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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439 |
With AnnaStrophic's permission, I start another new thread for the posting of neat non-word-topic stuff that Board members would like to pass along for the delectation of all.  s and  s especially encouraged ! wow
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
I have a non-word discussion subject. Several contributors have felt that Weekly Themes is under-utilized. I respectfully challenge them to supply some samples of the uses they believe can be made of it.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981 |
>Several contributors have felt that Weekly Themes is under-utilized. I respectfully challenge them to supply some samples of the uses they believe can be made of it.
The problem, for me, is that it is at the bottom of the page and I've usually given up by then. I always think that I can leave it for next time and then, the same problem happens.
To be fair to Anu, it is the only place that he posts items for discussion and it seems a shame to make better use of it. He did set up the board, after all. I'm always suprised when I do get to look at it, to see what I have missed.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981 |
On of the things that I find interesting about this board is the opportunity to get an insight into different cultures from the perspective of the people who actually live there, rather than filtered through news media. I loved the moment when Jackie posted that it had never ocurred to her that people in other countries would have any reason to be interested in the election taking place in her country. I also loved it when Jazz asked why the production values of British TV shows were so bad - he got a few shots through the ether but maybe he was right, either way, an honest opinion is worth so much more than the tripe we are fed through the press.
My latest cultural sterotype to bite the dust is that the US cannot cope with sex on TV. I sometimes watch "Sex in the City" (HBO in the US, on our terrestial Channel 4), it deals with taboo
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981 |
One of the things that I find interesting about this board is the opportunity to get an insight into different cultures from the perspective of the people who actually live there, rather than filtered through news media. I loved the moment when Jackie posted that it had never ocurred to her that people in other countries would have any reason to be interested in the election taking place in her country. I also loved it when Jazz asked why the production values of British TV shows were so bad - he got a few shots through the ether but maybe he was right, either way, an honest opinion is worth so much more than the tripe we are fed through the press.
My latest cultural sterotype to bite the dust is that the US cannot cope with sex on TV. I sometimes watch "Sex in the City" (HBO in the US, on our terrestial Channel 4), it deals with taboo subjects in a very amusing way, especially interesting as it from the viewpoint of (over??) sexually liberated women, rather than the usual tacky male sub-porno stuff. It has attempted to discuss some very interesting topics about life and relationships, sadly(???) it is not at all like my life. A couple of weeks ago I videoed the show (it is shown at 10pm) and caught up with it later. I was amazed, even I was (almost) shocked, I certainly made sure that I taped over it, in case the children (10 and 12) saw it by mistake. Like the judge in the Lady Chatterley case, I'm not sure I would allow my servant to see it. So what I want to know, is America getting less prudish, which certainly seems to be the case judging by some episodes of "Friends" (usually shown here at 9pm but sometimes at 6pm). I'm less interested in whether that is good or bad, just whether it is true or not.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
>So what I want to know, is America getting less prudish
our tv and movies are certainly so; but there is also the real possibility of some backlash, what with the 'religious right' having seemingly gotten some renewed stroke as a result of the recent elections....
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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what with the 'religious right' having seemingly gotten some renewed stroke as a result of the recent elections....if we're not careful, we might even wind up with - gasp - prayer in schools being legalized. reminds me of something i read recently, which i thought to be extremely powerful: Dear God,
Why didn't you
save the children
of Littleton School?
Sincerely,
Student
------------
Dear Student,
I am not allowed
in schools.
Sincerely,
God
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981 |
>if we're not careful, we might even wind up with - gasp - prayer in schools being legalized.
Mmmm another strange thing. We have to have prayer in schools. Yes, I know the argument about not having an established church, some schools here break and everyone heads off in different directions to pray to the divine being (if, any) of their choice, it really isn't seen as a big issue
I sometimes wonder if we all had to explain the things that are regarded as "normal" and "problems" in our own countries to a Martian, I wonder if we'd be able to do it.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
I don't think so Jo. I think that values are changing, but it it becoming lower class-- by which i mean, sex is still "dirty", but in lower classes, its not a taboo subject.
[rant]
I do think there still is the victorian/purtian view that sex is dirty-- and middle and upper classes don't speak of it, but its lower classes do. I think most europeans don't think of sex as dirty-- its just an other subject. So, in some european shows, there is nudity that is not neccessarly "sexy"-- some one steps out of a shower, and you see their buttocks-- and then they put on a robe, get dressed, what ever.
In the US, it would be a BIG deal to show someones buttocks, and it would always be the beginning of a sex scene.
Likewise, sex scenes are always "steamy"-- since the whole subject is still slightly taboo-. Even somewhat realistic sit coms about normal married people (I think of "Everyone Loves Raymond" have you seen that?) still try to treat sex between a married couple as "steamy"-- and while it can be, after three children, and two jobs, and life in general, i think for the most part, sex between married couples is pleasurable, comforting, and except for odd vacations, or anniversaries, not steamy. and in Everyone, it "fun" to show the young couple trying to be or find momemts to be "steamy", but Raymonds parents are never shown to have any sex life.. or if it is refered to, it is past tense. "Old couples" can't be steamy, unlike the Britcom--As time goes by, which is about an older couple, who are in love, and do all the things loving couples do.. they are not always presented as "steamy" but are presented as a loving couple..it is not extrordinary that they have sex. That almost never happens on US TV.
Sex in the City in US is a cable show, and in general, all cable shows have "looser rules" (they are not as dependant on advertizing $$'s.)
Through out the US, there is still major opposition to sex educations-- (the thought being if you teach kids about sex, they will want it!) and sex and birth control information. I have no problem in the world teaching abstinence-- i encouraged my children-- but i also taught them, that it was their body-- and their decisions.. and should they chose to act, they should act with knowledge-- and know about sex, (and sexual transmitted diseases) and birth control. When i started giving general information they where in their preteens, by early teen years, i was quite open. My ex though it total irresponsible to teach my children about birthcontrol... they shouldn't have sex was his attitude. (meanwhile, we met when i was 17, and i was living with him by the time we had been going out for 3 months.. so was was good for mommy and daddy was not going to happen to his kids... I really though it stupid!)
I don't know what choices my children made (well i can guess some, since my son lived with his wife for 7 months before they got married) and i really didn't want to know... but i wanted them to make informed choices..
Abortion is still a major issue in this country, and while i think it should exist as a choice, i would much prefer to see all teen (and pre-teens) everywhere educated about sex, and treating it as part of growing up. then teen that want to engage in sex could do so with out needing abortion services. studies show the rate of abortion in US for teens is higher, (as is giving birth) than for most european countries. [/rant]
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981 |
>Through out the US, there is still major opposition to sex education
I'm amazed. My children undertook a major programme of sex education in Primary 5 (8-10 year olds). We, as parents had to go along and watch two videos with them as well as join in a discussion, over two evenings. It was intelligent and caring with all the anatonical explanations. They don't cover the abuse-related subjects until the following year, when there is a full drugs programme too. The programme is run in all the Catholic schools in the area and is highly regarded.
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