What if your world had age ratings or censorship codes? (Maybe for novels or plays.)

[BloodyHellSausage]

So, this is not an entirely serious topic, but I wanted to know if your world has age ratings for things like books, games, movies, stage plays, and so on. If there's no such thing as age ratings in your world, what would your inhabitants think about the concept of age ratings in the first place?

Another possibility is a censorship code, similar to the Hays Code in the 1930's. Maybe it could be a formally written code, or maybe there's no written code, but some things are too taboo to mention in a narrative work.

 

[Aryth]

That's an idea that I've never thought of including into a story! So no, my world does not have a censorship code. Though, I think it would be very appropriate for one of them. Actually, now that I think about it, one of the countries in a particular story of mine has outlawed the equivalent of magic. Anyone who is able to use it is put to death, so it would make sense that any books on the topic would be censored or destroyed. However, that's not censorship by age, just complete censorship of a particular topic.

 

[BloodyHellSausage]

So no, my world does not have a censorship code. Though, I think it would be very appropriate for one of them.

One of your countries, you mean?

 

[elemtilas]

As for The World, I can not think of any countries or societies that have developped explicit codes of ratings based on age (like the "PG" or "G" ratings in US movies). Nannystatism is a concept that hasn't evolved *there* yet. Also, what counts as pornographic and what counts as wholesome imagery for the tender young skulls full of mush do not necessarily accord with ours *here*.

There are examples of occassional acts of censorship. During the staging of Wandell's Sack of Pylycundas, for example, it has become traditional for the audience to cover their faces with fans during the (somewhat) risqué Dance of the High Priestess of Lo!. Mostly on account of her costume. The fact that the part has always been played by a young male Daine hasn't seemed to dampened the enthusiasm for this act of autocensorship.

On the other hand, families often make a day of it by going to see the terminal theatre that is the Elektrodrome or perhaps, if the weather is nice, watch a few poor sods dance the Last Jigg on the great Yardarm down at City Docks. Entertainment for all and cheap eats, kids get an education, what could be better than that!

I think that most folk of this place would think it rather strange that children (especially) should be so "protected" from reality that a whole and veritable army is out there deciding what people can read or watch is extremely odd. They'd also find it rather disturbing that these folks are also out there bowlderising and rewriting (dumbing down as we might say now) all of folklore just to make it more palatable for an overly sensitive parenting culture.

That said, there are stories and myths and plays that are not appropriate for children (or men in some cases, or women in others, or religious outsiders, or folks of different race) to participate in. A good example here is in the Kristian liturgy. After the general sermon, the deacon calls out Let him who has not received Baptism depart. Let him who has not accepted the sign of life depart. Let him who does not receive it depart. Go, hearers, and watch the doors! This is a sign that what follows is only for the adopted: visitors and guests and even those studying the faith are (prayerfully) invited to skeddadle!

 

[BloodyHellSausage]

Not entirely on-topic, but some countries, like the UK, has age ratings mandatory by law. Do you agree with that?

 

[elemtilas]

Not entirely on-topic, but some countries, like the UK, has age ratings mandatory by law. Do you agree with that?

Me myself and i? No, we don't hold with that kind of thing. That's the purview first and foremost of the parents, then of the family then the community to uphold in general. Government has no business this far into the lives of the people.

 

[BloodyHellSausage]

Me myself and i? No, we don't hold with that kind of thing. That's the purview first and foremost of the parents, then of the family then the community to uphold in general. Government has no business this far into the lives of the people.

As far as I know, even relatively harmless stuff, like children's cartoons, has to be given a precise age rating, which I don't think is usually necessary. It costs a lot of money, for one thing. (On the other hand, some children's cartoons contain dangerous stunts that can be cut out when they're released in the UK. Unlike other rating systems, the ratings board over there pays attention to that.)

 

[Aryth]

One of your countries, you mean?

Yes, I meant that none of the countries in my world have a censorship code.

 

[ThinkerX]

The primary nation of my principle world has a powerful and intrusive Church. As a result, certain books and plays are banned outright (blasphemy) while others are restricted. Moralists among the church leadership does condemn certain theatrical productions that feature nudity or sex as degenerate, but the prohibition affects the devout. The not so devout attend anyways.

 

[pmmg]

I cant say this has appeared in any of my stories. And a situation where it would come up has not appeared either. But, I do suspect there would be some common sensibility about what is appropriate, and those who seemed to act outside of it would get some form of public scorn, even if it was just gossip.

In the earlier settings in which I tend to write, I don't think this would rise to the level of a formal code. In future settings, while I am sure this would likely be in place, or would have been in place at some point in the past, its just not come up as important. I think I would be more likely to include it though in a more modern to future setting, if such a need arose.