Removing underage stories

[Carnivale Ed]

I do keep getting drawn back into this thread, don't I?

I think it's important to say, though, there are really two arguments going on here. The argument in reality and the argument in principle.

The argument in reality is simple. Underage stories make this site a larger target than it might otherwise be, and Jinn is entitled to protect it, and himself, as he sees fit. As erotic_nibbles so ably pointed out, it's not our necks on the line.

For the argument in principle, though:

I do hate to see any sort of limitations placed on creativity or expression. However, I will not miss the "young" stories... they simply aren't my cup of tea and can certainly give our ilk the appearance of true evil (in the bad sort of way)

This, to me, seems a pretty common position on this thread, but one I don't fully understand. It's all just a matter of your point of view. What would a conservative member of the far right, for instance, have to say about almost all of the other stories on this site? I'm guessing he wouldn't care too much if they were all consigned to the digital bonfire. If you can't bring yourself to defend something you personally find objectionable, especially when no one's really being harmed, then how can you expect to be defended in turn if somebody else finds what you enjoy, equally objectionable? Should only the most conservative members of society decide what you and I may or may not read? Should only the least offensive material ever make it to print?

If one of our goals is raising the bar and eliminating the misunderstanding of who we are and what we do, I fully support giving these stories the boot!

This is the BDSM Library. Pursuing that goal may serve the BDSM side of that title, but not the other. As writers and readers, should we not also be concerned with preserving artistic freedom, no matter what the subject matter? Isn't a love of literature, and where it can take us, not also a reason why we're all here? Censorship, even of underage stories, has an implication that extends far beyond the borders of any one community, even a BDSM one.

There's no easy answer here, I know. I guess I just didn't want to go quietly into the night.

CE.