Comments on: iBooks naughty word filter doesn't let you say "sperm" http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 05:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-753665 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-753665 So it IS true: iPads, iPhones, iPods and the like are for iDiots only. So it IS true: iPads, iPhones, iPods and the like are for iDiots only.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-950291 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-950291 I imagine a guidebook that referred to Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire (England) would have problems. I imagine a guidebook that referred to Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire (England) would have problems.

]]> By: Mark Dow http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-752159 Mark Dow Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-752159 Did Ahab's limb come with him to Essex on the Pequod? Did Ahab’s limb come with him to Essex on the Pequod?

]]> By: Wuss Brillis http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-753440 Wuss Brillis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-753440 Ip*d: cleansing device which does a hell of a stevejob. Ip*d: cleansing device which does a hell of a stevejob.

]]> By: PalookaJoe http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-752417 PalookaJoe Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-752417 Moby Thingy, the Weener Whale? Moby Thingy, the Weener Whale?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-752432 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-752432 The worst problem I see is not that Mac is too prudish to say "sperm", but that their censorship program is so badly made that it cannot allow for "sperm whale" as a single term. Is it really that hard to program a naughty-word detector that conceals "sperm" but allows "sperm whale", which is hardly an obscure animal? It's just stupid. The worst problem I see is not that Mac is too prudish to say “sperm”, but that their censorship program is so badly made that it cannot allow for “sperm whale” as a single term. Is it really that hard to program a naughty-word detector that conceals “sperm” but allows “sperm whale”, which is hardly an obscure animal? It’s just stupid.

]]> By: Azu http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-752179 Azu Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-752179 How do you know it's not filtering "per"? How do you know it’s not filtering “per”?

]]> By: frijole http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-752184 frijole Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-752184 The strangest censoring I've seen is on one of my apps... Piggies is a guinea pig soundboard, but in Canada, it only has "g****a pig" sounds. Check it out: http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/5164/screenshoton20090702at9.png The strangest censoring I’ve seen is on one of my apps… Piggies is a guinea pig soundboard, but in Canada, it only has “g****a pig” sounds.

Check it out: http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/5164/screenshoton20090702at9.png

]]> By: Cane Toad http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-752195 Cane Toad Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-752195 Obviously not an Australian nanny, given that in the line above it says that the novel is rooted. Obviously not an Australian nanny, given that in the line above it says that the novel is rooted.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-752966 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-752966 It m**t be r****y h**d to g*t o*e's p***t a****s w**n t*e m**t of o*e's m*****e is s*****d o*t. It m**t be r****y h**d to g*t o*e’s p***t a****s w**n t*e m**t of o*e’s m*****e is s*****d o*t.

]]> By: pinup57 http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751951 pinup57 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751951 Moby what? Moby what?

]]> By: Mark Dow http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751953 Mark Dow Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751953 Well, at least Mocha Dick made it through the filter. Well, at least Mocha Dick made it through the filter.

]]> By: JulianR http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751957 JulianR Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751957 ZOMFG, this is ridiculous to the extreme! I'm from Germany, this kind of censorship alone would keep me from getting an iPad. What is this, North Korea? ZOMFG, this is ridiculous to the extreme! I’m from Germany, this kind of censorship alone would keep me from getting an iPad. What is this, North Korea?

]]> By: LostCatSoda http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751958 LostCatSoda Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751958 Slowly...... Slowly..... Apple is returning to the 1984 commercial but this time as Big Brother. Slowly…… Slowly….. Apple is returning to the 1984 commercial but this time as Big Brother.

]]> By: grimc http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751959 grimc Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751959 Mocha Dick was the sequel, published when Melville tried cashing in on the blaxploitation craze of the 1870s. Mocha Dick was the sequel, published when Melville tried cashing in on the blaxploitation craze of the 1870s.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-752727 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-752727 iBook This book is rooted in two true stories.. Wikipedia Note that the word "root" in Australia is coarse slang for sexual intercourse. iBook
This book is rooted in two true stories..

Wikipedia
Note that the word “root” in Australia is coarse slang for sexual intercourse.

]]> By: AllisonWunderland http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751962 AllisonWunderland Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751962 Good work! Constant vigilance is our only defense against corporate nannyism. Good work! Constant vigilance is our only defense against corporate nannyism.

]]> By: Bitgod http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751964 Bitgod Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751964 Every sperm is sacred. Every sperm is great. If a sperm is wasted, God gets quite irate. Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite irate.

]]> By: kutsuwamushi http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751965 kutsuwamushi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751965 I'm surprised they didn't filter out "Dick." Is this censorship just in the store blurb, or is it also in the book itself? I'm guessing it's just in the blurb from the lack of outrage, but you don't say. I’m surprised they didn’t filter out “Dick.”

Is this censorship just in the store blurb, or is it also in the book itself? I’m guessing it’s just in the blurb from the lack of outrage, but you don’t say.

]]> By: kaffeen http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751966 kaffeen Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751966 Orwell would be proud. Orwell would be proud.

]]> By: Summer http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-752734 Summer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-752734 Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

]]> By: Avram / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751968 Avram / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751968 "Come; let us squeeze hands all round; nay, let us all squeeze ourselves into each other; let us squeeze ourselves universally into the very milk and sperm of kindness. Would that I could keep squeezing that sperm for ever!" -- <i>Moby-Dick</i>, Chapter 94, "A Squeeze of the Hand", I swear I am not making this up. “Come; let us squeeze hands all round; nay, let us all squeeze ourselves into each other; let us squeeze ourselves universally into the very milk and sperm of kindness. Would that I could keep squeezing that sperm for ever!” — Moby-Dick, Chapter 94, “A Squeeze of the Hand”, I swear I am not making this up.

]]> By: Rob Beschizza http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751969 Rob Beschizza Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751969 Just the blurb, I'm sure. This sort of thing is about not offending customers rather than moralizing. The fact that this is such a vague and meaningless target is why the outcomes are often so ridiculous. Just the blurb, I’m sure. This sort of thing is about not offending customers rather than moralizing. The fact that this is such a vague and meaningless target is why the outcomes are often so ridiculous.

]]> By: Nemo1 http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751976 Nemo1 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751976 Mocha Dick made it through but something tells me that Black Dick would not be so lucky! Mocha Dick made it through but something tells me that Black Dick would not be so lucky!

]]> By: VibroCount http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751985 VibroCount Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751985 I downloaded a surf music tune to my Sprint PCS phone. Now I can listen to Miserlou by D**k Dale any time I want! I downloaded a surf music tune to my Sprint PCS phone. Now I can listen to Miserlou by D**k Dale any time I want!

]]> By: kaffeen http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751987 kaffeen Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751987 Perhaps it is just the blurb, but that does not make it any less appalling. The word sperm, regardless of context, is not something that needs censor; even by the strictest of standards. The fact it is used in a non-sexual way just makes it even that much more ludicrous. Regardless, sexual or not, it cannot be considered profane. Welcome to the Ministry of Truth. Perhaps it is just the blurb, but that does not make it any less appalling. The word sperm, regardless of context, is not something that needs censor; even by the strictest of standards. The fact it is used in a non-sexual way just makes it even that much more ludicrous. Regardless, sexual or not, it cannot be considered profane. Welcome to the Ministry of Truth.

]]> By: Enormo http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751988 Enormo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751988 "The man" is very stupid. Essentially when an "offensive" word or phrase is bleeped from a larger text, the censor is encouraging the audience to actively take part in filling in the blank. Aristotle and his contemporaries called this an enthememe. Well... actually an enthememe had to be a logical proof where one of the premises or the conclusion was missing. The statesman would pose two (or more) elements of a proof that the audience agreed with and then let the audience provide the final piece themselves. Because the audience had part ownership in the missing element they were more emotionally invested in the idea. So by all means, governing bodies and corporate conglomerates, bleep away! 'Cause "we don't need no water let the m***er f***er burn! Burn, m***er f***er! Burn!" “The man” is very stupid.

Essentially when an “offensive” word or phrase is bleeped from a larger text, the censor is encouraging the audience to actively take part in filling in the blank.

Aristotle and his contemporaries called this an enthememe. Well… actually an enthememe had to be a logical proof where one of the premises or the conclusion was missing. The statesman would pose two (or more) elements of a proof that the audience agreed with and then let the audience provide the final piece themselves. Because the audience had part ownership in the missing element they were more emotionally invested in the idea.

So by all means, governing bodies and corporate conglomerates, bleep away! ‘Cause “we don’t need no water let the m***er f***er burn! Burn, m***er f***er! Burn!”

]]> By: Felton http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751993 Felton Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751993 Maybe it let "dick" through because it's a common name. Hell, our last vice president was a dick. That is, his <i>name</i> was Dick. ;-) Maybe it let “dick” through because it’s a common name. Hell, our last vice president was a dick. That is, his name was Dick. ;-)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-755577 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-755577 I cancelled my Flickr Pro account because in Germany you are now not allowed to view nudity (which is legal), but Nazi symbols (which aren't). I cancelled my Flickr Pro account because in Germany you are now not
allowed to view nudity (which is legal), but Nazi symbols (which aren’t).

]]> By: Ryanwoofs http://boingboing.net/2010/04/04/ibooks-censortron-do.html#comment-751996 Ryanwoofs Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-751996 The question is, who did the censoring? Is the seller responsible for writing the blurb and if so, did Project Gutenberg self-censor? Or does Apple apply a "naughty word" filter on all blurbs? Any other uses of "sperm" in other blurbs censored out? Nevermind, I just searched on "sperm" in the App Store, and got results for S***m Killer, iCount (S***m), and oddly, iSperm. A filter, but apparently not entirely effective. Stupid. The question is, who did the censoring? Is the seller responsible for writing the blurb and if so, did Project Gutenberg self-censor? Or does Apple apply a “naughty word” filter on all blurbs? Any other uses of “sperm” in other blurbs censored out?

Nevermind, I just searched on “sperm” in the App Store, and got results for S***m Killer, iCount (S***m), and oddly, iSperm. A filter, but apparently not entirely effective. Stupid.

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