5. China: Game Consoles
Most game consoles are made in China and Chinese prisoners are often forced to play World of Warcraft so the government can collect their loot and sell it to other players, which is why it seems so utterly bizarre that China doesn’t allow the sale of gaming consoles. The ban took place back in 2000, when the government expressed its concern that the country’s youth would waste their time playing games instead of working. Even so, gamers are still permitted to buy non-console games, making the ban notably ineffective –which is probably why it is not extensively enforced.
4. Greece: Video Games
China’s not the only country to ban video games. Greece did too, although for a much different reason. In 2002, the government tried to crack down on electric gambling machines, but their legislators wrote the law so broadly that it managed to cover all forms of electronic gaming machines –meaning all video games. Amazingly, someone was even caught and arrested for violating the poorly written law by playing an MMO in an internet café. They were actually forced to serve time in prison for playing games.
Fortunately, after receiving pressure from the EU and video gamers everywhere, the law was found to be unconstitutional by the end of the year.
3. China: Avatar in 2D
While the army in Avatar is undoubtedly American, the idea of people siding with an indigenous population against an imperialistic force is something that China was not comfortable with. That’s why shortly after the release of the movie in China, the authorities decided the movie could only be shown in 3D. Since there are very few 3D theaters in China, the move was effectively a ban on the film.
2. Russia: Emo Clothing
Plenty of people don’t like emo fashion, but while it’s not that weird for a parent to tell their kids they can’t wear that crap outside the house, it’s entirely different when the whole government takes such a drastic stand. When the Russian government was trying to stop high suicide rates amongst teens though, they decided emo fashion were to blame.
The government went so far as to dub the style “a threat to national stability” before banning people from wearing emo clothing to public schools or government buildings. Don’t worry sullen teens of Russia, you can still listen to all the forlorn emo music you want, you just can’t dress like you listen to it.
1. Saudi Arabia: Valentine’s Day
Similarly, Saudi Arabia finds Valentine’s Day to be in violation of Muslim beliefs. In order to ensure residents don’t secretly send gifts to their Valentine’s, the government orders all florists and gift shops to remove anything red or otherwise considered to be a symbol of romance prior to the holiday. Apparently the ban on the holiday isn’t entirely successful and the country now has a thriving Valentine’s Day black m
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