentences, no leet speak, stalking members, pm'ing members without permission, etc. - rules that are reinforced constantly, thanx to the vigilance of members.

Well, yes. I think, I really don't know, and don't want to argue with someone who is right. I need sleep.

joy - you're way too friggin' cute.

... oh, and you have nice legs also.

*grins* You know, my cuteness and my legs are sitting here all in their lonesome... ;)

Edible,

Some of what you speak of is censorship, but you also say *in so many words* we should censor our own selves, and I *really* truck with that idea. It’s why, in all my time here, I’ve ever only asked a moderator to intervene on my behalf (in the removal of my poetry) once, because that right was not afforded to me.

A state of existence by the people, for the people, is a beautiful thing…but then you get fucktards that want to come in and post snaggly toe porn, who generate a general air of bigotry, and then there’s the sycophants turned damn ugly, the cherubesque little youtes hungry for acceptance and like mindedness…so let’s not concentrate all the attention and make it about the chitlins, because…it’s about all of us, and what we, as a whole, consider acceptable.

Power to the people! Whop off your knobs!

Erg, no one will get that Ice Pirates reference, so I’ll throw out the freaking bone (no pun intended)

Sexuality, then, not porn, being the state of things, and what we do and do not want to expose the Joyslayers, Heir Ghost in the Frogs, the Punks, the wee little ones, to. Cause, in that matter, the simple fact is, the majority of the population (myself included) all got together and agreed it’s freaking inappropriate to talk dirty to you *there’s an 80’s rock reference for you, at no extra charge* and just because you may be curious I really don’t want the guilt of being the one to taint your synaptic receptors, and the fact of the matter is…many of you younguns aren’t forthright in disclosing information, do not care to police or censor yourselves…which is why an adults only arena would be nice.

There are aspects of sex I will discuss with kids, clinical aspects, cause and effect issues, things that pertain to, but do not taint or advocate the joy of monkeys, fans, or the use of petroleum based products for added viscosity.

Cause those aspects are reserved for adults only, dig. Bring on the adults only thread!

I still find fault in an adult only thread. I mean, there are countless underage people here who laugh when you say the word butt. But then there are others, people like Ambi, or me, who can handle, understand, and most likely relate to certain issues, questions, and statements in the "adult thread." I find it sort of discriminating against myself and others like me, that we would be cast out simply because of something we can not control. Plus, what is your definition of kids? Not to be a rude bitch or anything, but I have seen and been through many things that "kids" should not have to deal with. I have but one question, Should we not exclude people based on what they, themselves can truly handle, and not by simple numbers?

unfortunatly, kids are exoposed to a lot more than adults like to think I was in second grade by the time I found out what sex was then probably knew what all of the toys and anything else most people think kids dont know about by the time I was in 8th grade. still I do think adult only threads should be there due to the fact that most kids do not completely grasp all aspects of sex expecaly (spelling sorry) bondage. so bring them on

You pretty much summed it all up with that statement, joy. You should not have seen or been through many things kids should not have to deal with. It’s not your fault, but ours. Would you, now having been there and done that, wish it on someone else? I don’t think you would, and I’d not procreate that sentiment in others of your ilk, it’s just.

Not.

Right.

Is an age limitation right? Not really, but it’s the best thing we have going, catches most of the things we’d separate us from them, of, and though it is discriminating, it is the best first line of defense.

*dreams of Xnguela's butt*

Hay, we have something in common, X!

...

K, I'm not laughing per say, more like--moaning, sighing, slapping in a she's finally 18 kind of way, you know...the chronological watch and everything, when all of g'net was waiting for you to turn of age?

Yeah, that's the good stuffs.

As I'm mentally 12, I can fully understand Joy's pov.. I would be slightly off put by the idea that even though I react to every experience as an adult I'm barred from a particular room all of the sudden due solely to my age. I would feel I had earned the right to play ball with the big boys because I had shown the level of maturity that the others my age lacked which directly or indirectly brought about the said restricted area.
But..
I could also see the necessity of said room...

You know, I understand the bigger discussion going on here, but I was really fine with it when edible_eye made the suggestion that I was walking too close to the line for his comfort.

I'm not sure how much we can debate the age apropriateness of content when maturity varies so much from person to person. I'm also not keen on observing an arbitrary number as a standard - the legal age of consent in the US is 18. I can't tell you how many 16 year olds are sexually active, but it's a lot. It seems silly in a way to tell them, okay kiddies, look away now ... you might see a naked BUTT! (That was for Joy and Xng)

Anyway, as I said, I was okay with the direction I received. With the exception of a few neanderthals that scrape their nuckles this way from time to time, this is a pretty decent bunch of people.

A friendly comment from time to time from a mod or another member should be enough to usually maintain a commonly acceptable standard. This issue has been dealt with in a mature way, without requiring an adults only area or policing of ages.

e_e talked to me ... I listened. It's simple.

Butt you're missing the big picture, Ben! We need an area where we can all drool over X's butt! We can't do that in said public arena :{

You don't want see the Xnguela butt? You really do, and Maels! Man, the guy's got an ass. Or Edible's massive, yummy Endorian moon chest? And, you really should have been around when Mrs. Maimy graced us with her prose of errotic delight, or the very first nearly nakey Wolfmoon pic...I'm saying, we need a forum for this stuff.

I need mah pornographic fix!

And we can't have that with a bunch of underaged...we just can't!

Sexuality? Does that mean I can ask sex questions? >_<

I'm looking foward to that picture of xng's butt. :)

I'm off the topic ... y'all can carry on.

I'm too busy laughing my ass off! :D