I recently had a conversation with a City Worker about the copyright rules for the Face Factory. As it turns out, Akbar no longer accepts any parts that are under copyright by other companies. For example, Elmo is owned by Sesame Street and PBS.
You see, City Workers have ultimate control over every single part in Akbar's. They may revoke a part completely from sale if they choose to. For example, if a part is approved, then later seen as offensive, City Workers may choose to take it off the shelves, never to be seen again.
So, if City Workers have this ultimate power, why don't they use it to take all of the copyrighted items out of Akbar's? (I'm not saying I think this should happen, it was simply a question I asked.) It would make sense. I mean, Numedeon (the company that owns Whyville) could be sued for infringing on copyright laws by having copyrighted items on their site without permission by the original owner. Why should they risk such a thing happening?
Take a look at all of the copyrighted parts in Akbar's. Heart-O-Grams, Skate logos, Sports team logos, brand-name dolls, even slogans such as "Got Milk?"!
I never did get an answer to why City Workers are willing to run the risk of a possible lawsuit, but it did leave me with another question. Following up on what I see as "risky parts" in Akbar's, I asked "If Whyville is supposed to be non-political, why do CWs allow Anarchy signs to be put up for sale in Akbar's?"
Anarchy signs, as many will know, are a popular item in Whyville. But you'd be surprised to see just how many
people have no clue what the sign stands for, let alone what the word "anarchy" means. As of the time I'm writing
this (10:02 p.m., April 28, 2004) there are 40 Anarchy signs in Akbar's. Pink, red, black, on skateboards,
shirts, there's even one on eye-makeup! I doubt the makers actually know what anarchy is.
Here is the definition of the word:
Anarchy- noun, 1. Absence of any form of political authority. 2. Political disorder and confusion. 3.
Absence of any cohesive principle, such as a common standard or purpose.
By wearing the anarchy sign, I believe you are supporting the deconstruction of governmental control in its
entirety. Whether you consider this to be right or wrong is a result of your own beliefs and values. But for the
sake of a relatively short article, let us move on.
If Whyville won't let us have signs such as, "I'm A Dork!" why do they let us promote Anarchy by wearing the
sign? This is another question left unanswered by the City Worker whom I conversed with. If Whyville is so
protective of its citizens, why do they allow us to support the wish of a total absence of "political authority"?
Also, isn't Whyville supposed to be non-political, thusly unbiased? If anarchy directly deals with politics,
which it does, than Whyville has failed at being non-political. This, however, can be viewed positvely or
negatively.
On the positive side, Whyville has finally stated a concrete belief. Something it has avoided for years. This is,
of course, with the exception of its own self-imposed moral, "The Whyville Way". This belief would be that
citizens are allowed to support a politcal system that opposes political systems. (Haha!) So, in a way, Whyville
is slowly becoming a more opinionated place. (ex: This article, in my opinion.) I would consider this to be a
positive thing.
Negatively, Whyville is allowing itself to be connected with a belief that the destruction of government is okay.
Supporting anarchy. If this is the choice that has been made, I respect it. But, that does not mean that I agree
with it. My views, however, are not quite as important as the readers', as a reporter's job is to remain unbaised
and show both sides of the story as adequately as possible.
This situation also touches on personal freedoms. The freedom to express oneself through outward appearances is
something that most people fight for without question. To put an anarchy sign on your person is a freedom that
you have here in Whyville. So, the gist of this entire article is simple. Are you willing to fight for this
freedom? Or are you willing to let this freedom go?
Life is about simple choices, that's what it all boils down to. It all just depends on whether or not you're
willing to think enough to make them simple.
"..But it's written in the starlight and on every line on your palm..."
-Cloudy83
Editor's Note: Tell ya one thing -- I don't think Whyville's non-political! My guess is that Akbar's
taken the practical route when it comes to anarchy signs. As you say, not many people know what it means, and I
doubt they'd agree with it -- they just like the style and perhaps a general sense of rebelliousness that it
evokes. That's okay, isn't it? And even if they believe in a state of lawlessness, they have the right to do so.
No doubt Akbar would allow a tasteful, well-designed Democratic or Republican symbol through. In any case,
Whyville never supports an individual political idea over another, aside from your basic democratic ideals over,
say, despotism. :)
As for the "I'm a Dork!" signage, I think I can help you with that, as I helped Akbar make that decision. We were
concerned that hackers (well, really password scammers, since there are no real hackers in Whyville) would take
these negative signs and plaster them all over the faces of their victims, thus adding a lot of insult to injury.
We just didn't see the merits of a phrase like that in Whyville, a town that should be open and upbeat for all
kids.
What do you think? Be polite, please -- we only mean the very best for you when we make these calls! Thanks.
On a side note, when was the last Times issue that didn't have some sort of opinion expressed in it? :-) Whyville
is and always will be a highly opinionated place, that's for sure!
