Microsoft To Censor on the Fly
I'm sure you've watched G-rated versions of R-rated movies -- the ones where
the curse words are replaced with reasonable facsimiles, like Samuel L. Jackson
calling someone a "mother-loving mother lover" before blasting away.
Microsoft now has a patent that could allow online gaming dialogue to be cleaned
up on the fly -- without need for an expensive Hollywood video and voice
editor.
What has the free speech folks up in arms isn't so much the censorship, but
the fact that the curses are replaced on the fly, and that those listening may
be deceived into thinking those are the real words.
Is this invention a great move toward a more polite society, or an invasion
of our rights? And how would you use such a thing in your home, office, the
subway or maybe a professional football game? Keep it clean and send your answers
to [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on October 22, 2008