[XL Guru]

Hi everybody. Recently I had the privilege of being asked by a moderator to "come up with a rule (in respect of language) that we can apply fairly". After much consideration, I've reached a conclusion in respect of the word "damn" (I know, it's only one of many, yet every 1000-mile journey starts with a single step), namely that posters should not be pulled up for using it. This conclusion is based on the following:

1. In the first 6 pages of a thread entitled "Damn Rednecks", no-one complained about the use of the word as far as I could see (sorry, 6 pages was all I managed to wade through).

2. No dictionary-type resource I checked classed it as vulgar ; one classed it as "may be considered offensive by some people".

3. Said moderator stated "we (the moderators) decided 'loosely' that the site should be 'PG-13' not 'G' or 'PG'. It's in "Gone with the Wind" (rated G) & "Back to the Future" -- several times (rated PG).

4. Personal belief that the vast majority of non-Americans would have no problem with it. Plus, from an American, "someone that gets insulted by the word is way too uptight or prissy for this place".

Thanks for your time ; any feedback? <d&r>

Rgds,
Andy

[Rockn]

So what's the problem? Are we going to go through the same process for every "darn" word someone may find offensive? Kind of a waste of time and effort as you cannot please all people all of the time.

[Infidel_Kastro]

We're adults. If someone cannot tolerate the word "damn", then how are they ever going to get the point I'm making.
Seriously, do we need to be policed like this. The filters take out the "prohibited" words, but anything after that, makes me think that perhaps they simply shouldn't be playing in Civ Deb and should go back to the green rolling hills where fluffy bunnies roam in RANDOM.

[XL Guru]

>> Are we going to go through the same process ...

I was asked by a moderator, so I made a start. I can't say how much progress I'll be able to make.

>> you cannot please
>> all people all of the time.

Totally agree, maybe it can be resolved democratically.

Thanks for your feedback.

Rgds,
Andy

[moonmist]

Originally Posted by Infidel_Kastro

they simply shouldn't be playing in Civ Deb and should go back to the green rolling hills where fluffy bunnies roam in RANDOM.

.......... .................. ..................

[iltos]

you analysis is great, andy, but methinks unnecessary....i agree with IK....there are times when a word that is pretty widely used....like damn...is an effective tool for making a point

in fact, its use is damn near evangelical, isn't it?

[Dude044]

Originally Posted by Infidel_Kastro

We're adults. If someone cannot tolerate the word "damn", then how are they ever going to get the point I'm making.
Seriously, do we need to be policed like this. The filters take out the "prohibited" words, but anything after that, makes me think that perhaps they simply shouldn't be playing in Civ Deb and should go back to the green rolling hills where fluffy bunnies roam in RANDOM.

Damn right Ik

[XL Guru]

>> go back to the green rolling hills where fluffy bunnies roam in RANDOM

Interesting comment, a post in RANDOM entitled "y is the avatar so darn small?? was indeed edited. Objectively, I would have to ask, are different rules in operation for different fora?

Thanks for your feedback.

Rgds,
Andy

[Infidel_Kastro]

Originally Posted by XL Guru

>> go back to the green rolling hills where fluffy bunnies roam in RANDOM

Interesting comment, a post in RANDOM entitled "y is the avatar so darn small?? was indeed edited. Objectively, I would have to ask, are different rules in operation for different fora?

Thanks for your feedback.

Rgds,
Andy

In a nutshell, YES. Different attitudes apply to Civ Deb and Random.
Under random, it says:"Get to know those who make up this community, even if not computer-related.". See conjures up images of roaming hills and the before-mentuioned fluffy bunnies.
Under Civ Deb, it says:"Controversial Topics - Don't enter if you have thin skin!"
This conjures up images of dark, evil, angry, and bitter fluffy bunnies, crawled up in the fetal position after going one on one with me.

[Rockn]

you are a better man than I for even taking it on. We have Angel here to police all of the potty mouths as she is here 24/7 anyway.

Originally Posted by XL Guru

>> Are we going to go through the same process ...

I was asked by a moderator, so I made a start. I can't say how much progress I'll be able to make.

>> you cannot please
>> all people all of the time.

Totally agree, maybe it can be resolved democratically.

Thanks for your feedback.

Rgds,
Andy

[XL Guru]

>> "Under Civ Deb, it says:"Controversial Topics -
>> Don't enter if you have thin skin!"

Thank you for your point. Possibly it was not clear that my conclusion ("posters should not be pulled up for using it") was meant to apply to all fora, in the context of "the site should be 'PG-13". Some at TSG (NB: not just CivDeb) are not adults, feedback will hopefully establish if the word is "too much" for eg: 13 & over. Then again, I may be on a loser to begin with by posting here, ie: unlikely to get feedback from the "more moral" (NB: not a judgement) as they would avoid entering this forum in the first place. (?)

Rgds,
Andy

[linskyjack]

Could your next word to analyze be "leftist"-----

[XL Guru]

>> Could your next word to analyze be "leftist"

Thank you. (a) I dont know how long this one will take (b) politicising the exercise might tangentialise it. Do you have a view on the first word, linskyjack?

Rgds,
Andy

[bassetman]

Originally Posted by XL Guru

Hi everybody. Recently I had the privilege of being asked by a moderator to "come up with a rule (in respect of language) that we can apply fairly". After much consideration, I've reached a conclusion in respect of the word "damn" (I know, it's only one of many, yet every 1000-mile journey starts with a single step), namely that posters should not be pulled up for using it. This conclusion is based on the following:

1. In the first 6 pages of a thread entitled "Damn Rednecks", no-one complained about the use of the word as far as I could see (sorry, 6 pages was all I managed to wade through).

2. No dictionary-type resource I checked classed it as vulgar ; one classed it as "may be considered offensive by some people".

3. Said moderator stated "we (the moderators) decided 'loosely' that the site should be 'PG-13' not 'G' or 'PG'. It's in "Gone with the Wind" (rated G) & "Back to the Future" -- several times (rated PG).

4. Personal belief that the vast majority of non-Americans would have no problem with it. Plus, from an American, "someone that gets insulted by the word is way too uptight or prissy for this place".

Thanks for your time ; any feedback? <d&r>

Rgds,
Andy

I agree with your conclusion!

[poochee]

XL Guru, The only time this word would be offensive the me would be if it was used with "God".