I would consider that an insane move by GS, but not unforseen. I haven't seen an ounce of apology or explanation as to why they feel violence, cursing, and sex in games is fine (and I do too I should add), but it has no place on the site. Of course, they do this to avoid being listed on certain "family friendly" blockers, and for other financial reasons, but the arrogance and the resulting lower tone and childish atmosphere has taken a lot from this site. Your blog was 100% clean, and if someone was offended, they are just offended by LIFE. My advice for those people, is to opt out of what offends them, whether that be this website, gaming... or life.


Fight em Boz, and if you have to go down in flames, make sure you burn the house down with you.

This is the comment I was going to post in that blog: "Wow. Can't believe I just read this. I would expect something like this to be posted on the IGN blogs, but not here." \

Although I was very surprised at the topic of the blog, I didn't expect any negative backlash. After all, you did not use any "bad words" or go into any detail. I would expect young kids reading that blog would not know what you're talking about. You wrote a blog about a subject matter Gamespot would not approve of about as well as you could have.

That's unfortunate. If you like, I can pull up your mod history and send you the contents of the deleted blog so you don't lose all that writing?

I think there is an easy fix to this: Gamespot should allow its members to mark their blogs according to age group. How hard would it be to simply set a button under preferences that will not allow users under a certain age to view our blogs? I realize that enabling this option would limit the number of views we receive, but it would also allow us a little more freedom in choosing what we post.


As far as them asking you to take down the post, I have mixed emotions about it. On the one hand, I could see how some might be offended by it (though I'm not one of them). But on the other, I really believe that as adults, we should be able to express ourselves as we see fit. It's not as if you gave people a how-to guide on what you were discussing. I think it was wrong to force you to take it down.


In the end though, it boils down to this: it their house, and therefore it's their rules. Until they can help us establish "mature audiences only" type blogs, this is how it will be.


And just to clarify, when I say "mature audiences only," I'm not talking about being able to post naked pictures or passages from romance novels or anything like that. I'm just saying it would be nice to cuss occasionally, or have the freedom to post something like the one you put up, without the fear of retribution. There would still be rules of course, and what was posted would have to fall within the bounds of reason, but it might just give us a little more freedom to express ourselves.


Sorry for the loss man. That's no bueno.

Well you were flirting with explicit content, but the blog itself was surprisingly tame. I'm especially biased in that I would love to see more blogs along those lines, so I do think they were a little over zealous. The truth is that there was no erotic description and no pics beyond picture of products you would find at most Wal Marts.

Other than the subject itself (and any connotations that might spring up from it) I felt it was quite tame and almost clinical in its description of the various products. If you had a lot of innuendo along the way, maybe I could understand its removal, but who knows.

Then again, most of my moderations have been for sexually charged sentences, so maybe I'm not one to comment.

I can't say that I read up on your censored blog post...Seems as though your blog was removed for sexual explicit content (whatever the level may be), even though it's okay for Gamespot to post a game clip that has, we'll say, crude language and brief nudity: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6209516.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=hot-stories&tag=hot-stories;title;1

If Gamespot can post that video clip, I see no reason as to why people cannot post blogs that have some sort of "sexual explicit content" to a degree - no pic, links, graphic details and such things on the middle to hardcore end of the spectrum.

I was surprised at the video clip of Duke Nukem Forever, for having the crude language and some nudity being allowed to be viewed on Gamespot. I thought something like that would be shunned here due to young kids having access to this site. I understand that games and real life are different, but most parents aren't going to want their little kids to be able to view things like this on a site they feel is pretty safe for them to cruise around on.

I thought it was a pretty interesting article for what it was. That being said, however, I can understand that people wouldnt want their kids, who are possibly 13 or 14, and on a videogame site, stumbling across a blog about personal lubricants?

Well, GS has the legal right to remove any content from their website. I don't think protesting is going to get you anywhere. It's about PR though, not really about taste or value. The ironic part though, is that while your blog was taken down, I am currently noticing the ad to the right of this entry features a robotic boob and pretty much nothing else.

@EarthThatWas, if I had the option you describe, it doesn't matter what I write about I would mark it as adult only. I could be talking about pong and I would mark it as adult only.

When I first saw your blog I was surprised but after having read it, I realized that it wasn't salacious - just educational. I don't think it was inappropriate for a 13+ audience and someone would have to search out your blog, it wasn't in the spotlight. I hate censorship of any sort. Sorry about that.

@grigjd3: Good point. I guess they could set it up so you could mark the option on a blog by blog basis. They do it with the vids, why not the blogs as well?

It is unfortunate that your humorous and educational blog touched on a subject that you could read about on Wikipedia or about.com but for some reason not be condoned on this site. Hope it goes well for you.

@EarthThatWas, thinking about it, I wish I had that option now.

@grigjd3: Me too.

Disappointed but not surprised. Although I do find it a bit amusing that it was labeled as "sexually explicit" since it was entirely contextual and except for the nature and purpose of the products there was nothing sexually explicit about your writing at all.

Personally I would deem it a higher age bracket though. Not to say that young teenagers don't engage in sex but rather the subject itself seemed more suitable for an older audience. One that understands loving relationships rather than casual encounters and can approach sexual topics with a more mature understanding.

The bodies of teens might fired up and raring to go but the mental maturity definitely isn't there. No disrespect to younger readers - just a matter of opinion from an old fart.

Although I am pretty bummed I won't get to be able to reference it again later. I was looking forward to that.

Wow... I just noticed your new emblem.. that stamp you as remarkable and then censor you... way to go GS!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to read it. I was going to read it later, after I've turned in the research paper I had due today. It was about personal lubricants, right? I skimmed through it, but didn't get to read it all because it was fairly long and I was short on time. Sure, given the nature of the product it isn't completely surprising, but I think that this is more proof that GS is a tad too anal about protecting younger users. I remember reading your article about your...eheh, "down there procedure" and it wasn't that bad, so I know this article couldn't have been THAT explicit.

Gamespot needs to relax a bit. If you were going into explicit details about how to USE the lube then yeah, it should have been censored, but not just merely recommending certain lubes over others.

I didn't think it was inappropriate at all, you made no sexually explicit claims in the post that I remember. I don't even remember any sexual innuendos... in the comments from others maybe, but not in the post itself.

And honestly, when I was reading the post I thought your interest in the subject matter had more to do with the fact you have 3 tots and are probably using products like that everyday, rather than what someone might do with said product in their alone time.

I think we should have an option to tag the blog as mature content as we do in the videos...

You don't have to go any further than "We are CBS"

My thoughts are, disappointed but not surprised. Some comments were far more explicit than your blog though and frankly, if they had to remove your blog for sexual content, I'm amazed they didn't smack a bunch of us commenters with moderations as well.

Uh-oh. I probably shouldn't have suggested that.

I don't think your blog was inappropriate for 13-year olds, but I agree with Smoov that it probably just wouldn't be very relevant to them. I don't recall there being a lot of interest in learning about personal lubricants among my peers when I was that age.

Gamespot's site, so Gamespot's rules apply. I would like to see them be more consistent though. If that blog wasn't okay, then how come sexual-themed videos like the one neatfeatguy linked to are allowed? Either blanket-censor everything, or don't touch anything. This seemingly inconsistent case-by-case basis is frustrating. I want to know where the line is, but every time I look for it it has been moved again.

I can't believe GS would be so anal (pun!) about such a tame post, but I guess it's a bit of a slippery (double pun!) slope.
-
Seriously though, GS is out of line here. It certainly wasn't any worse than what you can find on network TV (*cough*CBS*cough*) after 8pm.

Ugh, its pretty pathetic when an article with barely sexual references is taken down. Western Society needs to look down in the shower a bit more if you ask me. Honestly its mind boggling. And considering the vacuum of thought the Gamespot blogs have become over the past 18 months with most of our writing friends leaving, I think its a pretty dumb move.

I wondered why I couldn't read your blog on my tracked list. I thought it was a server issue.

I'm a self proclaimed "pot-stirrer" and therefore enjoy a little drama. You have my curiousity peaked.

Shame I can't read your thoughts on lubricant . . . or maybe I can? You let me know.

We all know that sex is much worse than violence. If I punch someone in the face I'll get a much less severe punishment than if I had flashed them with my willy.

What?? I never thought it it as being sexual at all. Personal Lubricant doesn't mean 'sexual' but like it says; "PERSONAL"

I know I had to use it when I played sports at times (when you play a lot, you might need it so you don't get burned). I can see how it could be seen as but you never brought that up or even gave the idea of it being about sex I don't get it...

I'm not sure what to do with that blog. If I knew that your blog was available only to those on your friends list, and all of your friends are 13+, then it seems the GS response was a bit harsh. On the other hand, if your blog is available for all to see, then I understand their response.

Haha I thought it was a little odd at first, but educational and fun as a whole. I'm not in the demographic they are concerned about though, so my opinion means nothing.

As everyone else has said it's disappointing but not a surprise. The real thing that sucks is the inconsistency. But thank God it's there or I would've been banned many years ago.

I didn't read it (never needed anything like that... I'll just stop right there), but my first thought upon seeing the title was "Um... is he going to get away with it?" Upon seeing the title of this blog, I guess not...

What I'd be curious about is: who reported it, and why? It seems like a very petty thing to do (if you don't like it, just stop reading).

A shame I didn't get to read it. Generally though any of your blogs that may deal with more mature subject matter tend to be written with thought to who may be reading, so that mature readers can infer the contents without offending younger readers.

Unfortunately I didn't get to read it beforehand.

[This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

@ChiliDragon, I'll bet that on this, the line depends on what gets reported. Boz here has one of the higher traffic blogs, meaning there are more people who read it and thus more who get offended by things. I personally never ran across the video you mention.

@grigjd3
"the line depends on what gets reported"

That is both perfectly understandable and perversely wrong.

Yep.

I didn't get to read the article before it was taken down, I'm afraid, but I think I get the jist of it. While I might agree with it being taken down - although if it were written tastefully enough, I would change that opinion - I don't agree with the removal of Moderator status. When I was a Moderator I broke the TOS plenty of times, occassionally being given PM rebukes by the forum Administrators, yet my title was never revoked. It was in Off Topic, even - a public discussion board, rather than my own personal blog.

You're a top poster, in my humble opinion. To clip your wings thusly is a disgrace.

You could say to hell with Gamespot like I did, and go write your excellent blogs on GiantBomb or somewhere else. You could definitely write for Gamerswithjobs.com as well. GS is a shell of its former self.

no warning at all? how rude. if they plan on deleting something at least give you a friggin' warning instead of deleting it and taking away your mod status. it shows how much GS cares about their members. their censoring of normal words like "class" and "style" is also incredibly laughable. even i'm losing my patience with their overzealous censorship.

Well, back from my 2 day suspension for my comment responding to Allicrombie... and I find things HAVE changed! After all, CNET has been purchased by CBS, and that should be fun to watch. I suppose I'll restate in a very careful way, my original post which was deemed to be mere "trolling".

@Alliecrombie: I don't accept the validity of the "13-14" year olf argument. Such a concept isn't consistant with other content on this site, such as the DNF video with the topless dancer. It has been my (continued) experience, as a result of which I have registered compaints through the CIR system on GS... that truly nasty, bigoted, or just subtle TOS violations are ignored or go unreported (and therefore unmoderated), while an informative and well-written BLOG, such as Boz's, is always subject to extreme overreaction (I'd give examples, but oddly enough "reposting" them WOULD get modded lol).

Given then, that this is already not a "child friendly" site, and given that any 13-14 year old already knows all about "personal lubricants", who is being protected? I find it... hypocritical and unfortunate, that a site that gives itself every liberty it chooses, would demote another sorely needed moderator for the content of his/her blog.

@ChiliDragon: Not Gamespot's... CNET's... and not theirs anymore, CBS'. I would expect a more consistant, but more rigid moderation policy once CBS starts to (inevitably) shift their own higher level IT staff into non editorial positions (read: admins) here. That takes time, since CBS usually likes to let contracts expire and people leave on their own rather than fire, but on the bright side, they are far more responsive to negative feedback than CNET. CBS will focus intently on advertising, using their current online/tv/radio advertiser infrastructure to streamline the "google ads" run Gamespot.


@Light_Bahamut: Since Kasavin it got bad... since Gerstmann left it's just laughable most of the time. News stories are sometimes a month behind, reviews are less reliable across the board, and Meta scores are making single-site reviews less relevant anyhow. For me, I've been here, paying, since 2002. They lost me a few months ago,


The takeaway lesson here, is that if you want to apply the kind of pressure a consumer can, you don't have to try and hunt for someone at CNET who seems to care about keeping their job. CBS is brick&morter... and pressure on them is going to be shunted directly to CNET, assuming CNET is around that long.... it's not exactly a merger is it? If CBS feels they can squeeze one more dime out of Gamespot (and they can), they're not going to let the place be run like some random Internet Forum. I can live with stricter rules... as some have said, their site, their rules... however, the hypocrisy, inconsistancy, and reliance of the personal judgement of (mostly) unpaid mods who's only real perks are.. modding... and being known as a GS mod. That is ALWAYS a recipe for abuse of power... the more limited the power, the more isolated, and the more people can't exercise real power in life... the more petty powers are abused. If users don't make the choice to speak up, nothing changes.


Gamespot has explained that unlike every other major online company, email filters baffle their systems, so they use other means of reporting issues. Granted, if you've been suspended, you can't msg people hmmm... and phone numbers (while easy to find) are pretty much useless. Fortunatly, GS has this form, which I'm sure they meant to be easy to find. As a service, and to make sure that no one else is subject to a mod or admin abusing their power and position, simply register your compaints, POLITELY, here. http://gamespot.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/gamespot.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php

Totally lame, man. I completely agree with Earth: GS NEEDS to add an option where we can set a rating for our posts. For lack of a better suggestion, take the system they use on Newgrounds. Add functionality like that, and everything should be smooth sailing. And personally, I think your post was great. And if seriously think that is was bad, maybe they really need to look around the internet more.. Just look at YTMND, Something Awful, and if you're feeling particularly jaunty, mistype something on Google. And just to test things... Let's see if I get into trouble for this: http://cockthirsty.com/ Trust me, it's not porn. (Image spoiler, it's a Rooster drinking a soda)

I am not surprised it was removed Boz, but I am a little disappointed.

TBH though, I would question its relevance on a gaming site. Still, this is your personal blog page so IMO you should be allowed to post what you like here (obviously within the realms of decency)

Like many others here, it is a shame that you can't mark your blogs for a specific audience. On another note, wouldn't someone have to complain about your Blog for it to be removed? Perhaps you could mark it as "Friends Only" or put a disclaimer at the top of it?

I am really sad that U lost Ur MOD Status, They could have given a Warning

I agree with all the others that RATING SYSTEM BLOG should be introduced on GS That's Why I love Blogging on Game Trailers, that i9s a freakin best site for Blogging, That allows U everything U wanna say, only that U shouldn't insult other user, adult content if needed in blogging can also be posted but you will have to give a code before that

REALLY SORRY 4 U MAN

Oh, now my curiosity is peeked. I don't suppose there is any way you could PM me the original article?

I haven't read it but I have enough trust in you to know that it had probably no potential to damage our youths.

However, I just wanted to thank you for your last comment in my blog in which you said that I should continue writing entries. Maybe I'll start again.

Dang... I totally wished I had seen some 'sexually explicit content' coming from you. Maybe it might have been worth reading.

Joking. Joking. Man, that sucks. Would I be able to read it on your other blogs?

Missed that blog, but like anyone who has read any of your blogs, I bet on it being presented in an appropriate and mature way, even if the subject was dicey.

Well, this is an interesting note... I vanish for almost a year, and they do weird things to the Boz, who I always considered one of the best writers on the site. Looks like I got a bit of back-reading to do... looks like the triumvirate of offspring is doing well, going by the banner. Hope aside from that, all else is well with you.

Can't say I'm surprised. I hate to say it, but GS has really gone downhill. /me prepares to be moderated for stating an opinion.