Comedians running scared over perceived shift to "political correctness"

[kneehidude]

So, they want to have freedom to say whatever they want, but they dislike freedom of people to criticize what they say? That's funny.

The problem is that, first, when people get offended nowadays they don't just go "hey, you shouldn't say/do that!" They actually try and get people fired or some other consequence. Second, they aren't necessarily criticizing what the comedian said, so much as the comedian them self. Telling someone they are an asshole for telling a joke isn't constructive. What is constructive is saying "hey, I think you should avoid x because y."

[Vanyali]

It's still not slander. And yeah, it might have been pretty fucking cruel, but so what? It's still just a joke.

I mean, Anthony Jeselnik:

Day of the Boston Marathon: "There's just some lines you don't cross."
Aurora Theater: "Ok, but how was the movie?"

Rude as hell, but funny as shit. /shrug

See, and that's the thing - you are not, even in the US, allowed to make a joke that's nothing more than slandering someone. That's kind of the entire point of slander laws. If it was to expose a truth, or a political point, or otherwise serve a public interest matter... yes, you can. But what "exposing the truth" is there in saying "man, that 10 y/o, he was supposed to die. HAHA HE HAS A DISABILITY HOW UGLY HE IS" while calling him out by name?

As for what is and isn't slander, I tend to trust judges more than people on the internet.. they've a mite more experience in law than either of us.

[Mistame]

As for what is and isn't slander, I tend to trust judges more than people on the internet.. they've a mite more experience in law than either of us.

slander
n. oral defamation, in which someone tells one or more persons an untruth about another, which untruth will harm the reputation of the person defamed.

I'm pretty sure what he said is a far cry from "slander".

[kneehidude]

How come the left never protests rap music?. Its full of all the hate, racism, and misogyny that you guys claim to despise.

Because it is "culture" to an oppressed group, and as we all know saying anything negative about an oppressed groups culture is a no-no!

[Vanyali]

I'm pretty sure what he said is a far cry from "slander".

"his disability is being ugly" isn't an untruth to you? Strange.

[almaderp]

How come the left never protests rap music?. Its full of all the hate, racism, and misogyny that you guys claim to despise.

Well in this specific case it's that he called out an individual as opposed to being like blacks lol

[Mistame]

"his disability is being ugly" isn't an untruth to you? Strange.

In the context of its delivery, it's not. That's kind of the point of comedy. I mean, by your logic, anyone that calls Bill Cosby a rapist should be sued.

Well in this specific case it's that he called out an individual as opposed to being like blacks lol

Every comedian calls out individuals. The only difference with this particular case is that the easily-offended weren't wearing their big boy pants.

[Tradewind]

You realize the guy telling the joke is FROM Quebec right?

Yes? I'm not sure what I said that made it seem like that was news to me.

[Karlz0rz]

I don't mind making fun of "people" or ideologies/religion etc. But once you go into the realm of attacking a single individual, I feel like you are going to far.
I'm a big guy, and I don't mind jokes about fat people. I'm also ginger, and don't mind ginger jokes.
But once you start attacking me as a person, I feel like you are just being a douche.

[Deleted]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/comedian...ness-1.3691079


[/B]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/comedian...ness-1.3691079

How do you feel about this debate?
Is political correctness more important than ensuring we live in a decent, caring society?

Mocking the disabled, how we laughed.

[Karamaru]

Next on the list of Tennisace's loaded questions. "Do you still beat your wife?"

I recon he would be ok with it if she was fat.

[Lost Zero]

I'm pretty pro PC (within reasons) especially online. I'm sick and tired of people acting like they have some sort of right to be racist, inflammatory jerkbags and getting ultra salty when they are penalized for it.

Comedy clubs and stand up are different though. In a private venue, for the purposes of entertainment, and obviously within some reasonable boundries - have at it. Comedy is often based around shock and irrelevance.

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In the context of its delivery, it's not. That's kind of the point of comedy. I mean, by your logic, anyone that calls Bill Cosby a rapist should be sued.



Every comedian calls out individuals. The only difference with this particular case is that the easily-offended weren't wearing their big boy pants.

There is a line though. I remember an episode of The Practice (damn I love that show) about a carnival clown that heckled someone publicly and without solicitation that led to her being mocked and losing a date.

[Hemak]

I'm pretty pro PC (within reasons) especially online. I'm sick and tired of people acting like they have some sort of right to be racist, inflammatory jerkbags and getting ultra salty when they are penalized for it.

Comedy clubs and stand up are different though. In a private venue, for the purposes of entertainment, and obviously within some reasonable boundries - have at it. Comedy is often based around shock and irrelevance.

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There is a line though. I remember an episode of The Practice (damn I love that show) about a carnival clown that heckled someone publicly and without solicitation that led to her being mocked and losing a date.

I there needs to be a legal ruling to officially decide if public forums and social media platforms are included under the 1st amendment.
As of now it's perfectly within a company's right to take action against people. However, banning someone over unpopular opinions or for making jokes demonstrates a clear rejection of freedom of speech.

[Deleted]

I there needs to be a legal ruling to officially decide if public forums and social media platforms are included under the 1st amendment.
As of now it's perfectly within a company's right to take action against people. However, banning someone over unpopular opinions or for making jokes demonstrates a clear rejection of freedom of speech.

For the 53253295820958th time, Freedom of Speech has NOTHING to do, with you being banned by a private institute.

You shame the very concept by even bringing it up, with your make-belief wishing of what it applies to. "Freedom of Speech, i can act as however i please!!" ; Reality check - no, you fucking cannot. End of story.

[Hemak]

For the 53253295820958th time, Freedom of Speech has NOTHING to do, with you being banned by a private institute.

You shame the very concept by even bringing it up, with your make-belief wishing of what it applies to. "Freedom of Speech, i can act as however i please!!" ; Reality check - no, you fucking cannot. End of story.

My point, maybe I wasn't clear, was that it may be time to question companies like Facebook and twitter ability to silence people. See social media as a public utility. I think it's a worthwhile idea to explore.

It most certainly is not the END OF STORY. The scary thing about democracy is that you can vote West democracy. (Not that I'm advocating for that.) My point is things can change.

[Mistame]

My point, maybe I wasn't clear, was that it may be time to question companies like Facebook and twitter ability to silence people. See social media as a public utility. I think it's a worthwhile idea to explore.

You're missing the point. Freedom of Speech is protection from government censorship. Only.

[Elegiac]

My point, maybe I wasn't clear, was that it may be time to question companies like Facebook and twitter ability to silence people. See social media as a public utility. I think it's a worthwhile idea to explore.

And then we'll get to watch the hilarious doublethink as conservatives trying to reconcile an intrusion of the holy grail of capitalism with fighting the war on political correctness.

[announced]

comedians should be allowed immunity from any charges based on whatever material they are delivering, if we cant allow people to even voice opinions or say stupid things once in a while we are no better than Nazi fascists who invented censorship.

feel free to criticise but charging people for saying mean things shouldn't be allowed.

[Elegiac]

comedians should be allowed immunity from any charges based on whatever material they are delivering, if we cant allow people to even voice opinions or say stupid things once in a while we are no better than Nazi fascists who invented censorship.

And again: freedom of speech offers protection from government reprisal, not from social reprisal.

It is not the government's job to protect people who say offensive things from getting their compeuppance.

[Elegiac]

Pretending there is no PC on the right. How is the attempt at banning porn and video games going?

Also, don't most entertainers identify as left wing?