Controlled profanity on AnandTech: Yes or No?

[riahc3]

I was recently banned for using 1 profane word twice in a post.

Now Ive been on the internet a LONG time and most sites do not admit profanity but solve the problem by for example automatically replacing the F word with "****". Simple solution and noone even has to interven.

Another solution is a "NSFW" (Not Safe For Work) mode. This filters all profanity, adult topics, etc. from showing up.

Im going to copy/paste some parts of a PM Ive sent so excuse me if the wording is incorrect.

First, profanity/curse words are very debatable as we see cartoons saying ae es es on live TV yet sometimes that same word is censored in popular music. What might be one for you might not be one for me, etc.

Banning for using 1 or 2 profanity/curse words is just like not allowing a neon green-yellow SUV to drive the streets; Its ugly but that doesnt mean it cant be OK to someone else.

Of course I am against a post that is basically "F this. F that. This fing sit doesn fing work. f ms. they are aholes" etc....There has to be a responsability.

But saying something like "Man this program is s. Bad documentation, bad layout" should be allowed.

One of the rules here say:

6) Foul language in topic titles, summaries or sigs and excessive foul language is not permitted. With uncensored language comes an increased requirement for responsibility among users. Moderator discretion applies.

And the problem is: What is exactly "excessive foul language"? Because one person might say it is 2 words..............while another might say it is 9..............while another might say it depends on the context.

I mean, I imagine its for the kids and all that but another example that comes to mind: Iron Man 2. Iron Man 2 is rated PG-13. Officially "Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers." One of the sentences in that movie is what I said "That software is st". Are there actually regular users on AndandTech below the age of 13?

On that note, COPPA; Any child under 13 must send in verified consent by their parents that they can view and use this site. Parents know that once a child is on the internet, he will see things that cannot be unseen. It is a parent's responsability to first teach their child what sites to visit and what sites NOT to visit and to know that in a tech oriented website there might be language that is for adults and adults will use all of the english language that is avaliable for them.

And like I mention, I do not know of ANY tech website with a forum that doesnt apply at least a profane filter.

I just wanted to know what the rest of the members thought about this. Should profanity, as long as it is controlled not abused and filtered out, be allowed on AnandTech?

Thank you and sorry for the long post

 

[olds]

What forum was it in? Generally, profanity isn't allowed in the non-social forums.

 

[riahc3]

What forum was it in? Generally, profanity isn't allowed in the non-social forums.

I know. This is to propose a change.

 

[olds]

Then it's in the wrong thread. I also oppose the change.

 

[riahc3]

Then it's in the wrong thread. I also oppose the change.

Well, it would be nice to hear why you would like the change or why you would not like the change...

 

[olds]

Well, it would be nice to hear why you would like the change or why you would not like the change...

I use profanity everyday. But it's not appropriate in the tech forums as it adds nothing to the discussion and it detracts from the "professionalism" of the forums. It is possible to post a negative opinion, though or idea without using profanity.

 

[DrPizza]

Some profanity is allowed in the social forums (off topic and politics and news). As many would like to browse the technical forums from their workplaces, we strive to keep it very SFW. And, we prefer the discussions to remain civil in the technical forums. The vast majority of posters seem quite capable of following those expectations. Are you suggesting that you don't have enough self control to not curse in the technical forums? Further, language filters are easily defeated.

 

[Chaotic42]

I use profanity everyday. But it's not appropriate in the tech forums as it adds nothing to the discussion and it detracts from the "professionalism" of the forums. It is possible to post a negative opinion, though or idea without using profanity.

I agree

 

[Railgun]

Some profanity is allowed in the social forums (off topic and politics and news). As many would like to browse the technical forums from their workplaces, we strive to keep it very SFW. And, we prefer the discussions to remain civil in the technical forums. The vast majority of posters seem quite capable of following those expectations. Are you suggesting that you don't have enough self control to not curse in the technical forums? Further, language filters are easily defeated.

I think sfw, or nsfw for that matter is a misnomer. Guaranteed no one has anandtech on an approved list as a site that's work related. But I digress.

The filters are there for the occasional, call it slip up. Those that purposely defeat them put the mods in the same boat as though the filter didn't exist at all, at which case the appropriate action is still taken.

I see it as an easier job by not worrying about a few *** that exist.

Second to that, I would hardly liken this to anything professional for users. This isn't a work environment, it's an informational/enthusiast site that everyone and their brother has access too. If it wants to claim a higher standard, then the technical forums should be locked to paying members, in the industry or a related field. If a few swear words are a concern, then lock it to verified 18+ folks.

But I digress again...

 

[riahc3]

I use profanity everyday. But it's not appropriate in the tech forums as it adds nothing to the discussion and it detracts from the "professionalism" of the forums. It is possible to post a negative opinion, though or idea without using profanity.

The english language has a lot of words. Why limit it because it seems profane?

Why do we say something is "very red"? Why not say it is "red" and be done with it? Because we want to emphasize a point.

With profanity (correctly used), points can be emphasized. I dont condone using profanity randomly and/or against members. No. I just think of it as a tool for a certain place and time.

Some profanity is allowed in the social forums (off topic and politics and news). As many would like to browse the technical forums from their workplaces, we strive to keep it very SFW. And, we prefer the discussions to remain civil in the technical forums. The vast majority of posters seem quite capable of following those expectations. Are you suggesting that you don't have enough self control to not curse in the technical forums? Further, language filters are easily defeated.

The point of this site is a technical forum. People should not be at their workplaces viewing off topic and politics and news. They should be doing it on their own time, just like browsing this website.

Its not about following a expectation. Its about letting something slip or using a word once.

Anyone trying to defeat a language filter should get a ban. Someone posting 1 or 2 profanity words should NEVER get a ban.

If you think about it, you are applying the same consequences to someone posting warez. Would you appoint the death penalty to someone who stole a loaf of bread just like you would to a mass murderer?

I think sfw, or nsfw for that matter is a misnomer. Guaranteed no one has anandtech on an approved list as a site that's work related. But I digress.

The filters are there for the occasional, call it slip up. Those that purposely defeat them put the mods in the same boat as though the filter didn't exist at all, at which case the appropriate action is still taken.

I see it as an easier job by not worrying about a few *** that exist.

Second to that, I would hardly liken this to anything professional for users. This isn't a work environment, it's an informational/enthusiast site that everyone and their brother has access too. If it wants to claim a higher standard, then the technical forums should be locked to paying members, in the industry or a related field. If a few swear words are a concern, then lock it to verified 18+ folks.

But I digress again...

Great post. I agree on almost every point.

 

[cabri]

Many years ago, an English teacher (High School I believe) advised that if one has to resort to using profanity to make a point; then there exists a vocabulary problem.
When it becomes embedded into the communication stream, there is a vocabulary problem.

To many people now days use profanity as a natural part of the language which dulls the impact and also creates an impression of their language capabilities.

 

[ThinClient]

I use profanity everyday. But it's not appropriate in the tech forums as it adds nothing to the discussion and it detracts from the "professionalism" of the forums. It is possible to post a negative opinion, though or idea without using profanity.

I'm not paid to be professional on this forum. This forum isn't "professional" for anyone except for those who run the forum, which is a different discussion.

 

[John Connor]

I allow profanity on my forum. LOL! After years of wantig my own forum I am now in control!

I think the excessive BS crap on profanity is stupid. I said FaceF**K and F**k in one post and got two infractions for that crap.

Screw censorship!

 

[riahc3]

Many years ago, an English teacher (High School I believe) advised that if one has to resort to using profanity to make a point; then there exists a vocabulary problem.
When it becomes embedded into the communication stream, there is a vocabulary problem.

To many people now days use profanity as a natural part of the language which dulls the impact and also creates an impression of their language capabilities.

Then your english teacher was not truely a english teacher.

English or any other languages has a ton of words to describe a ton of situations.

If we want to even get biblical, "d**n" is a very old word. In fact, "profanity" itself is "offensive words, or religious words, used in a way that shows you do not respect God or holy things". As far as I know, nothing on this forum is holy.

Profanity is VERY old (1500 and before Im sure) so what exactly defines historic and modern profanity?

I allow profanity on my forum. LOL! After years of wantig my own forum I am now in control!

I think the excessive BS crap on profanity is stupid. I said FaceF**K and F**k in one post and got two infractions for that crap.

Screw censorship!

Just to clarify, do you allow the full form of it or do you also replace it with "****"?

 

[tential]

I post here because of how clean the boards are. I really would be against any rule changes on this.

It's not that I'm against swearing (Lord knows I'm not I curse a LOT, more than I'd like too even lol), but I like that anandtech is a nice clean board to post tech on.

It's not perfect by any means, but it's better than most other places I've been to. Even the social sections are nice.

I'm sure there are other forums that do tech that allow profanity if you would like that type of discussion.

 

[John Connor]

Just to clarify, do you allow the full form of it or do you also replace it with "****"?

The full FING thing! I have no filters. I can though, but I can give a rat's azz.

 

[master_shake_]

i got an infraction for swearing in the tech forum and i deserved it.

no need for a change imo

 

[riahc3]

I post here because of how clean the boards are. I really would be against any rule changes on this.

It's not that I'm against swearing (Lord knows I'm not I curse a LOT, more than I'd like too even lol), but I like that anandtech is a nice clean board to post tech on.

It's not perfect by any means, but it's better than most other places I've been to. Even the social sections are nice.

I'm sure there are other forums that do tech that allow profanity if you would like that type of discussion.

My proposal is not to let out a all out F bomb war here.

My proposal is more towards filters. Most boards like I said, use ****. Other boards, use things like word replacing. "I have to go take a rainbow. BTW" I think you would like that as it keeps the forum clean and replaces some funny sentences. Others, Valve comes to mind, uses emoticons.

I use dont think that its fair that a words slips and you get banned for it.

 

[tential]

My proposal is not to let out a all out F bomb war here.

My proposal is more towards filters. Most boards like I said, use ****. Other boards, use things like word replacing. "I have to go take a rainbow. BTW" I think you would like that as it keeps the forum clean and replaces some funny sentences. Others, Valve comes to mind, uses emoticons.

I use dont think that its fair that a words slips and you get banned for it.

It's not hard to censor yourself on a particular part of the forum. Unless you have zero self restraint, you can stop yourself from inappropriate language in the technical part of the forum.
Using ****s or an emoticon doesn't really change it.

 

[cabri]

My proposal is not to let out a all out F bomb war here.

My proposal is more towards filters. Most boards like I said, use ****. Other boards, use things like word replacing. "I have to go take a rainbow. BTW" I think you would like that as it keeps the forum clean and replaces some funny sentences. Others, Valve comes to mind, uses emoticons.

I use dont think that its fair that a words slips and you get banned for it.

If you do not have the self control and/or the ability to proof read what you post; then you deserve the punishment.

The words are not slipping out.

You have to think, write and post.

You just do not like having to be mature and responsible for your actions.

 

[riahc3]

It's not hard to censor yourself on a particular part of the forum. Unless you have zero self restraint, you can stop yourself from inappropriate language in the technical part of the forum.
Using ****s or an emoticon doesn't really change it.

Again, most profanity isnt intentional it slips out. The filter is made for that. To filter it out.

If you do not have the self control and/or the ability to proof read what you post; then you deserve the punishment.

The words are not slipping out.

You have to think, write and post.

You just do not like having to be mature and responsible for your actions.

Punishment for profanity?

Like I said, lets jail someone who steals bread like a murder
More accurately, lets ban someone who uses ONE word of profanity to someone that posts a link to warez.

It is not the same thing.

Mature and being responsible is using a profane word at the right moment and the right time. Not using any profanty at all (or even limiting your english vocabulary) means you cannot evolve and stay a child forever.