Language/Profanity being used on Fishlore

HI everyone,
Lately, it seems the mods are spending a fair bit of time editing posts to remove profanity, or cleaning-up posts after the system has censored a word, and ultimately, sending warnings to our members - not something we enjoy doing

A reminder of Fishlore Rule #2:

2. We will not tolerate posts that are sexually related or posts that use profanity. Do not use curse words in your posts. Most will be blocked. Don't use initials or special characters to circumvent the system to spell out inappropriate words either we still consider it using profanity. This forum can be read by the general public and as such, children have access to this forum. Posts of this nature will get your account and IP address banned and may result in further action. Let's keep it clean.

Whether you find a term acceptable or not is irrelevant, if it is likely to offend, or otherwise inappropriate language (including urban slang), don't use it!

If the language is not fit for a G rated film/cartoon, chances are, it's not appropriate for Fishlore, so don't use it!

It may sound a little draconian, but we all agreed to the rules when we signed up. Fishlore is free to the world, and whilst membership is restricted to 13 years and above (by law), the forum is viewable to anyone with an internet connection.

Please, keep it clean and respect your fellow Fishlorians.



If you see a post that contains inappropriate language/content, please report it: https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...-i-report-spam-and-inappropriate-posts.15713/

 

You can adjust your wardrobe to dress for the occasion, it's even easier to do with your vocabulary.

 

I vote one warning and then ban them.
I'm 30+ and I swear like a sailor at home so if I can censor myself anyone can.

 

I vote one warning and then ban them.
I'm 30+ and I swear like a sailor at home so if I can censor myself anyone can.

Ya I've got a bad mouth as well but when it comes to typing out thoughtful posts I have time to think before something gets posted

 

It's unfortunate.....I myself don't swear at all in real life, so it's easy not to swear for me.

 

I know that words can have different meanings in different countries but I often see the word 'spaz' or 'spazzed' being used here & I cringe every time I see it.
Here in the Uk it's a very offensive word derived from the original name of The Spastics Society, a charity for people with cerebral palsy, the society even changed its name because of the word being used as an insult

From Wikipaedia "The offensiveness of spastic and spaz differs considerably between the US and the UK. In the United States, the terms are inoffensive; in the UK, they are typically taken as denigrating references to those with cerebral palsy, and consequently University of Sussex linguist Lynne Murphy has described spastic as "one of the most taboo insults to a British ear"[1] and in a 2003 survey by the BBC it was voted the second-most offensive word relating to disability (after retard).[2][3] "


Is there any chance that word could go on the blocked word list or at least ask people to refrain from using it? I'm sure I'm not the only one that finds it offensive

 

While I do agree, I think that since here in the US/other countries it's not as offensive or considered a swear, it'd cause confusion with the US members......and people would be warned (or banned) for using a "swear word" that they didn't know was one. Do you see what I'm saying? It's kind of hard to put into words......

 

Why does american english rate more important then British English. The only gripe I have with fishlore is how they censor certain topics or words.

Personally I believe that you can not say one word is insulting in one language but because another word is not insulting in that same language it shouldn't be censored. I don't mean any offense to mike or to the mods but don't tell me that because its ok in the USA its right or vice verca.

 

Not everyone knows what may or may not be insulting in other countries. If you penalize people for things they don't know is bad, it's unfair to that person.
Edit: also, I'm pretty sure the best way of doing this (maybe FL is already doing it) is banning the profanity that is known profanity in multiple countries.

 

I had no idea spaz was offensive in the UK. I will endevour not to use it. I think the key here is to have an open dialog. The beautiful thing about the internet is that we are connected like never before. With that connection though requires a level of thoughtfulness and grace. Thanks for teaching me something today, and let's all believe the best in each other, slow to get offended and quick to offer guidance as we all share our love of the aquarium hobby.

 

I will be in the minority here but that is fine. I understand not using profanity or being obscene because of children. However I'm so tired of everyone being offended by every other word in the dictionary. obviously the UK is different but America is supposed to have freedom of speech. people say things I don't like all the time but that doesn't mean that they have don't have the right to say it. I have better things to do than worry about what everyone else says. just my opinion

 

HI everyone,
Each language has its own nuances. And each country has various interpretations of words, even within a country, different regions have different interpretations.

Not looking to incite a riot or initiate a mutiny here, but in the USA
"the freedom of speech is not absolute; the Supreme Court of the United States has recognized several categories of speech that are excluded from the freedom, and it has recognized that governments may enact reasonable time, place, or manner restrictions on speech"


In Australia, the use of profanity/obscenity/offensive language in public places is illegal, and you can be fined.

Certain topics here on Fishlore are not permitted for various reasons. Some because they may upset our membership, others because they are just inappropriate for a forum about fish keeping, and some because, whilst they are interesting topics, history has taught us that it just escalates very quickly into hatred/flaming etc.

On the language front, sometimes it's the moderators' initiative to edit, in other cases, it's often a case of a post having been reported, and the moderators reacting. This means that before a mod has even seen it, someone has already been offended.

One common thing that seems to be coming through is the use of urban slang/abbreviations. It's easy to become immune to the language when it's initialised. One good example is LOL. It means Laugh Out Loud - I ask you, when you use it, how many times are you actually laughing out loud, most times, you'll be having a silent chuckle

EDIT: And if you feel a moderator's action is unjustified, please, send a PM, I'm sure we can explain the reasoning.

 

One good example is LOL. It means Laugh Out Loud - I ask you, when you use it, how many times are you actually laughing out loud, most times, you'll be having a silent chuckle

Indeed.