(no subject)

[kazari]

Comentary on #amazonfail and why it's probably a trolling organization taking strategic advantage of a badly implemented censorship algorithm. This guy's theories oddly makes sense.

I still don't get why Amazon needs a content filter at all. I've bought naughty things there. There was never any ID checking in the checkout process. Who cares if there's a romance novel in the bestsellers? Books are raunchy. They're more raunchy than TV. And, Amazon sells everything, without actually housing much, if any, content. Even if this code had been properly implemented, what would it have accomplished? To flag as adult any book with adult content? Or worse, anything found inappropriate by someone? That's it. The end. Might as well close the site. If porn sells well, it sells well. What is the nightmare scenario here? A nerdy 12-year-old checks the Amazon bestsellers list and finds out that lots of people like mommy's favorite romance novel too? What? Really, what?

Now, I'm not saying I don't get why people would complain. I get that there are many people out there who find any and all aspects of human sexuality beyond the moment of procreation to be off limits in all regards. But, really. For real, Amazon people. WTF. It's just a damn catalogue.

Comments

[jade-fragment.livejournal.com]

I find it stupidly ironic/hypocritical that you can't search for "dirty books" on amazon.com, but you can buy sex toys with explicit pictures. I mean, honestly? I'd rather see the cover of a supposedly naughty book than the picture of a "realistic pussy sex toy."

[mizuno-caitlin.livejournal.com]

No, yes. I agree. There's no arguing that Amazon fucked up here and fucked up royally. They created a system of censorship that was inconsistent at best. And, obviously, easily exploited to someone's agenda. I just don't get why they need a system of censorship at all or why they thought it would be a good idea. Books and censorship have never been good bedfellows. It's about the easiest thing to oppose out there. "Should we censor/ban books?" "No!"