ANNOUNCEMENT: Unacceptable Language

[CalliArcale]

After lengthy discussions and deliberations on the subject, the administrators and moderators have decided that some words simply do not have any place on this message board. Specifically, words that are intended to denigrate or demean based on race, ethnicity, nationality, culture, religion, or sexuality will not be permitted. We will edit those words out when we see them, and if a user is persistent about using them, we will send warnings and possibly take further action if neccesary. Here is a list of words which are no longer acceptable here. Please understand that this list is not all-inclusive. We have tried to list as many as we could think of, but there are surely more out there, and we will edit them as well if we see them. We do understand that many of these words have innocent useages; we will be sensitive to context.<br /><br />poof<br />fairy<br />fem<br />*****<br />****<br />wigger<br />*******<br />camel lover (or cruder variants)<br />sheep lover (or cruder variants)<br />goat lover (or cruder variants)<br />frog<br />white trash<br />pigs (when used to describe police officers)<br />queen<br />fruit<br />swish<br />puff<br />closet queen<br />butch<br />****<br />***<br /><br />Additionally, there has been excessive use of accusatory terms such as "liar", "racist", and "terrorist sympathizer". These can be relevant and appropriate in certain threads, so they are not being outright banned. However, if you use any of these (or similar) terms to describe another member, be advised that you will be expected to back up your claim. Unsupported allegations of this nature are considered ad hominems, because the terms are generally not complimentary. We also expect you to limit the use of these terms to relevant threads and not bring up old fights in new threads. For instance, if you argued with another member about the proper role of blacks in modern American society and accusations of racism were tossed about, do not bring that up in a thread about gamma ray bursts. It's not rel <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

After lengthy discussions and deliberations on the subject, the administrators and moderators have decided that some words simply do not have any place on this message board. Specifically, words that are intended to denigrate or demean based on race, ethnicity, nationality, culture, religion, or sexuality will not be permitted. We will edit those words out when we see them, and if a user is persistent about using them, we will send warnings and possibly take further action if neccesary. Here is a list of words which are no longer acceptable here. Please understand that this list is not all-inclusive. We have tried to list as many as we could think of, but there are surely more out there, and we will edit them as well if we see them. We do understand that many of these words have innocent useages; we will be sensitive to context.<br /><br />poof<br />fairy<br />fem<br />*****<br />****<br />wigger<br />*******<br />camel lover (or cruder variants)<br />sheep lover (or cruder variants)<br />goat lover (or cruder variants)<br />frog<br />white trash<br />pigs (when used to describe police officers)<br />queen<br />fruit<br />swish<br />puff<br />closet queen<br />butch<br />****<br />***<br /><br />Additionally, there has been excessive use of accusatory terms such as "liar", "racist", and "terrorist sympathizer". These can be relevant and appropriate in certain threads, so they are not being outright banned. However, if you use any of these (or similar) terms to describe another member, be advised that you will be expected to back up your claim. Unsupported allegations of this nature are considered ad hominems, because the terms are generally not complimentary. We also expect you to limit the use of these terms to relevant threads and not bring up old fights in new threads. For instance, if you argued with another member about the proper role of blacks in modern American society and accusations of racism were tossed about, do not bring that up in a thread about gamma ray bursts. It's not rel <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

After lengthy discussions and deliberations on the subject, the administrators and moderators have decided that some words simply do not have any place on this message board. Specifically, words that are intended to denigrate or demean based on race, ethnicity, nationality, culture, religion, or sexuality will not be permitted. We will edit those words out when we see them, and if a user is persistent about using them, we will send warnings and possibly take further action if neccesary. Here is a list of words which are no longer acceptable here. Please understand that this list is not all-inclusive. We have tried to list as many as we could think of, but there are surely more out there, and we will edit them as well if we see them. We do understand that many of these words have innocent useages; we will be sensitive to context.<br /><br />poof<br />fairy<br />fem<br />*****<br />****<br />wigger<br />*******<br />camel lover (or cruder variants)<br />sheep lover (or cruder variants)<br />goat lover (or cruder variants)<br />frog<br />white trash<br />pigs (when used to describe police officers)<br />queen<br />fruit<br />swish<br />puff<br />closet queen<br />butch<br />****<br />***<br /><br />Additionally, there has been excessive use of accusatory terms such as "liar", "racist", and "terrorist sympathizer". These can be relevant and appropriate in certain threads, so they are not being outright banned. However, if you use any of these (or similar) terms to describe another member, be advised that you will be expected to back up your claim. Unsupported allegations of this nature are considered ad hominems, because the terms are generally not complimentary. We also expect you to limit the use of these terms to relevant threads and not bring up old fights in new threads. For instance, if you argued with another member about the proper role of blacks in modern American society and accusations of racism were tossed about, do not bring that up in a thread about gamma ray bursts. It's not rel <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

After lengthy discussions and deliberations on the subject, the administrators and moderators have decided that some words simply do not have any place on this message board. Specifically, words that are intended to denigrate or demean based on race, ethnicity, nationality, culture, religion, or sexuality will not be permitted. We will edit those words out when we see them, and if a user is persistent about using them, we will send warnings and possibly take further action if neccesary. Here is a list of words which are no longer acceptable here. Please understand that this list is not all-inclusive. We have tried to list as many as we could think of, but there are surely more out there, and we will edit them as well if we see them. We do understand that many of these words have innocent useages; we will be sensitive to context.<br /><br />poof<br />fairy<br />fem<br />*****<br />****<br />wigger<br />*******<br />camel lover (or cruder variants)<br />sheep lover (or cruder variants)<br />goat lover (or cruder variants)<br />frog<br />white trash<br />pigs (when used to describe police officers)<br />queen<br />fruit<br />swish<br />puff<br />closet queen<br />butch<br />****<br />***<br /><br />Additionally, there has been excessive use of accusatory terms such as "liar", "racist", and "terrorist sympathizer". These can be relevant and appropriate in certain threads, so they are not being outright banned. However, if you use any of these (or similar) terms to describe another member, be advised that you will be expected to back up your claim. Unsupported allegations of this nature are considered ad hominems, because the terms are generally not complimentary. We also expect you to limit the use of these terms to relevant threads and not bring up old fights in new threads. For instance, if you argued with another member about the proper role of blacks in modern American society and accusations of racism were tossed about, do not bring that up in a thread about gamma ray bursts. It's not rel <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

After lengthy discussions and deliberations on the subject, the administrators and moderators have decided that some words simply do not have any place on this message board. Specifically, words that are intended to denigrate or demean based on race, ethnicity, nationality, culture, religion, or sexuality will not be permitted. We will edit those words out when we see them, and if a user is persistent about using them, we will send warnings and possibly take further action if neccesary. Here is a list of words which are no longer acceptable here. Please understand that this list is not all-inclusive. We have tried to list as many as we could think of, but there are surely more out there, and we will edit them as well if we see them. We do understand that many of these words have innocent useages; we will be sensitive to context.<br /><br />poof<br />fairy<br />fem<br />*****<br />****<br />wigger<br />*******<br />camel lover (or cruder variants)<br />sheep lover (or cruder variants)<br />goat lover (or cruder variants)<br />frog<br />white trash<br />pigs (when used to describe police officers)<br />queen<br />fruit<br />swish<br />puff<br />closet queen<br />butch<br />****<br />***<br /><br />Additionally, there has been excessive use of accusatory terms such as "liar", "racist", and "terrorist sympathizer". These can be relevant and appropriate in certain threads, so they are not being outright banned. However, if you use any of these (or similar) terms to describe another member, be advised that you will be expected to back up your claim. Unsupported allegations of this nature are considered ad hominems, because the terms are generally not complimentary. We also expect you to limit the use of these terms to relevant threads and not bring up old fights in new threads. For instance, if you argued with another member about the proper role of blacks in modern American society and accusations of racism were tossed about, do not bring that up in a thread about gamma ray bursts. It's not rel <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

After lengthy discussions and deliberations on the subject, the administrators and moderators have decided that some words simply do not have any place on this message board. Specifically, words that are intended to denigrate or demean based on race, ethnicity, nationality, culture, religion, or sexuality will not be permitted. We will edit those words out when we see them, and if a user is persistent about using them, we will send warnings and possibly take further action if neccesary. Here is a list of words which are no longer acceptable here. Please understand that this list is not all-inclusive. We have tried to list as many as we could think of, but there are surely more out there, and we will edit them as well if we see them. We do understand that many of these words have innocent useages; we will be sensitive to context.<br /><br />poof<br />fairy<br />fem<br />*****<br />****<br />wigger<br />*******<br />camel lover (or cruder variants)<br />sheep lover (or cruder variants)<br />goat lover (or cruder variants)<br />frog<br />white trash<br />pigs (when used to describe police officers)<br />queen<br />fruit<br />swish<br />puff<br />closet queen<br />butch<br />****<br />***<br /><br />Additionally, there has been excessive use of accusatory terms such as "liar", "racist", and "terrorist sympathizer". These can be relevant and appropriate in certain threads, so they are not being outright banned. However, if you use any of these (or similar) terms to describe another member, be advised that you will be expected to back up your claim. Unsupported allegations of this nature are considered ad hominems, because the terms are generally not complimentary. We also expect you to limit the use of these terms to relevant threads and not bring up old fights in new threads. For instance, if you argued with another member about the proper role of blacks in modern American society and accusations of racism were tossed about, do not bring that up in a thread about gamma ray bursts. It's not rel <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

After lengthy discussions and deliberations on the subject, the administrators and moderators have decided that some words simply do not have any place on this message board. Specifically, words that are intended to denigrate or demean based on race, ethnicity, nationality, culture, religion, or sexuality will not be permitted. We will edit those words out when we see them, and if a user is persistent about using them, we will send warnings and possibly take further action if neccesary. Here is a list of words which are no longer acceptable here. Please understand that this list is not all-inclusive. We have tried to list as many as we could think of, but there are surely more out there, and we will edit them as well if we see them. We do understand that many of these words have innocent useages; we will be sensitive to context.<br /><br />poof<br />fairy<br />fem<br />*****<br />****<br />wigger<br />*******<br />camel lover (or cruder variants)<br />sheep lover (or cruder variants)<br />goat lover (or cruder variants)<br />frog<br />white trash<br />pigs (when used to describe police officers)<br />queen<br />fruit<br />swish<br />puff<br />closet queen<br />butch<br />****<br />***<br /><br />Additionally, there has been excessive use of accusatory terms such as "liar", "racist", and "terrorist sympathizer". These can be relevant and appropriate in certain threads, so they are not being outright banned. However, if you use any of these (or similar) terms to describe another member, be advised that you will be expected to back up your claim. Unsupported allegations of this nature are considered ad hominems, because the terms are generally not complimentary. We also expect you to limit the use of these terms to relevant threads and not bring up old fights in new threads. For instance, if you argued with another member about the proper role of blacks in modern American society and accusations of racism were tossed about, do not bring that up in a thread about gamma ray bursts. It's not rel <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[newtonian]

Calli - I must commend you and the other moderators and administrators on the fine job you are doing.<br /><br />However, does this mean I cannot refer to the Biblical Queen Esther, or to the mutations of frogs due to ozone depletion?<br /><br />OK, I see your conclusion: context!<br /><br />Good!

 

[radarredux]

> <i><font color="yellow">poof</font>/i><br /><br />What is wrong with Privately Owned Orbital Facility (POOF) (see The Space Review article). Is this the ISS supporters effort to prevent discussions about private space programs?<br /><br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <br />I really don't know what a "poof" is other than the definition I just provided.</i>

 

[CalliArcale]

To reiterate, since this question came up in Free Space as well, we will be sensitive to context. If you want to go out and smoke a *** (i.e. cigarette), that's just fine. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> And you can discuss POOF to your heart's content. But if you use it to describe a homosexual person, then that's not okay.<br /><br />If you don't know what offensive meaning these words can have, then you're probably safe. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> Don't worry, we won't be instantaneously banning people for using these words. This will take some time for everybody to get used to. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

It's good to be appreciated. Thank you. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> And if there's any doubt in anyone's mind, you are correct -- you can talk about Queen Esther and frog mutations anytime you want. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[brellis]

Thank You for your announcement. I'm new to this community, so I'll try to keep my record clean with regards to unacceptable language. My first posts were actually questions about astronomy, so there was little chance of violation <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <br /><br /> We are so fortunate to have intelligent, patient administrators/moderators like you. The vast majority of posts are inspired, inquisitive and sometimes heated but civil discussions, but when the heat rises, language becomes a creative outlet for expressing hatred. <br /><br /> Devil's advocate question - is the insulting language actually a good way to vent? Is censorship the solution to unacceptable language? <br /><br /> As a typical American, I digest most of the painful news of the world through the filter of comedians like Jon Stewart, Steven Colbert and Stone Phillips <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Regarding our list of unacceptable terms, I'm smiling right now as I think of George Carlin's seven dirty words routine from the 1970's. Carlin opined that censorship raised the potency of certain words, to the point where they become more powerful than the word 'God', since 'God' loses its impact as it is uttered countless times over public airways. <br /><br /> Closer to the context of the list in your post are Chris Rock's routines in which he castigates his own race on issues like unemployment and family values, but therein lies the answer: Chris Rock uses incendiary language to vent the hatred cast by that language in the first place. It's a chaotic 2-step approach, because a lot of people get physically and/or emotionally hurt in the process. <br /><br /> Carlin was venting against global authoritarian constraints over public airways. I think he would approve of the efforts of the Administrators and Moderators to warn the haters against abusive language. If you behave badly, you're gonna get tossed out. That's not censorship.<br /><br /> By the way, I've read about 30 of you <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[raghara2]

What problems do you have with word fairy? And what with a word frog?<br /><br />Actually If there would be need for detailed response, It would lead to 5 page study: blablabla.... profanity filters didn't make posters better .... blahblahblah. And be happy I didn't wrote a 5ve page very inpolite article about mythology, and its role about forming of a society. <br /><br />As for leet speek. It has been rather a complicated form of comunication. Substytution of letters isn't leet speek. I expect you ment spam like form of substitution.<br /><br /><br />

 

[kane007]

In some instances such as using the stuff that flows from ones veins in conjunction with the word mess can be used to reinforce the meaning of your point. Using it as an adjective to give greater emphasis to an event. Is this forbidden?<br /><br /><font color="red">DO NO HARM</font><br /><br />

 

[CalliArcale]

No, "bloody" isn't in the profanity filter, and it isn't a derogatory term for a group, so it's fine. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[propforce]

We can use the word "LOX" in M&L, right? Surely when we do, we don't mean as in smoked salmon .... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

"Fairy" is okay in most contexts, but don't use it to describe homosexuals. "Frogs" are okay as long as you're not referring unfavorably to Frenchmen. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> These are really just examples. I can't list everything, obviously. In general, if it's meant to offend, don't use it. It's not really that hard, and we're not going to be stomping down on anybody's communication. If you want to discuss Arabs, for instance, call them Arabs, not something meant to insult them. It really shouldn't interfere too much; most users (especially outside of Free Space) don't use such words anyway.<br /><br />And by "leetspeak" I was referring to the deliberate obfuscation of English, producing words like "733T". Leetspeak is not banned, but obfuscating a swearword so it can pass the profanity filter is not acceptable. I just listed it as one example of how to bypass the filter. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[najab]

So *THAT'S* what LOX means! I could never figure out why someone would eat a bagel at -183C. <img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" />

 

[kane007]

Excellent, so is our guide going to be something like what can be aired on prime time free to air television rather than sub scriber tv or after 9pm broadcasts?<br /><br /><font color="red">DO NO HARM</font>/safety_wrapper>

 

[CalliArcale]

*ROTFL*<br /><br />Now that was funny, najaB! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

That's pretty accurate, kane007. By MPAA ratings, we're PG here, not R. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[kane007]

What about M?

 

[kauboi]

hmmm... interesting point, laughing at what appears serious things is sometimes important. Nevertheless the problem is that it will make the job of the moderators much harder since they would be obliged to consider each case separately which could spark controversy and unnecesary stress for the mods. It hurts nobody to restrain from using those words IMO. <br /><br />Of course, there is always the context. Maybe adding a <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> at the end of the sentence would help matters on a positive way <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[flynn]

Wow, there are a couple on there I don't even know what they mean. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#800080">"All God does is watch us and kill us when we get boring. We must never, ever be boring" - <strong>Chuck Palahniuk</strong>.</font> </div>

 

[ace5]

And, please, the moderators may have in mind that some posters are from not of English-language countries, like me.<br />Any error should be analysed from this point of view as well.