OK, mildly contrived and technically inaccurate subject title I know.
Personally, I think that a recent ODS posting of the sexy/salacious/glamourous/disgraceful/beautiful/morally corrupting image* is one of the best things that's happened across the U101 presentations to date.
The debate that it has sparked is fantastic and has led to some really interesting drifts in the discussion to new areas that are so relevant in today's complex society and which, as design and creative thinkers, I believe we absolutely have to engage with.
We're seeing argument on issues such as censorship, morality, aesthetics, social and cultural responsibility, tolerance (or lack of) and the questioning of whether the OU or 'someone' ought to be exercising some sort of tangible control of events.
I must congratulate all parties for their contributions, which in my view are helping to guide the discussions away from the initial moral outrage as evinced by the 'Disgusted of Tonbridge Wells' sort of response into something rather more considered and nuanced.
My own view (which I'll repeat here) is that had there been a proscriptive policy in place that would have prevented the posting of the original image, then we'd all suffer a credibility issue - students, tutors and beyond. The U101's nascent reputation as a worthy and serious creative thinking degree level course can only be enhanced if it's clear to all that we believe that we encourage debate, that we challenge ideas, that we are prepared to discuss complex and potentially contentious issues as mature, open-minded members of society.
Or we could simply talk about bananas.
*It was an image of a women in a skimpy 'bathing suit'.
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I can fully understand that you wouldn't want to stifle people by having too many 'rules', but - as in the example you're referring to - I can only hope that the student who uploaded that image has a thick enough skin to not let the reaction put them off continuing with the course.
it would all bounce off some people, and/or they'd be willing and able to stand up for themselves; but a lot of people really wouldn't want to be in the thick of any controversy - a controversy they may not have anticipated given there were no guidelines.
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Appreciate your concern, and contributions Jeremy. Behind the scenes I've made reassurances to the student and we've had a fascinating discussion. Actually, he has a very interesting tale to tell, of which I can say no more at the moment. It's a good one.New comment
good-o; I assumed you'd have been in contact with him, but it wasn't my place to ask, so I didn't.