[Doogle]

Is MIA even know in America?

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by ukturtle

Parents of little kids who now are mimicking that gesture care. If my niece or nephew were to start doing that after seeing it I would be very annoyed too.

But why? Why are we all so concerned about some gestures, and, more importantly...the words that they represent?

It's just words. That's all it is, really. Words that have been given some so-called 'bad' meaning. But is it really that bad if someone swears? Not really. Is it the end of the world? Not really. It's only words, I don't see the big problem...I can't fathom why people get so riled up about the use of words. I just...don't understand, cause that's all it is. I don't know how to convey my thoughts any better than by just saying they're just words.

It's just a concept we all seem to have bought into from an early age. That all swear words are 'bad' and we must avoid them like the plague, and it is oh so bad if someone is heard to be saying one, but when you take those connotations away, all you're left with is some letters stuck together that form words like any other. Like clock, kitchen...they could all have supposed 'bad' meanings if we wanted them to, all swear words have derived over time yet we all still seem to buy into the idea that it's such an awful practice. Yet, let's the be honest, the large majority of adults do swear, have sworn, or wouldn't bat an eyelid if they heard people swearing in the street (albeit adults that is, children are 'looked down on' if heard).

I just don't get it. It's such a strange social concept. And there are far worse things going on in the world than the use of strong language...

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Doogle

Is MIA even know in America?

My best friend didn't know who she was at first, then i told her it was the one that sang the "all i wanna do is *gun shot sound* " and she knew who i was talking about. That song was big here.

[Doogle]

Originally Posted by lostalex

My best friend didn't know who she was at first, then i told her it was the one that sang the "all i wanna do is *gun shot sound* " and she knew who i was talking about. That song was big here.

Ah, same with people I know. They only know her for that, so I guess she's as "big" there as she is here.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Jack_

But why? Why are we all so concerned about some gestures, and, more importantly...the words that they represent?

It's just words. That's all it is, really. Words that have been given some so-called 'bad' meaning. But is it really that bad if someone swears? Not really. Is it the end of the world? Not really. It's only words, I don't see the big problem...I can't fathom why people get so riled up about the use of words. I just...don't understand, cause that's all it is. I don't know how to convey my thoughts any better than by just saying they're just words.

It's just a concept we all seem to have bought into from an early age. That all swear words are 'bad' and we must avoid them like the plague, and it is oh so bad if someone is heard to be saying one, but when you take those connotations away, all you're left with is some letters stuck together that form words like any other. Like clock, kitchen...they could all have supposed 'bad' meanings if we wanted them to, all swear words have derived over time yet we all still seem to buy into the idea that it's such an awful practice. Yet, let's the be honest, the large majority of adults do swear, have sworn, or wouldn't bat an eyelid if they heard people swearing in the street (albeit adults that is, children are 'looked down on' if heard).

I just don't get it. It's such a strange social concept. And there are far worse things going on in the world than the use of strong language...

The difference is, this gesture has a negative and rude meaning, one that a lot of people do find offensive. You have kids and then tell me you would be happy for them to see this and start copying this gesture.

And another difference is, yes people may swear in the street etc., but you cannot control that. TV, however, is meant to be suitable for family viewing and is meant to be controlled.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Scott

omg

are you honestly being serious

No, I didn't even realise she did it at first and don't really care anyway now that I do know

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by ukturtle

The difference is, this gesture has a negative and rude meaning, one that a lot of people do find offensive. You have kids and then tell me you would be happy for them to see this and start copying this gesture.

But people shouldn't find it offensive...it doesn't make sense. It's just words. Or finger gestures. Wars, crime and financial crises are happening throughout the world and people can really sit there and be concerned about this? People's human rights are being infringed upon, innocent people being brutally murdered and yet people are really concerned about someone sticking their middle finger up, I mean really?

If and when I have kids, I'll teach them not to swear or use 'rude' finger gestures in public, to teachers or in workplaces as that's the only real thing I can do. If I had a choice, and the rest of society didn't look down upon the use of swearing in the way they do now, as they shouldn't...then I wouldn't need to do that. I wish I wouldn't have to, but I will. But as they'd grow up and mature I'd relay the same beliefs that I have...that really, it's not that important, and that they should be more concerned about the world around them and some of the problems it and they may face, rather than how 'bad' the use of a few words actually are. Which, without me even teaching them, they'll probably learn and realise that themselves as they reach a certain age.

If it were in front of me...well, I have to say I wouldn't really care. If they said they hated me, or something pretty insulting...well that's a problem. But lifting their middle finger up? I don't think so.

Originally Posted by ukturtle

And another difference is, yes people may swear in the street etc., but you cannot control that. TV, however, is meant to be suitable for family viewing and is meant to be controlled.

No, I'm sorry but I completely oppose censorship and control over TV networks.

I'm not entirely familiar with M.I.A's work (apart from that Paper Planes song), but I'm assuming she's not exactly a child friendly artist...and so as such, either the network should have made the decision not to have her perform, in the event of her perhaps doing something they don't agree with or want broadcasted, or...the parents of said children should have realised that again, perhaps the content may not have been suitable for their children, and, well...turned it off.

The responsibility to 'protect' children from content on TV lies with parents, not the broadcaster. There are plenty of ways in which to prevent your children from viewing things you don't want them to, it's pure laziness not to act on those options. Other adults shouldn't be denied the ability to watch whatever content they wish (unless it's illegal of course) at whatever time they like. That's a choice they should make, not a broadcaster, or, inadvertently, the parents who are seemingly so concerned about their children not seeing someone's middle finger.

[nicole_burks]

I was at work so I didn't even get to see the half time show.

And she should have thought about it before she did it. Pretty much all of america was watching this, and parents were going to have their little kids watching it.

But what else do you expect from a Superbowl show?

Honestly, you could barely see it. It was like a split second, and you don't even really see it unless you're looking for it.

[Callum]

Originally Posted by Doogle

Is MIA even know in America?

Yeah, Paper Planes was a huge hit over there. Way bigger than it was in the UK.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

i think paper planes was only big because of slumdog

[LaLaLand]

She does it in the video at the exact same point.

Typical M.I.A, just doesn't give a ****.

Love her, she looked so hot last night also... plus was the only one out of Madge, Nicki and herself to lip-sync in time. Nicki can't even mime her own rap because it's too fast lmao.

[Saph]

some of the comments on here

She only stuck her middle finger up ..its not like she pulled out a dildo and masturbated fgs

[LaLaLand]

& anyway, wasn't M.I.A. censored in the US a few years ago because many thought she was pro-terrorism? Particular during her "Arular" phase with songs like "Bucky Done Gun" and "Galang".

That's what I thought anyway. SO the fact they let her play SUPERBOWL is amazing really.

Anyway, as someone else said - M.I.A. is NOT a child-friendly artist at all and such actions, as "outrageous" as they may be, should have been expected.

[King Gizzard]

Good on her, she's only there once and it's not like she gives a ****, what can they do

[King Gizzard]

and I've found myself strangley attracted to her the past couple of days

[lostalex]

i don't give a crap about flipping the bird, i'm just annoyed that MIA is tryna steal Madonna's thunder, cause Madonna's show really WAS amazing, but now instead of everyone talking about how amazing Madonna was, they're gonna talk about MIA's publicity stunt.

If i was Madonna i'd be annoyed.

[King Gizzard]

She wasn't 'amazing' though, she should be glad this has deflected the attention

[Roy Mars III]

The only thing this will do is help MIA's career in America, everyone is talking about her. A smart woman

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Nathan

She wasn't 'amazing' though, she should be glad this has deflected the attention

don't get me started, don't EVEN get me started.

[SharkAttack]

Originally Posted by GypsyGoth

I think I like her even more now.

Hipster.

[SharkAttack]

Originally Posted by lostalex

If i was Madonna i'd be annoyed.

If I was Madonna I'd probably visit my Money room and roll around in the raw cash for a few hours before lunch.

[Marc]

Oh she's so controversial.. oh my god.. arrest her or something totally extreme

[Marc]

Originally Posted by SharkAttack

If I was Madonna I'd probably visit my Money room and roll around in the raw cash for a few hours before lunch.

omg

[Black Dagger]

Bar Paper Planes which was a ****ing epic song, she's a pointless mess

[rk3388]

It's sad how these "artists" didn't even sing . Anyone could have gone up there and lip synced . Its pathetic. And MIA will never reach her career high wich was paper planes