So, Encyclopedia Dramatica...

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/technology/1028037/encyclopedia-dramatica-owner-could-face-charges
from Demigod Forums

I came across this news article, which details how the owner/provider of the satirical website Encyclopedia Dramatica - who resides in the USA - may possibly be charged under Australian Laws as the website contains posts/articles that both insult and degrade Australian Aboriginals. I didn't realise that the American Constitution was circumvented by Australian Law - strange, considering I'm Australian.

Anyway, I've known about this site for a long time and while a lot of it is pretty racist or low-brow in its humour, its clearly an entire site dedicated to old comedic staple of "nothing is sacred" - the website hosts hundreds of posts/articles in a mock-wiki style that presents the over-blown stereotypes from just about every topic in a clearly comedic fashion. I understand that people may be offended at the content, and its true thats pretty much the point of the site, but is it really something that needs to be taken to Court? The website doesn't present its material in anyway other than comedic material and doesn't present it as hard, cold facts. Has anyone else been to the site, and what are their opinions? Am I in the minority here?

Side note: I also didn't realise that this website was on the Australian Blacklist of sites that would be banned under the Governments proposed internet filter. I hardly consider this the kind of thing that needs to be blocked. More and more, I have to wonder just what the hell is happening to my country?

off-topic
28,184 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from Demigod Forums Top

clearly you've never been to the Offended article...

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

What is that expression I've heard Australians use before... Oh yeah, Nanny State.  Australia is a total Nanny State when it comes to stuff like that.  Anything that can possibly be banned, likely will be banned.  For those in the US, getting banned in Australia is like a badge of honor.  :rofl:

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting 1Tiberius1, reply 2
What is that expression I've heard Australians use before... Oh yeah, Nanny State.  Australia is a total Nanny State when it comes to stuff like that.  Anything that can possibly be banned, likely will be banned.  For those in the US, getting banned in Australia is like a badge of honor. 
End of 1Tiberius1's quote

 

Here in Aus we have been suffering a persistant media rant on how we are racists.

 

I have not bothered to look at the webpage, but if it is just low-brow stereotype humor its probably better for the world its gone.

 

Some of us walk on the moon, some of us dream of walking on the moon and others laugh because "they" have big noses. Get rid of it I say.

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

I thought this forum was the Encyclopedia Dramatica lately.  I stand corrected :)

Good riddance to the trash I say.  I grew up in Mississippi in the sixties.  Stuff like that gets you nothing but hate.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Here in Aus we have been suffering a persistant media rant on how we are racists.
End of quote

Then perhaps you should listen.

As someone from the UK I have to put up with racist taunts from Australians. The problem is, for Australians it rolls of the tongue so easily you don't think you are saying anything wrong.

Time for better education, and better understanding of cultural diversity.

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting Fuzzy, reply 5
As someone from the UK I have to put up with racist taunts from Australians. The problem is, for Australians it rolls of the tongue so easily you don't think you are saying anything wrong.
End of Fuzzy's quote

How do Australians portray English in a racial way?  I am just asking as I was not aware of this rivalry or apparently the nastiness that part of it has become.

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Dr, reply 6
How do Australians portray English in a racial way?  I am just asking as I was not aware of this rivalry or apparently the nastiness that part of it has become.
End of Dr's quote

I know in areas like cricket, Australian fans and players have a reputation for being deliberately offensive (justified or not, I really don't know).  Perhaps it's not directed at "Anglo-Saxon" English, but English athletes with African or Indian ancestry.

 

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

Then perhaps you should listen.

As someone from the UK I have to put up with racist taunts from Australians. The problem is, for Australians it rolls of the tongue so easily you don't think you are saying anything wrong.

Time for better education, and better understanding of cultural diversity.
End of quote

Was that intended to be ironic? Or are you really that stupid?

Stick your geographically sensitive generalizations where they belong fuzzy, it's nobodies fault where they are born.

Reply #10 from Demigod Forums Top

Australia has now been listed on the "Enemies of the Internet" list, along side Iran, China and several other countries who's Governments supress the Freedoms of their populations.

As for Australians being racist, I think you'll find the vocal minority that you've encountered are fairly identical to the vocal minority I've encountered from: Africa, America, China, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Iran and any other country with Internet access. The simple fact of the matter is its not any one nation or peoples propergating racism; you'll find racism everywhere if you look hard enough. If you honestly think Australia as a nation - or any nation as a whole - is racist and promotes racism or discrimination then you've listened to the limited, bias media reports which attempt to drum up controversy of any kind to sell more news papers or recieve more internet traffic to gain more money from their advertising deals, such as the 'Hey Hey Its Saturday' Black-face 'scandal'.

Reply #11 from Elemental Forums Top

  Well said Zehdon.  I think censorship will always be in limelite because it is constantly monitored(funny huh) and people want to push it in one direction or another.  As for the racism, it can disappear in my opinion, but it will take a planet wide catastrophy to get everyone on same page at same time.  I also think the further away we get from historical slavery the better chances for this happening.  Just another opinion..