What is the point of NSFW tags?

[Thurlor]

I have never been able to understand the point of NSFW tags in any situation outside of working with children.

What does it even mean? Does something have to be illegal to be classified as NSFW?

Let's use pornography as an example. How does it cause harm to anybody if they see it in passing? Surely adults have the ability to ignore that which they don't like.

Maybe I am too combative and/or contrary.

Can anybody enlighten me to the actual purpose of NSFW tags?

 

[Cognisant]

Well if you work in an office there's sometimes periods of downtime, especially if you're in a support role or there's bureaucracy that means you can only do the thing once you get the form with all the requisite signatures.

During this downtime people will check news sites, facebook, reddit, etc, and since they're using their workplace's internet every page they go to is tracked, which can result in a rather embarrassing HR meeting if for example you go on a forum and accidentally stumble into a thread containing porn.

 

[Thurlor]

But why would HR care?

 

[Cognisant]

Well... are you familiar with the dementors from Harry Potter novels?

 

[Hadoblado]

Would you watch porn with your grandma?

(please say no)

 

[washti]

in workplace you are expected to be focused on your job related tasks not spending your employer resources on sexually arousing yourself.

 

[Ex-User (14663)]

I assume it's to let people know that if that stuff shows up on your screen (let's say, a pair of huge tits), everyone will know that you're not working

 

[Thurlor]

So, chatting or browsing social media (neither of which are work) are also frowned upon to the same extent?

I don't think the issue is sexual arousal as I have seen the NSFW tag appear with content that is not sexually arousing at all. Besides, why ban the content that causes sexual arousal? Wouldn't that lead to a ban on any clothing that anyone in the workplace happens to find arousing?

What is wrong with a 'huge pair of tits' on the screen? It's not as though seeing an image in passing could cause someone harm. If it is just an issue of the potential viewer disliking the content then would my dislikes be taken into account as well?

 

[Cognisant]

Wouldn't that lead to a ban on any clothing that anyone in the workplace happens to find arousing?

That too is banned.

There's a certain conservatism that pervades office environments because people have to work with each other all day, every day, doing boring/stressful work, which tends to create a toxic environment even before you factor in the social hierarchy that can affect who gets promoted or fired when circumstances change. So if you're working in an office you really don't want to offend anyone and this isn't just limited to NSFW content on your screen, you're often not allowed to swear, you have to dress professionally and you have to make ongoing efforts to socialize with your colleagues.

 

[redbaron]

so you don't get fired for looking at porn at work

 

[Thurlor]

@Cognisant - So if I were offended by dyed hair would the other workers not dye their hair in an attempt to not offend me? Or is there someone who decides which feelings of offense are justified?

@redbaron - But why do they care? If it is about a loss of productivity I'd assume they would have just as much of an issue with using Social Networks whilst at work.

 

[CatGoddess]

I think @Thurlor is aware of the websites' motivation (keep you from getting into trouble with employers). The question is whether or not that standard is reasonable. If "NSFW" content is labelled such because it's distracting and therefore not good to be watching at work, why aren't shitty flash games, facebook, pewdiepie, etc. not labelled "NSFW"? If it's offensive, isn't that the offendee's problem?

If I walk around wearing a shirt with a provocative image of Marilyn Monroe, for instance, people who get "triggered" are expected to deal with that on their own terms. It only becomes my problem in certain settings, so the question is why it ought to be in the workplace.

 

[redbaron]

maybe ppl just don't wanna see other people's dicks at work?

wow so confusing imo

 

[lightfire]

Wasting time on social media, youtube, or staring at pewdiepie or playng tetris, isn't nsfw because I said so. like that doesn't need any more explanation. If it was dick book, boob tube, or or booby pie, or F***tris YEAH thats nsfw. I am so sleepy goodnight.

 

[Thurlor]

If not wanting to see something at work is all that is required then anyone I work with shouldn't wear corduroy pants or sport a mullet.

This comes back to who decides whether a want is legitimate.

If the argument is one of numbers then in a workplace where the majority of employees are comfortable with viewing porn, porn should be allowed to the same extent as any other non-work related activity. But I get the feeling that a single complaint about work place nudity/porn would have more of an effect than a single complaint about someone's corduroy pants.

 

[lightfire]

did you just compare porn with a mullet and corduroy pants

 

[Polaris]

What if the porn had your daughter or partner in it?

 

[washti]

Standards are determined by labor law in a given country, industry, employer and customs.
People employed in the gossip website browse content typically marked as nsfw as part of their job.
Employees personal preferences concerning dress-code and professional behavior are of low priority.
You can always start business and set your-own rules. Then deal with side-effects if they happen to clash with higher instances.

 

[Minuend]

Why stop with porn? If you take care to clean yourself, there's no reason you shouldn't be allowed to masturbate on your break in your office or break room. Or have a quickie with a cutie coworker. I mean, if hygiene is taken care of, is there really any good reason not to be allowed to? Other than people being uncomfortable?

 

[lightfire]

Yeah but why stop at hygiene you dicktator.

My body should be allowed to weep from the pores, after all it is all natural and btw I should go to work in my birthday suit.

 

[Minuend]

Oh shit, you're right. I apologize for my primitive, offended nature and redact my statement regarding hygiene. People should be allowed not to shower and smell however they like. I mean, if you're offended by someone wearing the t shirt they cum in that morning, that's your emotional, sensitive snow flake problem. This is in fact a free country (countries) where people's sense of offense and discomfort should never interfere with how the individual choose to live their life.

 

[Thurlor]

@lightfire
No, I compared the dislike of porn with the dislike of a mullet or corduroy pants.

@Polaris
I think I'd have to take that up with my daughter or partner.

@Minuend
I can't really see a reason why any of that would be a problem. If the co-worker is a consenting adult what is the problem?


I'm not sure there is any reason to continue with this. I think people just dislike porn/nudity (in the company of others). Thanks to all for the input.