Tragic (Jeff's Flash) and More Tragic...
I won't deny that it was tragic what Jeff did. And I won't deny the horrible connection between what was posted here and those actions. I'll even go so far as to say a warning banner or entry page to advise visitors of "abject content" might be a good idea. But what I will do is provide PlatonicParadox with a good verbal thrashing for being such an idiot (I hear you, eNDaNGeReD, greendoor).
First, let me start by saying I really, really abhor a censor-happy fascist.
Now that we've cleared that up, we can move on to your alias. No, the irony of it isn't lost on me. But it appears that more than your philosophical ideology is paradoxical; now your actions are as well. The first line of your review tells me that you visit the site a great deal, hand have for some time. You then talk about how the content has degraded to a level that doesn’t meet your approval. There’s an easy solution to avoiding sites whose content you know grates your sensibilities – don’t go back there.
You go on to speak about misdirected youths, self-segregating creatures locked in rooms rotting away as they play on The Internet. You say they need better activities to occupy their time; more "filtered" content. You also seem to think that children are susceptible to learning the types of violence they see on the Internet. Watches the news lately? There’s a big difference between seeing a Flash character die and seeing a real person shot and killed on the news or television. The concepts are all there in any media – newspapers, Internet, TV, etc. Shutting down sites like Newgrounds or filtering and censoring content won’t make the world a utopian planet by any means, and it won’t prevent any type of violence in youth.
Which brings me to my next point - if you really felt this way about the content of Jeff’s Flash animation, why didn’t you say something until after the fact? Why didn’t you intervene or stop this from happening? Oh, wait – you didn’t even view it. Disregard.
You speak of the need to save resources; how long did your review take to write? Mine took about 6 minutes - and I had to join the site, too.
Quote: “Stop complaining about others before you take some time to look at yourself and see who YOU REALLY are.” Two things:
#1 – Take your own advice.
#2 – Who needs to learn something about English and spelling? That sentence barely makes any sense. Congratulations: you just got PWNED (learn something about Internet slang and online culture to understand).
I understand and agree with many people's desire to have this particular Flash removed. I imagine they will in time. But they have a disclaimer at the top of the page now explaining why it's her; it's only here for public record. I'm sure that pulling it immediately following events at the school would probably have aroused suspicion rather than helped in the (investigation or in any way at all).
Last, you claim that the site and other like it need to be shut down. I propose that you (and other like you) need get more involved in your childrens’ lives. If you don’t want them on the Internet, turn off or remove their computers. Firewall your incoming connections. Block sites you feel are objectionable. Lay down ground rules for Internet use. Be PROACTIVE at your level; do what you can. Passing the buck to congress and the government is the wrong answer and ultimately counteracts the whole concept and spirit of the Internet.
Let me ask you a question - do you have problems with your kids watching R, NC-17 or X -rated flicks? Having wild sex parties at the house? Smoking dope or doing meth all day long? What stops them from doing that? It’s not the cops or government keeping them from doing these aberrant activities. The stuff is easy enough to get your hands on. Use the same rules and enforce them the same way; they are obviously effective.
And finally, the best way I can think of to "save myself" and those I care about is:
To not waste another second of this wonderful life on people like you.