Following that post on banning Warhammer from last week, look what's just turned up at Slashdot.
A request for details of the web filter that may be introduced in the UK reveals it could also block "esoteric material". What does esoteric mean..?
Choose your dictionary. From the entry at Wiktionary:
- Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, or an enlightened inner circle.
- Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application; often with mystical or religious connotations.
- Confidential; private.
That's pretty open. Could it cover niche interests - like wargaming and roleplaying - not always shown so positively? Or dungeons, dragons and made-up worlds, god-emperors and grimdark sci-fi? Could it just collect them up accidentally? Or not so accidentally..?
That's even before we get to "violent material".
That's even before we get to "violent material".
In fact, it looks like it could be extended to cover any non-mainstream interest. Blocking an interest could mean it vanishes or declines. It could mean whole areas of knowledge being hard to find or access, maybe lost. With a tool like this you could remake a world.
_