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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Media What Passes For Foul Language at the NYT

Posted by Erica C. Barnett on Tue, Nov 25, 2008 at 1:43 PM

Hey, Dan: The Times and P-I aren't the only papers protecting the children (and their easily offended readers) by avoiding any use of mild profanity. In a story about how credit card companies are marketing their cards to customers, the Gray Lady paraphrased a quote by Def Jam Founder Russell Simmons as follows: "[Def Jam founder Russell] Simmons gave his pitch a bit more zing by suggesting (in terms that can only be paraphrased here) that the card has aphrodisiac properties. The point he was making, however earthily, was that plastic and status are intertwined in contemporary America.

Earthily! "Aphrodisiac effects"! What, in the name of the sweet baby Jesus, did Simmons say? "Use my card, and you'll get shitloads of pussy"? "This card will make the bitches want to fuck you all night long"? "You'll get any piece of ass you want if you sign up now?"

No—actually, what he said was that his card will "get people laid, get them feeling dignity."

The best part—the quote the Times was torturously paraphrasing came from ... The Economist.

Getting laid and dignity—OK for "earthy" black men, not OK for readers of the New York Times.

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I used to subscribe to the P-I and I couldn't help but notice that they actually seemed to have a habit of smuggling in stuff that struck me as not particularly "family friendly"

For example, here you can see the use of the term "camel-toe" when you scroll your mouse over their interactive Strangers-With-Candy promo (scroll down).

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/274…

Posted by northern flicker on November 25, 2008 at 1:56 PM

the NYT takes great delight in elaborately dancing around curse words. does the FCC rule over newspapers? they are "communication".

Posted by Max Solomon on November 25, 2008 at 1:59 PM

They leave the crude stuff to you, because they know that's all you can manage.

Posted by And pls tell Dan to stop writing "ZOMG" on November 25, 2008 at 2:12 PM

you bolded shit already in quotes ECB. You've definitely hit the ceiling on your career.

Posted by Bellevue Ave on November 25, 2008 at 2:13 PM

I'm pretty clear on how to use my credit card to get the one thing, but exactly where can I purchase this "dignity?"

Posted by flamingbanjo on November 25, 2008 at 2:25 PM

Finally a worthy cause for The Stranger: shaming other publications into loosening up on mild profanity. Avengers Assemble!

Posted by Lionel Hutz on November 25, 2008 at 2:27 PM

@6 The Stranger is like TMZ but thinks it has nobler goals.

Posted by Bellevue Ave on November 25, 2008 at 2:42 PM

Unlike you, Erica, I also report abusive and hate language at the WaPo too.

Even when it's a rap lyric.

If you want to read that stuff, stay at the Stranger.

Posted by Will in Seattle on November 25, 2008 at 4:25 PM

I really don't see the purpose of censoring the quotes of people. No matter what they say. What do more progressive countries do? BBC uses "shit" quite often because it is usually integrel to their comedy. I hear "fuck" on IFC. They have even shown nudity and the world hasn't stopped. I wish we'd grow up.

Posted by Vince on November 26, 2008 at 7:15 AM

@9 - I don't disagree with the sentiment, but let's put this in context: is maturity really just defined by being able to hear the words "fuck" or "shit" without puckering one's asshole? That's the key to reaching a higher plane of awareness? Really?

Posted by Lionel Hutz on November 26, 2008 at 8:35 AM

As funny as this is for all of us young urban deviants, let's give the NY Times some credit. They are not a local paper. They are a national paper with subscribers in every state. They have distribution deals with libraries, coffee shops, universities, high schools, etc. and they need to think about the weakest link in this very elaborate web. The thing they want to avoid is to have a small-town high school cancel their Newspapers in the Classroom deal because a bunch of parents with nothing better to do raised a huge fuss about the phrase "get people laid". Lose a Newspapers in the Classroom deal, and you lose hundreds of potential subscribers when these kids become adults, and given the challenges newspapers face all across this country, that's not something they want to risk. It is still funny though, but not as funny as the thought of The Stranger landing a Newspapers in the Classroom deal in Centralia.

Posted by honeyspider on November 26, 2008 at 8:41 AM