Lyric Suite Posted February 17, 2006 Posted February 17, 2006 Words are tricky. It has a lot to do with context. There is a difference between using a word in a humorous way and using it in a negative way. Unfortunately "gay" is one of those words may be funny to use in certain contexts, but can also be very offensive. In order to prevent offending people, I've always recommended that it not be used in a humorous context. I feel the same way about a certain N word that is used racially. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Personally, i like when people get offended by things i say...
Dark Moth Posted February 17, 2006 Posted February 17, 2006 Yeah, and down goes freedom of speech. Banning somebody for using the word "gay" negatively is among the stupidest reasons. "Saying something like: "Why would you do that? That's so gay!" For one thing, the word used in that context has evolved into generally something that is stupid. If you're going to scream "homophobe"! and ban them everytime somebody says something like that, then you really need to reconsider your position. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Mass ignorance = acceptable. I love the logic! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> No, genius. My point was that with it being as pervasive as it is, it'd be impossible and pointless to ban everyone who uses the term "gay" negatively.
Shadowstrider Posted February 17, 2006 Posted February 17, 2006 (edited) It isn't impossible or pointless to ban people who use the term gay as a slander. The point is to show that it is not acceptable, and it is not impossible, GMs are in game all the time, and have the ability to kick anyone they see using it or if there is sufficient evidence pertaining to an individual. You may think you had a point, but your point was really that "because the disease is so widespread, we shouldn't treat it." Try again. Edited February 17, 2006 by Shadowstrider
metadigital Posted February 17, 2006 Posted February 17, 2006 [blizzard] would also have to educate all the kiddies about the fact that using the term "gay" in a negative way is, in fact, discrimination. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Naw, they just have to filter "gay" ... :D OBSCVRVM PER OBSCVRIVS ET IGNOTVM PER IGNOTIVS OPVS ARTIFICEM PROBAT
alanschu Posted February 17, 2006 Posted February 17, 2006 That is probably the most acceptable solution. They filter many other words. To be honest, I'm surprised that they don't filter it.
Shadowstrider Posted February 17, 2006 Posted February 17, 2006 [blizzard] would also have to educate all the kiddies about the fact that using the term "gay" in a negative way is, in fact, discrimination. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Naw, they just have to filter "gay" ... :D <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I prefer their current policy; shoot last and apologize when questioned. [/sarcasm]
BattleCookiee Posted February 17, 2006 Posted February 17, 2006 Naw, they just have to filter "gay" ... :D Sexual discrimination! BAN HIM!
Dark Moth Posted February 17, 2006 Posted February 17, 2006 It isn't impossible or pointless to ban people who use the term gay as a slander. The point is to show that it is not acceptable, and it is not impossible, GMs are in game all the time, and have the ability to kick anyone they see using it or if there is sufficient evidence pertaining to an individual. You may think you had a point, but your point was really that "because the disease is so widespread, we shouldn't treat it." Try again. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Actually no, I think I did have a point. You're just being gay about the whole issue.
Shadowstrider Posted February 17, 2006 Posted February 17, 2006 "I have no reply, so I'll call you gay." For the loss.
Gabrielle Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 [blizzard] would also have to educate all the kiddies about the fact that using the term "gay" in a negative way is, in fact, discrimination. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Naw, they just have to filter "gay" ... :D <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Dark Moth Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 "I have no reply, so I'll call you gay." For the loss. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> No, I just don't agree with your whole opinion on the matter. You don't have to be so gay about it.
Shadowstrider Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 I'm glad to see that this thread has lived up to the excessively low maturity level I've come to expect.
Dark Moth Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 I'd say one example of immaturity is thinking that you'll magically cure a problem by silencing all those who disagree with you.
alanschu Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 (edited) I'd be very surprised (to the point of outright disbelief...similar to Yst), if these people never used the phrase "That's retarded" when something silly happened. Edited February 18, 2006 by alanschu
Dark Moth Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 (edited) Bigots!! They should be banned!! Excellent point. Edited February 18, 2006 by Mothman
Shadowstrider Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 Retard means to slow or impede progress. If something is retarded, it means its progress has been slowed. It isn't bigotted.
Dark Moth Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 (edited) Retard means to slow or impede progress. If something is retarded, it means its progress has been slowed. It isn't bigotted. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Actually, "retard", when describing a person, is more of a derogatory term, also usually offensive when applied to describe the mentally handicapped. That's common knowledge, unless you're living in fantasy land. Also, if you think I'm making this up, LINK Edited February 18, 2006 by Mothman
metadigital Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 Naw, they just have to filter "gay" ... :D Sexual discrimination! BAN HIM! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Um, I trust you realise I was adocating banning the troglodytes from using "gay" as a derogatory comment, and not for genuine uses ... after all, homosexual wouldn't be banned. Then again, the Mods could just track all uses, and give warnings for inappropriate uses. It could be the best social ameliorator ever created ...! :cool: OBSCVRVM PER OBSCVRIVS ET IGNOTVM PER IGNOTIVS OPVS ARTIFICEM PROBAT
Hurlshort Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 I'd be very surprised (to the point of outright disbelief...similar to Yst), if these people never used the phrase "That's retarded" when something silly happened. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> After working with mentally disabled students, I conditioned myself to remove that word from my vocabulary. I don't think it's cool to take any word that defines a special group and use it as a slur. It belittles those people and whoever you are throwing the term at. I have no problem calling someone an idiot. That term is designated specifically for idiots, and so it doesn't belittle anyone other than the person being an idiot.
metadigital Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 Yep there are plenty of words for idioicy ... OBSCVRVM PER OBSCVRIVS ET IGNOTVM PER IGNOTIVS OPVS ARTIFICEM PROBAT
Dark Moth Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 (edited) It isn't Blizzard's place to suddenly become the "moral educator" on the internet. Banning everyone who uses the word "gay" negatively for one thing will not solve the problem. There will always be people doing it. Then of course you'd have to ban those who say anything even remotely offensive, such as saying things like "retarded" negatively, of saying "Jesus Christ" as a swear word. Blizzard is not an ethicator, it's a business. In fact, one could easily say Blizzard shouldn't have to apologize, because it's their game community, and they are free to do what they wish. And if you think I'm advocating Blizzard to permit people to say horribly offensive things online, I'm not. I'm saying I think it's stupid and pointless to ban them for trite things such as what we're debating here. And I'll say it again, silencing those whom you disagree with will never solve the problem. That was the lesson of Fahrenheit 451. A person's views will, in the vast majority of circumstances, not be changed by the policies enforced by a game company. Blizzard will not cleanse the population of homophobes just by hitting the might "ban" button. The only way to counter bad ideas is with better ideas. They are a business, for one thing, not a school. Maybe in a more ideal world something like this might work, but not so now. Edited February 18, 2006 by Mothman
metadigital Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 So why do message boards employ the same process? If all the ill-users of English were banned form their favourite game, or even had their levels docked (or even retarded by extra XP requirements), that might help ... OBSCVRVM PER OBSCVRIVS ET IGNOTVM PER IGNOTIVS OPVS ARTIFICEM PROBAT
Shadowstrider Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 So why do message boards employ the same process? If all the ill-users of English were banned form their favourite game, or even had their levels docked (or even retarded by extra XP requirements), that might help ... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Logic is lost here, sadly.
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