constant hunger has robbed me of all identity

Fifty points for whomever gets the reference.

I actually want to talk about censorship, though I am hungry.

Now, my preferred method for approach censorship would be to write down, in very large capital letters, a certain four letter word. I'm not going to do that, however. If I do, I'd probably offend some people, damage my reputation (and more importantly, the school's) and so forth. I'm not looking to hurt anyone's feelings, which is certainly possible with the usage of words like, well...that particular one. In some ways I'm out to offend people, but that's another story.

However, just think about it, whichever four letter word sprung to mind. Look left and right, and then say it very quietly to yourself. See if the world ends. Take a few seconds, I'll wait.

Back? Good.

Well, I'm still here, which leads me to conclude the world in fact did not end. I even went onto BBC's website and haven't seen any disasters pop up in the last thirty seconds. So I think we call all agree that speaking such a word did not, in fact, hurt anyone. Those playing along at home will be quick to point out that I said strong language could hurt someone's feelings. The word 'hurt' is right in there, after all. Maybe it does, but it certainly shouldn't, and like most things, change starts in the individual.

Think of something that really offends you. Maybe it's people who talk in the theatre, or gay marriage. Maybe it's people who get offended by gay marriage. Just turn it around in your mind, get really worked up about it. Now, stop thinking about it. Think about chocolate cake, and if that's what offends you, think about ice cream. You're anger has probably disappeared already. Point is, if you're offended by something, there is no imperative for you to sit around and be offended by it all day. If you're watching tv and you see something that you feel is inappropriate, turn it off. Problem solved. If you're in a situation where you can't ignore it, then put into practice one of the lessons of kung fu: tough it out, and realize what's important.

Life is far too short, and people whose hobby is outrage are making this mortal coil less appealing. Language, like I said, can either work for us or be used as an agent of control, which makes censorship an incredibly dangerous thing. It is, of any kind, very subtle brainwashing, as the standards of 'decency' direct society in a very meaningful way. I'm sick of strong language or a breast on television being the end of the world, because it isn't--especially when there are several other ends of the world to choose from. Landmines and lack of food distribution are indecent. The use of torture also is. Words aren't if we choose to control them for ourselves.