Opinions on Terms of Use and profanity censoring
#1
Okay folks, I'd like to have some opinions on our Terms of Use and censoring (or currently, lack thereof).

The rule currently states: "You warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, sexually-orientated, hateful, threatening, or otherwise in violation of any laws."

For the most part, everything's been A-OK so far to me. There's been some minor bickering and good-natured joking around, but that's to be expected and there's nothing wrong with it.

I've received a few questions about the lack of profanity filtering, and I want to know what you think: Should the forum remain as-is and not implement any word filters, should only some sections be allowed to remain unfiltered, or should the whole thing be filtered?

So far the arguments for filtering that I've heard is that some people don't like to see those particular words used and that younger (under-18) folks might be reading the board. Right now we don't have any homepage warnings saying "here be demons" to anyone who might visit and come across a thread with multiple incantations of the F-bomb.

Please discuss. Smiling
Reply
#2
I don't know that I care one way or another, but will try to abide by whatever the consensus is. One thing that comes to mind with censoring is that people will always find a way around it, though. Instead of typing shit they will type sh!t or similar. Kids old enough to know those words will be old enough to figure out what is being said. It still sounds the same in your head whether you are reading it spelled correctly or reading a substitution.

My personal discomfort zones are with the f-bomb and truly vulgar words. But I can live with most of it, I'm sure. It's pictures that concern me most. I don't like having pictures that are nasty simply because my kiddo sits next to me sometimes and is very curious about what I am looking at on occasion. If I feel it goes to far here, I'll simply stop coming around when he is near me...which means it might end up that I don't come around. (That's not a threat....just an observation.)

The one thing to consider is this: People who like to drop the f-bomb or place nasty pictures can live without the "freedom" to do so and still enjoy themselves. If they can't, then there is something wrong with them. If you really want to draw new people in, you'll have to consider if it's a bit too adult content oriented for some people who will turn away from it.
Reply
#3
I don't think there needs to be a profanity filter as long as the expletives are used in moderation. I am much more bothered by the very obscene posts that Pastor Clyde has vomited on us all. Like his first post in the God Damn Obama topic. Have you read it? It is still there. IMO, that filth is worse than the occasional profanity. So, I guess my position is that if you can censor the sexually explicit filth, the profanity can remain. Although, I don't care if it goes if the majority of other posters want it gone.
Reply
#4
Just say no to censorship. This isn't a forum for little school children. The concept that someone would be offended by certain letter combinations on a computer screen is ridiculous. If people are so prudish that they would feign offense at seeing shit,fuck,damn or ass on a computer screen they don't belong on the internet anyway.

Draw the lines at threats and outright harassment and let the rest sort itself out.
Reply
#5
Things have been good so far but there will be a bad apple who comes along and ruins it for everyone. That said, most good forums have some kind of censor. Some go too far, some not far enough. I'm with JJ on the obscene pictures. If I want to see gross pictures, I'll look at an old family album. J/K! Seriously, no one needs to post explicit pictures.

Cuss words? I enjoy the creativity employed by those who really, really need to swear. 'Azzwhole' is hilarious. So is '$h!t'. I especially love the variations for the f-bomb. Like 'eff', 'flock', 'fluck' and 'feck'. It forces us to reach into our inner street kid for creative alternatives to those plain, old, everyday, mundane swear words.

One day, on another forum I visit, two people were having a knock-down drag out. One of them was named Joules. He elicited this response from his opponent: "Sacre bleu, blow me Froggy'. I laughed all day after that. Much better than 'fuck off'.

Whatever the consensus is will be fine with me.
Reply
#6
You censor profanity and you ruin any possibility for this board to be honest. Life , politics , the world is profane and vile. Get over it. This board is tame K Gasso. Speaking for myself I don't go smearing profanity upon all the threads. Sit back and enjoy the ride man. You take away basic freedoms here you will ruin any possibility for this to be real. All that will occur is that people will find other ways of getting around censors. You dont have near enough traffic to be even considering trying to rule with the intent you aspire. PC/RD PS I'M not fucking around here. Let it be.
Reply
#7
Hmm....well there you have it..straight from the Horse's, um,.....mouth.

JJ is right. Censoring the words just amounts to Sh!t and such and doesn't really fool anybody (though personally I think swearing on a printed forum shows a lack of imagination, but that's just me). I also agree, however, that posting pictures is another story.

This board has always been pretty good at policing itself. Perhaps if and when this becomes an issue you fix it. I think we will ALL recognize when some invisible line has been crossed.
Reply
#8
My view on filtering has been that there's really no point - there's always a way around filtering, and what purpose does it serve when everyone knows what was meant anyway? The MTF had filters, but that doesn't mean it's the "best" way to go. Besides, I don't have time to sit here and babysit the board all day long to see whether someone popped off one of Carlin's seven words or if they were instead talking about a Tufted Titmouse. I'd still like to hear some opinions (if any) from the other side, though.

So, on a similar topic...

For everyone's benefit, in the near future I want to lay out the ground rules a little more clearly. I'm leaning towards the following for what is explicitly not allowed on the board:
  • Shock photos and sites - generally, any photograph or direct link to a photograph or site which has the sole purpose of intentionally disgusting or disturbing viewers without adequate warning.
  • Posting of personal (non-public, not generally known) information about other members or members of the general public without their consent.
  • Posting links to sites for the sole purpose of advertising a business or linking to sites which contain viruses, worms, scripts, or other code which can be harmful to visitor's computer.[/list:u]

    These are the ones that have pretty much got to stay unless I want to have big legal issues:
    • Posting anything in violation of the law.
    • Nudity - Personally, I've got no problem with it. However, laws regarding storage and display nude photographs require keeping record keeping with regards to names/ages/etc. of people displayed.
    • Personal attacks (joking around with people or calling them an idiot is one thing, but all-out flamewars are another completely) - Reason behind this being on the "must stay" list is due to slanderous or libelous comments/threats of violence/blackmail.[/list:u]

      Any opinions on this as well?
Reply
#9
kgasso Wrote:My view on filtering has been that there's really no point - there's always a way around filtering, and what purpose does it serve when everyone knows what was meant anyway? The MTF had filters, but that doesn't mean it's the "best" way to go. Besides, I don't have time to sit here and babysit the board all day long to see whether someone popped off one of Carlin's seven words or if they were instead talking about a Tufted Titmouse. I'd still like to hear some opinions (if any) from the other side, though.

So, on a similar topic...

For everyone's benefit, in the near future I want to lay out the ground rules a little more clearly. I'm leaning towards the following for what is explicitly not allowed on the board:
  • Shock photos and sites - generally, any photograph or direct link to a photograph or site which has the sole purpose of intentionally disgusting or disturbing viewers without adequate warning.
  • Posting of personal (non-public, not generally known) information about other members or members of the general public without their consent.
  • Posting links to sites for the sole purpose of advertising a business or linking to sites which contain viruses, worms, scripts, or other code which can be harmful to visitor's computer.[/list:u]

    These are the ones that have pretty much got to stay unless I want to have big legal issues:
    • Posting anything in violation of the law.
    • Nudity - Personally, I've got no problem with it. However, laws regarding storage and display nude photographs require keeping record keeping with regards to names/ages/etc. of people displayed.
    • Personal attacks (joking around with people or calling them an idiot is one thing, but all-out flamewars are another completely) - Reason behind this being on the "must stay" list is due to slanderous or libelous comments/threats of violence/blackmail.[/list:u]

      Any opinions on this as well?
I ahve a question what abvoutthe personal slams your dad makes on me when I post an Anti Obamam /gub thread. He has done this repeatitively when it isnt even personal. Its jsut a tiaraid. of sorts. Then he digs into my my relationship with my mom and really simply digs in ways I really dotn do to him for the most part. What is up with that? PC/RD
Reply
#10
I'm saying hell NO to censorship! We're adults, right?! Let us converse as such. Obviously bullying, harassing, etc shouldn't be condoned, but a few bad words?
Reply
#11
PastorClyde, one of the things I'm looking for opinions on with regards to "personal attacks" is "how far is too far?" Right now it's a "using my best discretion" thing, aside from libelous or illegal material, which has to be removed.
Reply
#12
kgasso Wrote:PastorClyde, one of the things I'm looking for opinions on with regards to "personal attacks" is "how far is too far?" Right now it's a "using my best discretion" thing, aside from libelous or illegal material, which has to be removed.
Look man , IMHO your thinking too much. Like I said this place is tame. Seriously if you want to really see a forum with rules but at the same time is "Not so tame " Go here and look. You will see what is common fair and can see the absence of what is not. They do a real good job of catching the crossing the line stuff. That being said its a cesspool .LOL ASk some of the Admin how they handle everything, they will more than likely oblige you courteously . They are for the most part professionals blowing off steam. Despite its lack of taste there are rules , and they are strictly enforced. http://www.kcforum.net/forum/index.php
Reply
#13
Alaska Wrote:I'm saying hell NO to censorship! We're adults, right?! Let us converse as such. Obviously bullying, harassing, etc shouldn't be condoned, but a few bad words?
Do me a favor and rip TV a new one will you ?
Reply
#14
I say, no filters. Then I say: Hey, folks, let's don't ruin this for the rest of us and please use a little common sense and decency. Take advantage of a system and you will lose what you love about it.
Reply
#15
I think the rules KG listed make good sense and do not constitute censorship. I say leave the bad words: I would have loved to come across those when I was 8 years old, so why deny the kids that pleasure? Cool
Reply
#16
PastorClyde Wrote:
kgasso Wrote:My view on filtering has been that there's really no point - there's always a way around filtering, and what purpose does it serve when everyone knows what was meant anyway? The MTF had filters, but that doesn't mean it's the "best" way to go. Besides, I don't have time to sit here and babysit the board all day long to see whether someone popped off one of Carlin's seven words or if they were instead talking about a Tufted Titmouse. I'd still like to hear some opinions (if any) from the other side, though.

So, on a similar topic...

For everyone's benefit, in the near future I want to lay out the ground rules a little more clearly. I'm leaning towards the following for what is explicitly not allowed on the board:
  • Shock photos and sites - generally, any photograph or direct link to a photograph or site which has the sole purpose of intentionally disgusting or disturbing viewers without adequate warning.
  • Posting of personal (non-public, not generally known) information about other members or members of the general public without their consent.
  • Posting links to sites for the sole purpose of advertising a business or linking to sites which contain viruses, worms, scripts, or other code which can be harmful to visitor's computer.[/list:u]

    These are the ones that have pretty much got to stay unless I want to have big legal issues:
    • Posting anything in violation of the law.
    • Nudity - Personally, I've got no problem with it. However, laws regarding storage and display nude photographs require keeping record keeping with regards to names/ages/etc. of people displayed.
    • Personal attacks (joking around with people or calling them an idiot is one thing, but all-out flamewars are another completely) - Reason behind this being on the "must stay" list is due to slanderous or libelous comments/threats of violence/blackmail.[/list:u]

      Any opinions on this as well?
I ahve a question what abvoutthe personal slams your dad makes on me when I post an Anti Obamam /gub thread. He has done this repeatitively when it isnt even personal. Its jsut a tiaraid. of sorts. Then he digs into my my relationship with my mom and really simply digs in ways I really dotn do to him for the most part. What is up with that? PC/RD



What is up? Personally, I think you respond with extremism when you feel put on the hook. Someone will snipe, or barb with a needle and you will come back with big guns. It's a difference. It's not necessary. Subtlety is so much sharper anyway. Is the only way to verbally bash a person is with profanity? How utterly boring. One person says a questionable sentence, and you come back with a nuclear bomb. Those who are offending you aren't doing so out of any kind of privilege or even brilliance, so coming back in full attack mode and crying hypocrite so my club is going be a bigger whacker than yours.....does nothing except you look smaller and makes it look, well, as if those who did, scored a point. Shrug these things off and respond with wit, and class, they'll look less, you will have at least made your point, and things won't get to the level that we have to lose freedoms. This isn't a contest.
Reply
#17
Tia we arent losing any priveleges and my lines are pretty clear as to who gets it. Thats called a contained reaction. Cletus and TV are the only ones who really cant help but make it overly personal. Total assholes. Thats what they are , why should I call them anything else ? Relax. Pc/Rd
Reply
#18
So we'll do without dirty pictures and be judicious with our cuss words. Sounds like a good plan to me.
Reply
#19
I have not read many of the other responses, nor do I care to.

I fall under the the category of freedom of speech and expression. If a site (or a country?) ever exists where that is acceptable, I am there.

On the subject of "cuss" words.... get over it. They are words that even YOU (meaning even the biggest prude on the planet, with no intention of singling out anyone) say INSIDE your head, even if you never utter them personally.

On the subject of pictures, pornography obviously should not be here, but who decides what nude art is porn, and what is art? Hustler is porn. But what is art?

I left the coast forum the MINUTE I was chastised (censored) by the GOD over there. I will not tolerate totalitarianism. Let us just flow.
Reply
#20
About nudity: We could nip this is the bud quickly. I post a nude picture of myself and no one would EVER want to see a nude photo again!
So no nudity, real or otherwise, just not necessary.

Censorship? Hell no. But to say f***k no is over the top and should be outlawed.

Personal attacks? There is a limit. Folks who go over the line often will be picked up by the monitor and should be punished.

Flirty flirty. It MUST be funny, and posted for everyone's attention.

And Larry should be banned because he shot Bambi.
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)