For clarification on the matter of profanity

Dylflon · 02-05-2006, 06:34 PM

So many should remember the recent removal of the thread with that Nintendo parody video. It wasn't destroyed but rather moved to the think tank.

Now I will admit I made a bit of a fuss. I'd like to explain why.

For one, the video only contained a couple of swear words. There have been many videos linked to on this site which have had far more swearing. So this one being a big deal seemed somewhat random to me.

I simply believed our Professor was just trying to flex his muscles a little.

Now, I'm sure everyone here is aware that there is swearing on these inter-nets that we are so intent on surfing. I don't believe it is anyone on this site's job to protect members from the profanity out there. Especially considering that I doubt any of us need protecting.

I understand that there are rules, and I respect that. But why randomly censor a very funny video because it had a couple of curses? The only other thread I can remember being censored like this was one I posted some time ago which contained a video of some guy's crazy mom flipping out on him. That one dropped the F-bomb constantly so I can understand why it was censored.

But my main concern is as follows:

Are we not able to post links to any site that contains swearing in text or contatins videos with swearing? Why limit what non-pornographic entertainment we are allowed to share with eachother on this forum? Would the thread have been closed if it linked to the website that contained the video rather than the video itself? If it's not pornographic or excessive, what's the big deal?

Typhoid · 02-05-2006, 08:02 PM

Teh interwebs are serious business.

KillerGremlin · 02-05-2006, 08:11 PM

I still enjoy how you guys have so aptly chosen to censor "****" (the f-word) but not "nigger."

If you are going about censoring words we all know, you might as well compile a huge list and block them all.

More so, I'm fascinated that our society never flinches at the sight of "f*ck."

Apparently, no one ever thought of inserting a "u."

And even more so, I'm amazed that edited music still exists, because, frankly, if you can't fill in the blanks, you aren’t proficient at the English language. And if you aren’t proficient at English, the lyrics are meaningless to you in the first place.

I’m not angry though, I think it’s hilarious. I guess it's just common insecurity. People feel better when they see f*ck instead of the uncensored word. And likewise, people feel better when they hear "mother fu-scratchout," in place of the full spoken phrase.

Delete threads! Close posts! It's a privately owned board, do what you will. I'm really indifferent, just mildly intrigued.

Just like when I turn on a rap station and hear "shi...edit" or "mother fu...edit."

I'd rather let my kids hear the full thing. Music = art (at least good music, anyway, but that's a subjective thing). Swearing has great presence in entertainment.

Edit: buuuuuuuuut....ultimately, censoring stuff is better for a message board, even racey threads, just because it makes everyone happy. it's not like you don't have google or private messages. about half the message boards i’ve been to have had censoring, and it seems to be just as successful as the boards without it.

MrCoffee · 02-05-2006, 08:57 PM

see i have no problem with swearing when im around, although if I were like 28, 29, married and had kids running around then i wud be want it all gone, because even though i will act differently around different groups of people im the same person, so in the end it comes down to the community, what do you want to be? do you want to be a all around frienly forum that any kid can login to and not worry about getting introuble when his parents stand behind him and watch without his knowledge? Personally I would enjoy very much a community i could recommend to my friends and there siblings, and my siblings, and cousins who are younger then me but crazy for gamecube :P

Jason1 · 02-05-2006, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillerGremlin

I still enjoy how you guys have so aptly chosen to censor "****" (the f-word) but not "nigger."

nigger isnt really a swear word. I mean, its said on TV all the time. I dont really understand the TV's censorships, actually. You can say stuff like bitch and ass, but you cant say ****. **** has got to be the most censored word on TV.

Typhoid · 02-05-2006, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason1

nigger isnt really a swear word. I mean, its said on TV all the time. I dont really understand the TV's censorships, actually. You can say stuff like bitch and ass, but you cant say ****. **** has got to be the most censored word on TV.

I've never seen nigger said on TV before. However, I've seen ****, **** and **** said on TV before.

Teuthida · 02-05-2006, 11:56 PM

Obviously never saw Chappelle's Show.

But as for this site I consider that far more harsh than f*ck given what context can be used in.

Swan · 02-06-2006, 12:35 AM

I've always found it odd when they bleep out God Damn it....and the only part bleeped is God.

I can sort of see where they are coming from...but still

Typhoid · 02-06-2006, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swan

I've always found it odd when they bleep out God Damn it....and the only part bleeped is God.

I can sort of see where they are coming from...but still

Well you know, in this day and age of seperation of church and state, you cant use the lords name in vain.

.....wait a minute.

Fox 6 · 02-06-2006, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylflon

For one, the video only contained a couple of swear words. There have been many videos linked to on this site which have had far more swearing. So this one being a big deal seemed somewhat random to me.

Not to mention that one thread contains a link to pornographic material that was never dealt with.

Linkage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krypton

the google of porn.

all free.

The link was in the above quote but i left it out.

Swan · 02-06-2006, 01:18 AM

Yeah, I believe someone even brought it up as to how that got past the Mod's

Professor S · 02-06-2006, 01:38 AM

To clear up any confision, I base my choice of removal of swear words based on the standard set by our automatic censor. I don't just randomly edit or censor material because I want to "flex my muscle". Thats simply silly. I used the standard not only set by the censor, but by the MPAA. If you use the "F-word" in a movie, you get an R-rating. This is at worst a PG-13 forum and we have always tried to keep it to that standard. I actually thought by moving it to the Think Tank I was being lenient compared to how I normally treat material with profane content, which is that I normally remove it all together. Instead I seemed to create a swirling whirlwind of shock and indignation to what was simply a well established policy.

As for inconsistencies in censoring banned material... moderating ain't my job. Its a hobby. I have a real life with a real job, real classes, a real chick, real live friends, real bills and real responsibilities. I edit and remove what I find. If I miss something, then it gets through the cracks. If I find it, then I take the appropriate and well established action. Censoring linked material is not new, so I don't see what the big deal is.

As for the word nigger not being automatically removed, thats because any offense it may cause depends solely on its context. If nigger is used to attack someone on these forums, then I would take immediate action, remove the post or thread, and the poster would be warned and possibly BANNED depending on the curcumstances. If someone uses the word in a historical or academic context, then there is no reason to censor its use.

**** cannot be used in appropriate manner. In fact, the words power and effect depends solely on the fact that it is considered a bad word worthy of censoring. The idea that it is censorable is the only reason why the word is so great and powerful. To remove its taboo is to remove its reason to exist.

Final point: I have been to forums that felt that the use of curse words was completely acceptable, and their forums are a complete mess. The quality of the posting is awful and the members tend to be trolls who prefer flaming members and picking fights to actually contributing to conversations. We avoid most of these idiots because their little tirades are simply **** out. So they don't come, they don't join and most importantly they don't post because they can't get off on their own tired predictable "irreverance". Yes, this might not let us grow by leaps and bounds, but then again, GameTavern would then turn into a forum that few of use would want to be members of anymore.

BTW, thanks for the heads up about the porn link. The post with the link has been removed, per our policy.

Typhoid · 02-06-2006, 01:48 AM

Strangie, about your final point, we can still flame people.

Example (lighthearted and totally for example purposes, I might point out now):

I'm pretty sure that can still be considered flaming.

Its also considered editable, thanks for playing.

Dylflon · 02-06-2006, 01:59 AM

Hey Prof, thought this might amuse you:

Quote:

If a film uses "one of the harsher sexually-derived words" (such as f*ck) once, it is routine today for the film to receive a PG-13 rating, provided that the word is used as an expletive and not with a sexual meaning (this was mentioned in Be Cool, when Chili Palmer complains about the movie industry. Ironically, "f*ck" is said only in that scene, giving the movie a PG-13); exceptions may be allowed, "by a special vote of the ratings board" where the board feels such an exception would better reflect the sensibilities of American parents. A content analysis of the rated films of 1991 shows that 50% of the PG-13 films of that year used "f*ck" as an expletive, and half of those allowed two uses. It is a common misconception that if a movie uses "f*ck," in a non-sexual context, more than once, it will automatically receive an R rating. In reality, PG-13 movies are routinely allowed two or 3 uses.

Now...did that Nintendo video swear enough times to merit being moved out of the PG-13 bracket?

Professor S · 02-06-2006, 02:14 AM

Honestly, this is just childish. Swearing is banned, get over it. If you want to play little games and stick little asterix in your little swear words, go right ahead. Once again, the censor is my model along with common coutresy and general decency. Our established rules will be inforced if I come across any posts or links that break them, they'll be removed. Nothings changed, you're just wasting you time and making asses of yourselves in the process. Typhoids last little assinine "joke" was perfect example of why the censor is in effect as we don't want that kind of drivel here.

If you all want to sit around and giggle at your little game of "guess what word I can say!" and "look how I can manipulate the MAN and be all REBELLIOUS", go right ahead. Its tiresome.

In conclusion... Grow Up.