Comments on: What makes a book Explicit?

By: SubtleBlade

SubtleBlade — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 00:23:42 +0000

BTW, what the fuck are f-bombs, do they destroy, like h-bombs, or just kill people, like n-bombs??? ;->

By: SubtleBlade

SubtleBlade — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 00:21:17 +0000

I reject the use of over simplistic ‘tags’. The granularity is insufficient to be of any practicable use. I would encourage the use of descriptive prose to guide users, of any age or responsibility, instead.

‘mild swearing’, ‘ single brief shot of mild nudity’ or ‘multiple, extended scenes of full-nudity’ are of far more use in determining whether I or my kids should see/listen to a given presentation. Our views will continue to differ; but at least the arguments will be based on something more substantial than an over-simplistic, crude and essentially meaningless number or letter code.

By: Stijn Hommes

Stijn Hommes — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 12:33:24 +0000

Mike Wills said: “I would use the frame of mind that if I would not let my 12-year-old listen to it, it should be explicit.” The problem is that some people have very different ideas of what is appropriate for children than others.

Personally, I wouldn’t rate something containing well-used swear words as “explicit” but it’s clear they can’t be considered family friendly as well.

I suggest you don’t use the explicit tag and use labels like the Dutch “Kijkwijzer” does. They do judge age appropriateness, but in addition they add icons/labels for violence, angst, drug abuse, sex, and language. Just label books with those and recommend parents to listen to anything they’re uncomfortable with themselves first.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 23:16:20 +0000

I had to jump in as I just had this discussion with my 16 year old. On the whole I hate labels but understand they are a necessary evil. That being said, I have to agree with Mike and Christiana. Unless the podiobook is filled with f bombs, I don’t see it getting the explicit notation. As my son keeps reminding me when I slip up in front of him, he hears a lot worse in high school. However, there is a difference between a good sex scene and a down and dirty, explicit, over the top bit of porno — not that that’s not enjoyable from time to time as well. I just don’t want my son listening — or at least I don’t want to know he is

And, no, Scott, we don’t all hate your fucking brains. All we want is more podcasts from you. If we don’t get a new chapter of something soon, then we’ll hate your brains!

By: Evo

Evo — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 23:02:28 +0000

The rocktopi have gotten into Scott’s brain. Again.

By: Scott Sigler

Scott Sigler — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 21:54:24 +0000

EarthCore is explicit? What the fuck are you talking about? This is fucking bullshit, you all hate me.

By: Jack Mangan

Jack Mangan — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 20:36:17 +0000

If someone were to Podiobook straight-up, graphic erotica, then that would be a different kind of explicit than Tomi saying a bunch of F-bombs — or an itai getting shot full of holes. I agree Evo, that you don’t want to implement this complex, semi-efficient system, but at the same time, maybe the “explicit” label is just too broad.
Maybe the contributing authors ought to list the things in their books that listeners may find offensive. . .

By: Evo

Evo — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 16:19:18 +0000

Good comments from all. I’m disinterested in rating “all” titles, as with the G/PG/PG-13/R/NR/X model, as I’ve stated before. Several reasons for this, starting with the international audience. In the UK, they’ve got boobies on the third page of their newspaper. (I should so move to the UK).

Russell has the plan which most closely goes in the direction I’m thinking. We’ll see what others have to say. Thanks again for all your comments.

By: Russell Burt

Russell Burt — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 01:23:13 +0000

I just had to chime in here. I have a five year old daughter, and I have made sure she is already well aware that there is some language that is not for polite or casual use, but she will hear it. Giving this book an explicit tag would group it in with my own (which has a COMPLETELY justified explicit tag), and that would be an injustice. These two books are meant for a completely different audience, and I’d hate to see a book that has a much broader appeal get saddled with what most people would at first glance consider to mean “for sick adults only.” If you are old enough to figure out how to receive podcasts on your own, you’re old enough to hear some “obscene” language. If not, parents shouldn’t be blindly exposing their child to something they are unfamiliar with. My two cents.

By: Brad the Dad

Brad the Dad — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 23:53:16 +0000

My personal suggestion would be to mimic the movie rating system. (Not with G, PG, and R) but similar.

Since iTunes supports [CLEAN], [EXPLICIT], and Null/(i.e. nothing) this gives us three states to use.

Again, my personal suggestion, would be to structure it like this, or similar:

-[CLEAN] = G; okay for all ages; nothing else to say

-[EXPLICIT] = R”ish”; contains something we think is worth warning you about - here was can say “contains adult langauge” or “use of illegal drug” or “Contains Violence”

-Null/Nothing - PG; still should carry a warning on the Podiobooks.com site, such as the podiobook book mentioned in this post. It wouldn’t need an explicit tag, but on the podiopage can state “contains mild language” or “minimal use of adult language” or “minimal mention of 80’s music”

Just my thoughts
BtD

By: JeremyVS

JeremyVS — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 22:19:48 +0000

I like to think of such a rating as more of an “over-all” coverage, not just specific instances… if such terms are used in a (podio)book just a few times, when they really are realistic and expected (and since I think I know what book you are talking about, I’d say they are)… i do not think it warrents an explicit rating.

Now, if i could just start sticking “explicit” stickers onto other people…

By: Christiana

Christiana — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 20:16:33 +0000

Well, while I certainly wouldn’t be troubled by a few swear words either, I think that enough people would be that you should err on the side of caution and tag it, perhaps with a movie-style “Rated Explicit for language”, or something.

I’m not much of a fan of the MPAA, but I would say that Explicit would come into play somewhere between PG-13 and R.

By: Mike Wills

Mike Wills — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 19:22:35 +0000

I would use the frame of mind that if I would not let my 12-year-old listen to it, it should be explicit. A couple swear words are going to be okay to me. Heck, kids hear more of these words in school.