During a staff meeting we addressed the issue of people possibly feeling offended by adult content on the boards, now ever since these boards were created we have mantained a rule agains profanity and pornography, and since the administration in the boards changed we have been a little more flexible on the first, and being a little more open minded.

Now, the subject matter in this discussion we had was this picture:

Some people found this offensive and as adult content.

Personally, i don't find this picture offensive nor pornographic, and as one of the mods said, it can even be considered artistic.

Now, to decide what direction to take regarding the content on the boards, we decided to make this poll and let the members speak.

This doesn't mean we will admit pornography on the boards, that's an absolute "NO", the poll's intention is just to know how far can we go in regards of mature content, please take the affore mentioned picture as an example of what we mean by non-offensive content (unless you do find it offensive )

Please vote and let us know.

-Danny

Personally I think the above image, and similar images are all right. I understand how some people can find graphic material offensive, but I personally don't think the above image is one to be considered graphic. As Danny said, pornography is an absolute no, and I agree wholeheartedly with that. There are underage people who browse these forums, they shouldn't be subjected to porn. However, images that may seem slightly revealing, or provocative should be allowed, as long as it doesn't go too far. It's my opinion that worse images can be seen in public, like the beach for example, and even on daytime television.

If it can be seen as artistic then I think it should be allowed. If someone wants to post an image, and they're unsure whether or not it would be appropriate, put "NSFW" (Not Safe For Work) in the topic title, so a moderator can evaluate it before others have the chance to be offended.

While we're on this topic, I know many forums have a "spoiler" button, that makes it so nothing can be seen under that button unless it is clicked. Could something to that effect be implemented here?

I think the above image is fine. I see ads far more lewd than this on my way to school.

Hahaha awesome, a poll!  Well, the only thing is that I'm sure that an overwhelming majority will pick the option "Absolutely, as long as we don't go too far," but this won't tell us what "going too far" exactly means to people here, which I thought was the point .  The thing is that everyone probably has a different definition of what "going too far" means.  I'm sure most people will say that exposed nipples is going too far (obviously), but there may be others who say that an explicit bare bottom is going too far like in that above example.

In any case though, I believe that Kyle's got a good idea here about the spoiler button.  But first, the fact of the matter is that everyone's definition of "porn" and "art" is very subjective, so I'll have to say that standards cannot be made with such terms (art to someone may be porn to another).  In my opinion, the best way to go may be for everyone to have the responsibility of making a better judgment of putting in an NSFW/spoiler tag if they feel someone may be offended with an image they're putting in.  If a mod/admin feels someone probably should have implemented a tag where there wasn't one, a polite reminder PM is probably all that's needed.

Anyway, as for that Megumi pic, I'll again say that it's not porn.  However, I would probably consider an NSFW tag if I were in charge (I still find it a bit weird if we can post pictures like those yet not say the s-word or f-word here ).  Maybe there should have been a poll specifically talking about the picture instead?  The poll asking "should we be more flexible" can be a bit vague if there really isn't a reference point (more flexible than what exactly?).

The question at hand was, is that picture too explicit or not?
I think so far from the feedback we've gotten, that image is all right. So if we were to use images such as that one as a reference for what is and is not acceptable, I'm sure we won't have any issues.

I believe what Danny meant by flexible was, should we allow images like that to be posted, or not.

That's right ^

That's the reason i choose to post that picture Jon, so people can get a definition of what we are talking about.

Yeah, I know what you guys meant by "flexible."  I just thought it was a bit vague of what's meant by "more flexible" (again, more flexible than what?).  I'm guessing you guys meant "more flexible than a no tolerance rule" then?  If so, I didn't know there was a no tolerance rule in effect .

Anyway, my last paragraph in my previous post was my least important one.  My main point is that while it's inevitable for people to have different definitions (of art, porn, and what it means to go "too far"), the best solution I believe would be to implement Kyle's idea no matter what the outcome is.  Even if people say that this picture is acceptable, there may be future postings that further push the envelope and people may have different opinions on yet another picture.  I believe that Kyle's idea will prevent this from happening as it covers a whole lot of subjective gray areas thus allowing a fail safe.

Oh yeah, I want to repeat Kyle's question from before.  Does a spoiler button exist?

Danny, how many people that posted in this topic were guys?

@ Guys of beat+WING- If I posted a picture with a male that has a  huge sexual organ, most of the guys on this forum would be offended. When I go on a thread, I don't want to see a naked girl! Considering that Megumi was probably underage at the time, you can be arrested for sharing child pornography. If you insist on sharing the porn, at least post a link to it!!!

^ah cool, I can use this as an example.  Even if the majority finds the picture acceptable, there may be a little minority who has a problem with it.  By implementing Kyle's idea, we would be able to tell these potential complainers "you didn't have to click on it."  Thus, I believe the spoiler button idea works better than "majority rules."

So, if I were to post a BIG, HUMONGOUS dick, you'd be okay with that!

I'm not going to, but take that into consideration.

Jon, we do not know if SMF supports the spoiler button , we have to wait for Sarah on this.

Unfortunately,"mojority rules" would be the most effective thing, you can't always please everyone, so the whole point for this was to know how everyone felt about it.

@dreamlover: Kannazuki and Ang also voted on this poll, and i'm sorry but your "huge sexual organ" example is out of place, because, tell me how mane sexual organs do you see in that picture above?

I consider THIS to be far more explicit and it's considered a piece of art that's been shown all over the world.

It's the principle. Like I said before, if someone insists on posting it, post alike to it, say it may graphic.

If you were to post a "BIG, HUMONGOUS dick", I wouldn't really care unless there's no reason to post it. That goes for posting a "BIG, HUMONGOUS vagina" as well. As for the picture in question, in America at least, you see pictures like this all the time in magazines and they're not restricted from "minors." Remember, this is the internet and you're bound to see a picture similar or "worse" to this sooner or later. I'm favor of the spoiler idea.

If there was a spoiler button, then I won't have the excuse to say that I saw it against my will.

And Danny, I agree that if a spoiler feature doesn't exist, then majority rules will have to do.  (and if spoiler tags are possible, I can't say that what Kyle proposed may be a practical rule, but it can be encouraged for people to do.)

EDIT: and haha Kam, although I agree with you there, just don't use that as an excuse to put pictures like that here .

I know it's art, but I want to put my say into this.
As long as it's not explicit, it's so-so. I just don't like how nude girls (even if they're covering up) are always considered "art." Look on the cover of a porn magazine (they're alllll over airports if you really can't find one)--the girls tend to be naked or scantily dressed, but they're covering up. But you'd still consider that magazine porn, even if they were all like that (or at least most of the people I know would).
If you MUST post something like that, I can't override the majority rule. But I like Kyle's idea, and I was about to suggest it before I read his post. Don't post it in a , but post something as the thing you click, above the link, etc. saying that some people might not find it appropriate, but there aren't any very graphic images. Or the spoiler idea if that's possible, either way.