Swearing

[CountArach]

Alright, I suppose this is best put back here given that some may (apparently) be offended by its content.

What I have a concern with is the apparent suggestion that the word "Damn" is considered swearing. It is about the most low-level profanity I can think of, and yet there is an insistence on removing it from all the posts. I would just like to hear the justification for it, because honestly I just don't see the point and the word "Darn" just doesn't have the same effect.

So yes... could someone explain what the official position is on "Damn", and why?

[pevergreen]

Where?

Gameroom, thats now not accepted, as per the new rules. I believe hell is not either.

[CountArach]

Where?

Gameroom, thats now not accepted, as per the new rules. I believe hell is not either.

Gameroom, yeah. Though I think the same may have happened in the Backroom at some point.

[pevergreen]

As of 25/7/09

The Gameroom mods have recently decided to, in order to help foster the spirit of friendly play, adopt a strict anti-swearing policy. We are stopping short of saying that it's zero-tolerance, but the policy can be summed up in one word: don't.

Along with the major curse words, we also frown upon the minor ones that may slip by in some of the other sections of the .Org. In addition, certain words that are acceptable in the US but are regarded as curses in other areas such as the UK are also not allowed, and vice versa.

If you feel that alternatives such as "heck" and "darn" don't cut it, then feel free to replace the entire word (emphasis on entire) with asterisks, other colorful symbols such as *#%!, or the ever-popular smiley.

Thank you for your cooperation, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact one of us.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Not every word has the same level of intensity in every country. Take "damn", for instance, the word you cited. I agree that it's rather low-level as compared to some of the others out there (and I do share your feelings about "darn" having little effect). However, I am only familiar with its intensity in the USA. When we were originally mapping this policy out, Sigurd informed us that "damn" was one of the strongest profanities in Norway.

After having a back-and-forth conversation about what nationalities were better to cater to in terms of language editing, we decided to adopt the current policy as an all-inclusive way around this problem. It may be annoying to someone who doesn't view it as a profanity, but there may be other people who view it as an equivalent to our "F***" or something similar.

[Beskar]

I heard democracy was a strong profanity in China. I think we should ban that too.

(I am not kidding, the Chinese government and Chinese Google filters it.)

[Vladimir]

Wanker.

[Whacker]

"Damn" and "crap" are not really even considered swearing among most people as I've experienced throughout life.

"Hell" isn't swearing at all, calling it as such is utterly ridiculous.

[johnhughthom]

Some people may think your username is swearing.

[Beskar]

Craps is a game of dice.

[Vladimir]

The F word is a TV show.

[econ21]

When I was a moderator, I decided to go for a zero-tolerance type policy much like the gameroom is doing. It doesn't mean that people using soft swearwords necessarily get warning points or even warnings - a PM or a moderator edit might be appropriate in some cases. With potentially intense and competitive inter-personal exchanges like the gameroom, I can see the logic in the policy as way of helping to keep things cool.

One reason for a zero-tolerance stance is precisely the difficulty of drawing a line and how that line will vary by culture. Better to kill them all and let God sort them out, sort of thing.

As a non-moderator, I know really appreciate the Org's lack of swearing. I think it does help maintain a respectful and friendly atmosphere. I have no problem with swearing in movies or swearing in real life with friends, but when it comes to reading cold hard print written by impersonal strangers over the internet, swearing is a potential minefield.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Swearing, swearing...

It is most often not the words themselves that matter. It is not even blanketing words out or not, partly or wholly, that matters. What matters is use and intent, and perceived intent.

Case in point:

Wanker

Oh yeah? Well, you're a Incompatible language Incompatible language who likes Incompatible language ing his father's tiny Incompatible language and Incompatible language ing his mother Incompatible language in the Incompatible language. And while I'm talking about your mom, she's a Incompatible language Incompatible language who's Incompatible language ed so many people it's a wonder she doesn't explode from ingesting all of their Incompatible language.

[Hooahguy]

what if the curse word is in a name of something? like, for instance, there is a Metallica live album called "Live : binge and purge."

[johnhughthom]

Thats a bit like saying all the words to "So what?" are OK to use as they are written on an album sleeve...

[Hooahguy]

Thats a bit like saying all the words to "So what?" are OK to use as they are written on an album sleeve...

true, didnt think about that.

[Caius]

I think Im the one who said that word. I would like to apologize if it is a swear word.

[CountArach]

Not every word has the same level of intensity in every country. Take "damn", for instance, the word you cited. I agree that it's rather low-level as compared to some of the others out there (and I do share your feelings about "darn" having little effect). However, I am only familiar with its intensity in the USA. When we were originally mapping this policy out, Sigurd informed us that "damn" was one of the strongest profanities in Norway.

After having a back-and-forth conversation about what nationalities were better to cater to in terms of language editing, we decided to adopt the current policy as an all-inclusive way around this problem. It may be annoying to someone who doesn't view it as a profanity, but there may be other people who view it as an equivalent to our "F***" or something similar.

I still think its a little ridiculous, but ah well, I can at least see the rationalisation for it now.

"Damn" and "crap" are not really even considered swearing among most people as I've experienced throughout life.

"Hell" isn't swearing at all, calling it as such is utterly ridiculous.

That's been my experience as well, and my yardstick is that I say them in front of my mother.

[Beskar]

On a more serious note, there is two big points.

1) I support the ban on the more serious "swear words" in the sense that it stops people using them. On a personal level, I don't mind swear words when they are actually used correctly, but overusaged just says more about their character then anything.

2) I think GeneralHankerchief handles it very well. He is very relaxed and doesn't do infractions on the really minor things. He deserves a gold-star as he could handle it in a way where it upsets people, but if anything, people usually facepalm and scream "Silly me!" and take it light hearted.

[Strike For The South]

That's been my experience as well, and my yardstick is that I say them in front of my mother.

Not a good yardstick for me.

[Tratorix]

Not a good yardstick for me.

Zing.

[Beefy187]

In Japanese, Kuso which means S*** is the most aggressive word. Baka (Idiot) is next up. As for F words, B words and so on... we just use English because we don't have a word for it.

[Beskar]

In childrens cartoons, they say "Baka" all the time. Is it really that bad?

[Beefy187]

In childrens cartoons, they say "Baka" all the time. Is it really that bad?

Not at all.. Except all the other "swearing" is so innocent that Baka comes on the top.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Swearing, swearing...

It is most often not the words themselves that matter. It is not even blanketing words out or not, partly or wholly, that matters. What matters is use and intent, and perceived intent.

Since the Backroom is mentioned, Louis has explained the policy for "harmless" swearing very well. I would be surprised if we had ever censored "damn" but we may well have done based on intent, context and overall temperature of the forum at the time.

A strict policy is applied in the Backroom because of the strong emotions often expressed during discussions. Whilst in one thread the use of damn might be innocuous, in another it will be the spark that sets off a flame-war and consequent infractions.

I wonder from time to time whether we are too strict at the Org, but a visit to almost any other forum convinces me that the pleasant atmosphere is always preferable. As can be demonstrated perfectly by this thread, some members will push the boundaries at any opportunity. We therefore keep the boundaries tight and secure so that most transgression are minor and result in an edit rather than a ban-stick.

It's also rather hard to be respectful when one is swearing.

[Tribesman]

Bollox

[Louis VI the Fat]

Gah! Nobody has quoted my post yet. There is a surprise hidden in there. Quote it to find out...

[CountArach]

Gah! Nobody has quoted my post yet. There is a surprise hidden in there. Quote it to find out...

[johnhughthom]

Oh yeah? Well, you're a Incompatible language Incompatible language who likes Incompatible language ing his father's tiny Incompatible language and Incompatible language ing his mother Incompatible language in the Incompatible language. And while I'm talking about your mom, she's a Incompatible language Incompatible language who's Incompatible language ed so many people it's a wonder she doesn't explode from ingesting all of their Incompatible language.

Aww.

[johnhughthom]

Oh yeah? Well, you're a lovely person who likes petting his father's tiny kitten and giving his mother gifts in the month of May, specifically on the second Sunday thereof. And while I'm talking about your mom, she's a kind, considerateindividual who's helped so many people it's a wonder she doesn't explode from ingesting all of their cookies, which they bought her in thanks.

How nice.