Inconsistent Linden Lab censor can't make up his mind
by Pixeleen Mistral, National Affairs desk
Orion Shamroy was surprised earlier this week to learn that all of his XStreet offerings had been pulled by Linden Lab for a ToS violation - using the word “ass” in the product description. But as of this writing, “Bukkake Sperm Sex Ass Arsch” underpants were not categorized as mature content at the wildly inconsistent virtual storefront.
The Herald was alerted to the issue when Orion called to say,
“Woke up this morning to find that all of my items have been removed from XStreet because the item descriptions contain the word "ass" in an attempt to make them sound more sexy or racy. Certainly not pornographic or "adult" as surely you'd see worse things on MTV or even in any pop song on the radio. Statement thought to be profane was: "Straight from my locker to yo ass! Come on gym rat, show off your hot stuff! You won't help but be noticed wearin this hot jock boy's gear! "”
Could there be a bit of selective - or ineffective - enforcement at work at the Lab’s web-based storefront?
As of this writing, the “Bukkake Sperm Sex Ass Arsch” is prominently featured in the XStreet search results for ass - even when when mature content is disabled. While it is likely that the Bukkake Sperm Sex Ass Arsch is an important accessory for certain virtual lifestyles, we wonder if it might be considered a bit more mature than Orion’s offerings. Consistency has never been a hallmark of Linden Lab, however.
Also returned from the search was Starofthesun Criss’s "LimpBizt- Break Stuff" gesture with the description “I pack a chain saw,I'll skin your ass raw And if my day keeps goin' this way I just might break your fuckin' face tonight!! Give me somethin' to break”.
XStreetSL searches for BDSM and dildo were even more effective at turning up what the Lab presumably would to to sequester in the adults-only section. Could this be a new form of gameplay as players pit the power of the XStreetSL search against the power of the XStreetSL censor?
If the Lab is serious about categorizing XStreet production descriptions by keyword, perhaps they should find a way to enforce this when the product description is first entered and apply better controls to the public search. Or have residents learned how to dance past the controls the Lab is placing on content categorization?
Orion has a lot of updating to do
i received 2 items removed as well -- two spaceships.. for being "kick ass"....
no joke.- really...
c3
Posted by: cube inada | June 04, 2009 at 10:16 AM
So we've gone from a hands-off approach to a total moral panic complete with keystone cop-level bumbling. Wake me up when the pendulum swings back.
Posted by: Susan Tsuki | June 04, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Damn you all to hell.
SL League of Decency Founder, Miss Petunia Amaryllis Courtney Taliaferro, took such umbrage at the vile expression “Bukkake Sperm Sex Ass Arsch” that she spontaneously combusted while standing (and using her laptop simultaneously) on a ladder leaned against her rose-arbor, during an aphid hunt.
You are hereby ordered to appear in the First District Court of Hobo City, where the Herald Editorial Board will make their case before the Magistrate. I believe Pappy Enoch has agreed to represent you in court, since he has a law degree from some school called "The Soggy Bottom Academy of Jurisprudence."
Miss Taliaferro is being treated for third-degree burns to 90% of her body in a ward at St. Lazarus of Many Sores. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent (care of me) to the Expunge-all-Smut Foundation of SL. We, the party of the first part, demand restitution from you, the party of the second part, in the form of 5 bazillion Linden Dollars for pain and suffering as well as for the replacement of the rose arbor in question.
The relations of the incinerated aphids are considering additional legal action. Their attorney, I.M. Bugg, will shortly be in contact with you.
Posted by: Tertullian Blatherskate, Esq., of Blatherskate, Snopes, Gantry, and Blatherskate | June 04, 2009 at 11:03 AM
SILLY
The correct term is 'bottom.'
See how posh that makes you sound? Init?
Posted by: Prof. Archie Lukas | June 04, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Lindens are the only asses allowed on SLX! Get that straight or Ill have to kick your linden.
Posted by: Ajax | June 04, 2009 at 03:06 PM
Give this retard a dictionary.
Sounding like a moron is NOT "edgy" or "hip". It's retarded.
Posted by: blanket | June 04, 2009 at 03:26 PM
nails in the coffin
Posted by: LOL | June 04, 2009 at 03:48 PM
Awwww, poor Miss Petunia. I recently had an aphid problem myself which I wrote about under a psued that I didn't think could be connected with my known identities but it sure is a coincidence that that seldom mentioned aphids come up here of all places. Mine didn't explode though and it's a good thing too, for reasons I won't bother mentioning here.
Posted by: Satan | June 04, 2009 at 04:11 PM
Yes, Satan, we know aphids love to eat certain fresh growing green vegetable-like substances.
Posted by: lol | June 04, 2009 at 09:45 PM
btw real good question here. How come Ajax didn't have the URL stripped out of his comment like everyone else? You know it's been ongoing for like over a month and I haven't seen any other typepad blogs affected by this phenomenon.
Posted by: lol | June 04, 2009 at 09:46 PM
Another clear evidence that virtual communism is alive and well in Second Life. United Sterile Front of purity protectors, feminists, gays and commrads of Linden Lab work day and night to protect us from "bad" language. Excellent.
There is an independent and growing alternative to xstreet - it is called metaLIFE.
Posted by: Luke Termagant | June 05, 2009 at 03:50 AM
slexchange was bad enough when tards ran it, now that its in Linden Lab's hands i wonder if we'llger suspended for activities on xstreet. also wonder if the REAL lindens know wtf these work at home lindens are doin
Posted by: Jumpman Lane | June 05, 2009 at 12:53 PM
gives the LAB a hammer for thoes nails
Posted by: LOL | June 05, 2009 at 04:17 PM
cue tiny insect voice:
"Weeeee plan to sue you, Alphaville Herald, and Linden Lab tooooo! You've not heard the last from Grubb, Mayfly, and...
NOOOOO the sky grows dark! It's the Giant Descending Foot of Doom! It's Marc Kingdon's tassel-loafer!
Think of the murdered larvae! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...."
(squish)
Posted by: I.M. Bugg, Senior Partner at Grubb, Mayfly, and Bugg | June 06, 2009 at 08:33 AM
/me shoves a dainty doily up Miss Petunia Amaryllis Courtney Taliaferro's ASS while she lies in the burn unit at St. Lazarus of Many Sores.
Posted by: Eva Ryan | June 06, 2009 at 07:51 PM
is anyone really surprised about this? LL has been making stupid decisions since the new letter showed up! Like someone brilliantly said the only ASSes on SLX are Lindens. They need their ASSes on there because they where they keep their heads firmly planted.
Soon SL will be a pathetic version of Disney.com.
ADULT-Not rate PG - don't need an guardian/babysitter or LL to take care of me.
Posted by: NotPGrated | June 17, 2009 at 03:08 PM
The author of this article should note that this censorship has been happening on SLX for years.
My original Quantum Core T-Shirt was described as "bad-ass" and banned until the word was removed.
XstreetSL ItemID=530971
My QHUD listing had to be altered from "kiss you ass goodbye" to "kiss your butt goodbye" to comply with the SLX rules.
XstreetSL ItemID=354824
There is also a JIRA entry about how anal LL are being about my Ass. MISC-2817
Finally there is a $0 free Protest item about cencership that is well worth grabbing. A sex bed designed the Linden Labs specs.
XstreetSL ItemID=1432702
Posted by: Darling Brody | June 29, 2009 at 10:36 AM