Posted: 20^th April 2006

The 'Law'

You know, The Law is a funny thing. I use capitals in that context because 'The Law' is seen as this ephemeral identity, almost a deity that people can call upon whenever they're in need. Person A misbehaves or annoys Person B or does something that's seen as incorrect in Person B's society and then Person B says, 'The Law says that you are guilty' or something like that.

But the question that I pose to you, dear reader, is, just because The Law says this or that, does that make it inviolate? We may apply this conundrum to our recent hulabaloo concerning the new profanity filter. The Law — in this case, the profanity filter — says that a certain word is not permissible on h2g2, or indeed on any of the DNA sites. But because the profanity filter, the mods, whoever, say so, does that mean it's the end of the matter? Some would say so, and have. But can't the law be conditional? Some of us would like to have the filter relaxed for artistic purposes, or in certain situations when what the filter thinks is profanity is really quite innocuous.

But does the real world ever work like that? Take a quick look at the justice system in your country, whatever your country. I'm from the US, but I think that you'll find that, wherever you are, there are laws. These laws say what you can and cannot do. And when you break the laws, you are punished. The police aren't likely to care if your mother is deathly ill and you're rushing to be at her side — they will give you a ticket for speeding nevertheless. Contingency and condition are not things that The Law is terribly good at. But then again, what would be better? A totalitarian state, or one with no laws at all? We need The Law for some things, but I think we'll all find times when it seems so [insert expletive] unnecessary.

And without further ado, now for something completely different: this week's edition of The Post.

echomikeromeo

• 
  The h2g2 Poem
  


'Bleeding Child' by watchfulmriduldas

• 
  An Idyll Too Far
  


Chapter One - A Biology Lesson

• 
  The h2g2 Poem
  


'Wishes' by Len Baynes

• 
  The Caped Confuzzler
  


A sci-fi story by Evangeline and Cal

• 
  The h2g2 Poem
  


'How to Be Profane and Win?' by lil

• 
  Knolly - An African Adventure
  


Anyone for Dennis Part 3

• 
  There's a Doctor at the Gate
  


Part three of Reefgirl's sci-fi fusion

• 
  Platypus Dancing
  


Meanwhile, somewhere this side of the rainbow of reason

• 
  h2g2: Tales of a Newbie
  


Part 13: A Message From Beyond

• 
  Alabaster House Journal
  


Hypatia discusses the profanity filter

• 
  Escape Pod Dreams
  


The 'Don't Play With Your Food!' Issue

• 
  The CAC Continuum
  


The Insert Evil Laugh Here Issue

• 
  Corner of Chaos
  


The Streets - The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living

• 
  Websailor's Wacky Wildlife World
  


Water, water, everywhere...

• 
  Smudger Snippets
  


Belief

• 
  24 Lies a Second
  


Awix discusses Firewall

• 
  First Solo Entries
  


First-time authors get their kudos

• 
  Pilgrimage To The Ozarks
  


Part Three: Through Texas and into New Mexico

• 
  The Virtual Reinhard
  


A Letter from Franz Josef Glacier Part Two

• 
  Hypatia's Grande Tour
  


Part 2: To Everything There Is A Season

• 
  Norton In Australia
  


Cooktown and Darwin

• 
  Quark, Strangeness and Charm
  


Chronomanicmechanic's ramblings continue

• 
  The CAC Interview
  


Eposina takes the stand

• 
  Video Games: Where Are They Going?
  


Too expensive or defunct?

• 
  Without Comment Or Complaint
  


War memories from Ted Inge

• 
  A Stargate Quiz
  


Season 5 Solution

• 
  A Stargate Quiz - Season 6
  


Another set of teasers from Reefgirl

• 
  Announcements
  


Meets, sites, events etc

• 
  The Language Thing
  


Translations and Help

• 
  Classified Ads
  


Advertise your club here

• 
  The Post Page of Links
  


Links to all places h2g2 related