ANNOUNCEMENT: Unacceptable Language

[nacnud]

<font color="yellow">frog <br /><br /><font color="white">I never thought that was offensive! <img src="/images/icons/shocked.gif" /></font></font>

 

[elguapoguano]

Yeah Frog can be offensive. My ex-girlfriend was a French Canadien, some refer to the French as Frogs none to thier liking. I think it has to do with French cuisine eating Frogs legs.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#ff0000"><u><em>Don't let your sig line incite a gay thread ;>)</em></u></font> </div>

 

[drwayne]

"Any error should be analysed from this point of view as well. "<br /><br />Of course it will be, hence the words in the announcement about context.<br /><br />I have said it before on several threads. The idea is actually far simpler than the word list. Express yourself, express your ideas, just keep it civil (avoid calling or labeling anybody anything) and have a sense of decorum. Thats it.<br /><br /><br />Wayne <br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[drwayne]

It can be surprising the vitriol and disdain that can be present when some use the term with respect of the French.<br /><br />I am sure they have more than one such term for us. <br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />This does not come across quite as strongly on a forum...<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[space_dreamer]

The French call the English “Roast beefs” and we call them Frogs, I don’t think this is so affective that we need to ban the words frog or roast beef! <br /><br />The Germans call the English “Island monkeys”! Which (I suppose) is quite offensive, however we like to remind them about beating them in WW2 and the 1966 world cup as often as possible! It’s all just friendly rivalry.<br /><br />

 

[CalliArcale]

The words aren't being banned; they're just listed as examples of things that shouldn't be said. You can still discuss dining on frog legs or roast beef or anything like that. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> Just don't be insulting towards other members. That's what it comes down to. And there's nothing wrong with friendly rivalry -- it's part of what makes life fun! <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>

 

[dobbins]

This could be made a lot simpler, don't apply a term to someone else that you wouldn't want applied to you.<br /><br />

 

[drwayne]

It is simple. <br /><br />Relax. Have fun. Treat the other uses with a level of courtesy and decorum. Everythings cool.<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[propforce]

Can I use the word MASTICATE ? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[drwayne]

Let me chew on that for a bit.<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

*groans*<br /><br />I heard a story once about a guy who was fired for using the word "pedantic" in an e-mail. Even after he explained what the word meant, they still fired him, refusing to acknowledge that they were illiterate morons and instead saying employees shouldn't use words that could be confused for something else. Absurd. <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>

 

[spacester]

I personally have had the surreal experience of being reprimanded in a performance review for "using too many big words"<br /><br />What I wanted to say: "You're saying that my vocabulary is excessively loquacious and ostentatious? Golly, I just like selecting the right words to get my meaning across."<br /><br />What I did say: as little as possible. But that was the day I began formulating my exit strategy.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[propforce]

Hey Spacester, you know that management don't like big words or math. <br /><br />Just draw them a picture next time <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

Ouch! Well, at least it gave you fair warning that it was not a job to stay in indefinitely....<br /><br />One of my most pleasant experiences at work was on this cool technology demonstrator program. The best part was the CCB meetings, because several of us (especially the program engineer, the quality guy, the hardware IPT lead, and myself) enjoyed dry, cerebral, and slightly twisted jokes. Vocabulary was a popular topic of jokes. "Copacetic" was one of the PE's favorite words. The team was especially amused when I introduced the word "erudite". There's an amusing circularity to the word, as if you know what erudite means, you probably are erudite.<br /><br />I liked that project a lot. <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>

 

[drwayne]

I still remember a number of words that we learned in 11th grade English - the teacher spent a lot of time teaching us words and giving us crosswords - with the SAT in mind. I believe that was one of them (or erudition)<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[alokmohan]

Agree on principle.Welome.But why frog and fruit I dont understand.

 

[a_lost_packet_]

The real question is:<br /><br />Is poop a noun or a verb?<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[disownedsky]

That's pooF, you insensitive clod! (I can still call someone an insensitive clod, can't I?)

 

[grooble]

Don't forget "****"

 

[zenonmars]

Hi, Calli, and thanks for these guidelines!<br /><br />And if you could be so kind ( <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> ), I was wondering if I can get a couple of clarifications?<br /><br />For instance, <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> can I still refer to telfrow as an "old phart" ? (seeing as I am at least as old as him, or really darn close!!!) <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />And, can I ever refer to stevehw33 as "cruder variant"?<br /><br /><i>hehehe....</i> <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />No, seriously, I applaud your combined efforts to address these issues. Folks of varied points of view, (especially as passionate about their views as SDC members can be), tend to get a bit out of control. And whether the anonymous nature of these boards causes these language faux paxs ( <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> ) , or whether we begin to speak to each other as we might to our closest "real" aquaintences, it is undoubtedly the higher road we should practice.<br /><br />And although I cannot <b><i>PROVE</i></b> that MaxTheKnife is an awful golfer.......I guess I should give him the benefit of the doubt and call him something like <i>"hyperdimensional golf enthusiast"!!!!!</i><br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[telfrow]

<font color="yellow">...can I still refer to telfrow as an "old phart"? (seeing as I am at least as old as him, or really darn close!!!) </font><br /><br />Fine by me, Zen. We "old folks" should consider the term a "badge of honor." We earned it. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <strong><font color="#3366ff">Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find and not to yeild.</font> - <font color="#3366ff"><em>Tennyson</em></font></strong> </div>

 

[ordinary_guy]

Good God. I'm gone for a couple of weeks and I swing by to find this? What the [he]ck has been happening around here?<br /><br />And this...?<br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>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 />***<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />Jumpin' Aunt Jemima! I get the "don't insult" rule, but this looks like terms George Carlin just couldn't take seriously enough to put in <i>his</i> list.<br /><br />BTW: the whole "ad hominem" enforcement approach is a bit sketchy. Reasonable people get it, others don't. It's like a post made in the sister thread in "Free Space" – by Calli herself, IIRC. In a discussion forum, there is <i>no</i> difference between calling someone an "idiot" and calling them "ignorant." The second the discussion turns away from the issue and a label is used by one party for the other, it's an "ad hominem."<br /><br />But let's be reasonable, right? Surely we can use "grades" of ad hominem, right? This is SDC, not diplomacy training for the State Department, right? Sure. We already know there are folk here that are masters at flying just under the radar, making streams of insinuations that insult just as much as blatant obscenities or profanities – but they get away with it because they're neither crude nor blunt. But an insult is still an insult. As soon as you have to specify acceptable terms, people start gaming the system.<br /><br />The problem isn't <b><i>what</i></b> terms are used, it's <b><i>that</i></b> terms are used. I understand wanting to keep the forums civil, but even Congress hears the occasional "Go **** yourself" from time to time. Trying to enforce "nice" is impossible after, say... <i>kindergarden.</i> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p style="font:normalnormalnormal12px/normalTimes;margin:0px"><strong>Mere precedent is a dangerous source of authority.</strong></p> <p style="font:normalnormalnormal12px/normalTimes;margin:0px">-Andrew Jackson (1767-1845)</p> </div>

 

[maxtheknife]

Zen: <font color="yellow">And although I cannot PROVE that MaxTheKnife is an awful golfer</font><br /><br />Lololol, if you were following me and had a camera available for the last few rounds I've played, you could! <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[CalliArcale]

Just to clarify, folks, this is list is meant as examples, and you shouldn't take it to mean that we're going to be mindless automata wiping out these words. There are times you can use these words in total safety. For instance, you can talk about conspiracies that make contrary evidence mysteriously go "poof", and you can discuss the deformed frogs in southern Minnesota, and of course it's perfectly fine to talk about butchering the English language. It's only when the terms are being used to degrade or harass that they're a problem. If you don't know any way these terms could be offensive, then you're probably safe, because you're not using them that way. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />Are there "levels of ad hominems"? Yes. We know it's easy to get worked up about stuff, and sometimes you say things you wouldn't otherwise. We're not gonna ban anybody for that, although we might edit out the nastiest bits of it and possibly send you a note. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> If somebody is consistently harassing somebody, we get more serious. Only in the most extreme cases (or in the case of spammers) do we haul out the ban button. Don't worry, we've got brains, and we're not afraid to use 'em!<br /><br />Mispelling is also okay in general. I wasn't meaning to sound like a grammar nazi. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> It's deliberately trying to bypass the profanity filter that's not okay. For instance, there is a certain word starting with "f" and ending in "k" which is a crass term for the act of sexual intercourse. That's in the profanity filter, obviously. You can dodge the filter by spelling it creatively, or by some slightly sneakier methods. We are already obliged to remove those sorts of things, but we've seen enough people keep on doing it that we felt an announcement was in order to make sure people were aware that that sort of thing wasn't acceptable.<br /><br />I hope this clears it up. Ideas, as always, are not banned. <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>

 

[pocket_rocket]

Firetruck?