Should e-Books be Rated (like movies and video games)? - Page 8

alecE · 08-01-2009, 10:57 AM

No, we shouldn't see books rated like movies and video games. I don't buy the child protection argument - firstly because it's the job of parents to assist their children to a decent discrimination in their reading, secondly because children are much more robust (IMO) than they are often given credit for.

It would though be amusing to see how many interest groups would be offended by the introduction of a ratings system, for example:
Gratuitous cruelty to horses - Black Beauty;
Death by drowning, death in a barrel full of spikes, death by decapitation, cruelty by adoptive parent(s), sadistic torture, child abuse, being eaten by wolves - most of Grimm and Andersen (which I happily read as a child);
Genocide, fratricide, masturbation, incest - the Old Testament;
Oppression, deceit, marital infidelity, banishment - Arabian Nights;
False imprisonment, breach of promise, possible bestiality, capricious justice, slavery, death in battle, rape, same-sex relations - Norse, Greek and Roman myths and fables;
False imprisonment, theft, personal injury, risk of death - The Railway Children;
Infanticide, cannibalism - A Modest Proposal.

Would ratings really help?

Elfwreck · 08-01-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alecE

Genocide, fratricide, masturbation, incest - the Old Testament;

You missed murder, torture, rape, slavery, scatological bodily functions, and human sacrifice.

Y'know, I think I could get behind the idea of "child safety labels on books" if it would mean bibles got labeled "This book contains content that may be inappropriate for children."

For those who think that's ridiculous... I used to read the bible for the explicit sections. As a young teen, I sought out the passages about sexual activity and who's allowed to sleep with whom, and the sections about what conquering armies did to their victims. Unrestricted reading of the bible is probably a large part of why I'm Pagan today.

Andybaby · 08-01-2009, 11:42 AM

Well books should be rated. but I'm tired of the argument, "what about the children?!"
as a person who was recently afflicted with this phenomenon. I'm sorry, my woman beating father taught me more at 5 than a book ever did.

Kids talk about sex in kindergarten, you can bet your ass on it.
Kids will start experimenting at age 12, you can bet your ass on that, the pretty ones at least. (not that I did, I'm one of those late bloomers) but comon, up until the last 150-200 years. it was the norm to marry at 12-14.
Kids are more cruel than adults and find amusement in more things than adults do.

I personally think that all the child safety crap is stupid. stupid children should be weeded out. this world is getting full awfully fast.

anyway, the books should be rated, and have a short accurate summary of whats included in the book. cause why not? sometimes you cant tell a book by its cover, I remember reading a review of a book on the kindle. the book was about religion and the sample chapter was about religion, and the book had lots of sex in it or something after that, the person returned it cause they didn't expect it and felt it was false marketing. I would want books to be rated just for that. but as a whole they will have no effect on sales. it really doesn't for video games, or movies either.

Jaime_Astorga · 08-02-2009, 02:17 AM

No, they shouldn't be rated. Neither should movies or video games, for that matter. While I dislike the idea of private groups of people forming an agency to rate content and having most creators submit their content for rating, I do not think it should be illegal; however, laws which make, for example, buying an "Adults Only" game unless one is 18 are an utter abomination.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moejoe

It's simple. If you can read it you're old enough.

I like the way you think.

GlennD · 08-02-2009, 04:30 AM

I wouldn't mind seeing a bit of informational text on books. But I'd hesitate to call it a 'warning' or 'rating'. Both of those have some fairly negative connotations, and have been used as such in this discussion.

There are a number of internet forums that do something more constructive - they 'tag' articles and topics. A tag can be used either to search and find a topic, or to avoid it. It's not a judgement, it's information.

To those that don't want this kind of information - to some degree it's already there. When you see a cover blurb telling you the book in your hands is the latest 'sexy, erotic thriller' from Joe Author, it's either going to make you put the book down because erotic thrillers aren't your thing or it'll make you want to read it. It doesn't seem like an informational tag separate from the marketing speak would detract much from the book. I don't like ISBN bar codes obscuring the cover art, but I've learned that they aren't relevant to me and I can safely ignore them.

As far as censorship and the kids goes - it's a parent's job to censor what a child sees/hears/reads, based on the age/experience/maturity of the child and the values the parent hopes to instill. I don't have the time to read every book that my kids bring home (although I did read the Twilight series when I noticed that my 13 year old daughter was completely enamored with it), but I do take a look at what they bring home from the library. An informational tag would be useful. If a child brought home a book with sexual content, I might even *gasp* read it so I could discuss the content with my child. A book like Forever (a Judy Blume book about teenage sexuality) has it's place and would probably be a great basis for some serious conversation with a teenager.

View Poll Results: Should e-book content be rated like movies?
No - It's too close to censorship	44	26.99%
No - I don't like the idea at all	44	26.99%
No - I don't think it is practical, or it would be biased	53	32.52%
Yes - I personally like the idea	16	9.82%
Other - explain in the thread comments	6	3.68%
Voters: 163. You may not vote on this poll

08-01-2009, 11:42 AM	#108
Andybaby Wizard Posts: 1,279 Karma: 1002683 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York Device: PRS-700	Well books should be rated. but I'm tired of the argument, "what about the children?!" as a person who was recently afflicted with this phenomenon. I'm sorry, my woman beating father taught me more at 5 than a book ever did. Kids talk about sex in kindergarten, you can bet your ass on it. Kids will start experimenting at age 12, you can bet your ass on that, the pretty ones at least. (not that I did, I'm one of those late bloomers) but comon, up until the last 150-200 years. it was the norm to marry at 12-14. Kids are more cruel than adults and find amusement in more things than adults do. I personally think that all the child safety crap is stupid. stupid children should be weeded out. this world is getting full awfully fast. anyway, the books should be rated, and have a short accurate summary of whats included in the book. cause why not? sometimes you cant tell a book by its cover, I remember reading a review of a book on the kindle. the book was about religion and the sample chapter was about religion, and the book had lots of sex in it or something after that, the person returned it cause they didn't expect it and felt it was false marketing. I would want books to be rated just for that. but as a whole they will have no effect on sales. it really doesn't for video games, or movies either. Last edited by Andybaby; 08-01-2009 at 11:45 AM.

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08-01-2009, 10:57 AM	#106
alecE Evangelist Posts: 412 Karma: 546196 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK canal boat Device: sony prs505, prs650, kobo Glo HD liseuses	No, we shouldn't see books rated like movies and video games. I don't buy the child protection argument - firstly because it's the job of parents to assist their children to a decent discrimination in their reading, secondly because children are much more robust (IMO) than they are often given credit for. It would though be amusing to see how many interest groups would be offended by the introduction of a ratings system, for example: Gratuitous cruelty to horses - Black Beauty; Death by drowning, death in a barrel full of spikes, death by decapitation, cruelty by adoptive parent(s), sadistic torture, child abuse, being eaten by wolves - most of Grimm and Andersen (which I happily read as a child); Genocide, fratricide, masturbation, incest - the Old Testament; Oppression, deceit, marital infidelity, banishment - Arabian Nights; False imprisonment, breach of promise, possible bestiality, capricious justice, slavery, death in battle, rape, same-sex relations - Norse, Greek and Roman myths and fables; False imprisonment, theft, personal injury, risk of death - The Railway Children; Infanticide, cannibalism - A Modest Proposal. Would ratings really help?

08-02-2009, 04:30 AM	#110
GlennD Wizard Posts: 2,119 Karma: 17500000 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Pacific NW Device: sony PRS350, iPhone, iPad	I wouldn't mind seeing a bit of informational text on books. But I'd hesitate to call it a 'warning' or 'rating'. Both of those have some fairly negative connotations, and have been used as such in this discussion. There are a number of internet forums that do something more constructive - they 'tag' articles and topics. A tag can be used either to search and find a topic, or to avoid it. It's not a judgement, it's information. To those that don't want this kind of information - to some degree it's already there. When you see a cover blurb telling you the book in your hands is the latest 'sexy, erotic thriller' from Joe Author, it's either going to make you put the book down because erotic thrillers aren't your thing or it'll make you want to read it. It doesn't seem like an informational tag separate from the marketing speak would detract much from the book. I don't like ISBN bar codes obscuring the cover art, but I've learned that they aren't relevant to me and I can safely ignore them. As far as censorship and the kids goes - it's a parent's job to censor what a child sees/hears/reads, based on the age/experience/maturity of the child and the values the parent hopes to instill. I don't have the time to read every book that my kids bring home (although I did read the Twilight series when I noticed that my 13 year old daughter was completely enamored with it), but I do take a look at what they bring home from the library. An informational tag would be useful. If a child brought home a book with sexual content, I might even gasp read it so I could discuss the content with my child. A book like Forever (a Judy Blume book about teenage sexuality) has it's place and would probably be a great basis for some serious conversation with a teenager.

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