Am I just being over PC about certain words used here?

[BrettArchibald]

Within the past mere 10 minutes, I have come across two separate posts on this site where people had used the words "gay" and "retarded" to convey their negative feelings towards a couple of games...

Now I really wouldn't call myself an overly PC person at the best of times, but jeez, I *DO* draw the line somewhere, and I think using those words in that context is a bit much.

And no, I'm neither gay nor retarded myself, in case anyone was wondering whether I had taken offence personally...

Is it just me? What's next? Calling a game "a bit too black for my liking"...???

[pablo19]

Within the past mere 10 minutes, I have come across two separate posts on this site where people had used the words "gay" and "retarded" to convey their negative feelings towards a couple of games...

Now I really wouldn't call myself an overly PC person at the best of times, but jeez, I *DO* draw the line somewhere, and I think using those words in that context is a bit much.

And no, I'm neither gay nor retarded myself, in case anyone was wondering whether I had taken offence personally...

Is it just me? What's next? Calling a game "a bit too black for my liking"...???

what do you mean by "overly PC"?

And I agree with everything else but this isn't news sadly the internet is a breeding ground for those types of comments

[BrettArchibald]

what do you mean by "overly PC"?

PC = "Politically-correct"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_correctness


And I agree with everything else but this isn't news sadly the internet is a breeding ground for those types of comments

Yeah, I know, it's unfortunate. :(
But I suppose what I'm asking here is, should the mods jump on this, or should we just ignore these kids...?

[Mr. Charley]

I hear you, and agree with you.
I think maybe we as users should report that we find the post offensive.

[pablo19]

PC = "Politically-correct"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_correctness




Yeah, I know, it's unfortunate. :(
But I suppose what I'm asking here is, should the mods jump on this, or should we just ignore these kids...?

I already replied to him with a link to this thread (the person who posted "gay"). But I guess only thing you can do is report them, and them getting a warning, which is a good thing, but most people don't report b/c they are kind of afraid everyone hates them after.

[Thorero]

Brett, I entirely agree with you. There is a limit to describing things, and this passes that limit. How about "The game was way too Red Neck for me...." I'm not any of the things listed above, but I imagine if I was Homosexual, or Mentally Retarded, I would take offense to these terms being used on what's meant to be a nice, civil forum.

Pablo, by overly PC he's wondering if he's being to Politically Correct.

EDIT

Wow, I thought I typed that out rather quickly. Sorry for describing PC again.

[pablo19]

Pablo, by overly PC he's wondering if he's being to Politically Correct.

Yeah, I've got that, he explained in his next post, I was wondering cause I thought he meant windows.

[organerito]

I like this forum because most of the people are polite and patient. However, it is getting like the Ipod Touch Fans Forums.

You don't have to agree with everybody, but we should respect each other. I just don't understand why some people are so angry.

[PointOfLight]

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one bothered by this (though would it be offensive if I described Hill Billy as "too Redneck"? - j/k :D)

[s0mah]

Is it just me? What's next? Calling a game "a bit too black for my liking"...???

No, but I'm sure that you could easily get away with:

The graphics were cheap, and the whole production was ghetto.

imo, essentially no difference between the statements.

[BrettArchibald]

Is it just me? What's next? Calling a game "a bit too black for my liking"...???

No, but I'm sure that you could easily get away with:
The graphics were cheap, and the whole production was ghetto.
imo, essentially no difference between the statements.

So what are you saying? Only black people live in ghettos?

[wastedyuthe]

I completely agree about certain words used. The "gay" comment has now been changed by the poster to be fair to them, so I have now changed the quotes on it too, and removed the post from Pablo which directly refers to that comment as it is now redundant.
I also changed the "retarded" comment to "silly".
Using these words for description in this manner is not right. If anyone does see any more, then just report the post and we'll do the rest ;)

[NotYou]

Personally, I believe political correctness can be more of a problem than anything. I went to school in San Francisco where they are EXTREMELY liberal and always try to be politically correct. I think it's great that they're trying to create equality, but the hot word over there is "tolerance." They use it to mean that we should all get along, but it really means that we should just put up with each other and hide our feelings. It creates tons of passive aggressive tension.

I do think that we should all get along and put up with each other, but I don't see the need to pretend you don't feel a certain way when you really do. Pretending you're not prejudice isn't going to help anything. Lynching people for using politically incorrect words is just an attempt to hide the problem. One the other end of that, you really shouldn't get offended by something a complete stranger says.

I'm talking about the outside world here, not the forums.

As far as the forums go, I won't delete something unless I think it's actually offensive to someone. If I get a report about a post, I'll definitely delete it or edit it.

I think this is a good discussion. Don't think I'm trying to be opinionated here. I'm actually curious how others feel about it.

[wastedyuthe]

...you really shouldn't get offended by something a complete stranger says.

A statement I completely disagree with.

As far as the forums go, I won't delete something unless I think it's actually offensive to someone. If I get a report about a post, I'll definitely delete it or edit it.

Something I do agree with. That's why I said what I said in my last post. If someone is offended, report the post and we'll deal with it.

[NotYou]

A statement I completely disagree with.

I definitely don't practice that all the time. If I hear a public figure say something that I personally find offensive, I get very irritated. If it's just some random person... let's just say I've been known to get in people's faces... especially when I lived in New York City. But that's another story... actually, that's quite a few stories.:rolleyes:


What I was getting at in my statement, though, was that people will think and say things we don't like all the time, but you cant take offense to all of it. You can have pride and keep a stiff upper lip at the same time. A lot of it is cultural too. I know that opinions on this topic vary greatly in different countries. It even varies between different areas of the US. Where I grew up, passive aggressiveness was pretty much unheard of. People didn't generally hide it when they had a problem with somebody else. When I lived in California and New York, it completely the other way around.

[Vende]

I disagree. Never ever censor yourself (well, other than the obvious i.e. shouting fire in a crowded theater or if you might get fired/in trouble for your rhetoric). People need to get thicker skin, and I don't like the idea of someone else telling me what I can and cannot say.

[The Game Reaper]

Some phrases used in the threads are completely uncalled for. In Ireland the kids use the term 'gay' as an everyday offence to anyone who's different. For starters it's not what gay actually means and secondly there's nothing wrong being a homosexual. I'm not gay but I can imagine what they have go through in today's society. It's quite ironic, the people who call people gay usually have gay tendencies themselves.

[s0mah]

So what are you saying? Only black people live in ghettos?

Nope, but thxthx for attempting to color me a racist (also for the slight dose of poison in my wells). There is however, a popular public inference that 'black' and 'ghetto' are almost entirely synonomous. I'm speaking entirely from an American prospective, btw.

Which is slightly ironic imo, seeing as how 'American' has become such a popular synonym for the word, 'ignorant' around the world.

Blah, blah, blah.

My very loose (loose like hookers? rhyming with noose?) point is something like this:

Anyone can find anything offensive about everything.

Initially, you said 'black'.

I'm offended that you didn't use the afro- prefix. ie. African-American, Afro-Japanese, whatever, whatever. etc, etc, infinity, infinity.

Fire extinguishers retard, and Jet magazine has what's new in ghetto chic. My tag was invalid, but I parked there anyways for the sake of my invalid grandmother's convenience. It's not yet springtime, but I still feel pretty, witty, and gay.

I hope that your black (lol), fascist markers have enough ink to scribble out everything.

[Vende]

My point is that people are overely sensitive and there are way too many non-PC words to keep track of, so why bother? For cyring out loud, calling someone deaf or blind are now supposedly insulting; we're supposed to say they are instead hearing or visual impaired.

I mean, is it just me or is that retarded.

[highonlife]

OK, you guys need to realize you're going totally overboard.

Retarded means slow/delayed/decelerated. Do you guys call the city when you drive by a sign that prohibits brake retarding? Calling a game retarded shouldn't offend anyone. It just means it was stupid, or they didn't like it. You are definitely trying too hard to be politically correct in this situation.

I can see how people could be affected by gay, but there's no reason to censor it or report it as a violation on the forums.

I wish more people on the internet worked a real blue collar job for a week so they could get an idea as to what life outside their cozy universities and khaki jobs is like. I live in one of the highest per capita income counties in all of America and go to a very esteemed university, and I can't help but shake my head reading this pathetic little PC **** measuring contest.

[pablo19]

OK, you guys need to realize you're going totally overboard.

Retarded means slow/delayed/decelerated. Do you guys call the city when you drive by a sign that prohibits brake retarding? Calling a game retarded shouldn't offend anyone. It just means it was stupid, or they didn't like it. You are definitely trying too hard to be politically correct in this situation.

I can see how people could be affected by gay, but there's no reason to censor it or report it as a violation on the forums.

I wish more people on the internet worked a real blue collar job for a week so they could get an idea as to what life outside their cozy universities and khaki jobs is like. I live in one of the highest per capita income counties in all of America and go to a very esteemed university, and I can't help but shake my head reading this pathetic little PC **** measuring contest.
Retarded:

–adjective
1. characterized by retardation: a retarded child.
–noun
2. (used with a plural verb) mentally retarded persons collectively (usually prec. by the): new schools for the retarded.

[s0mah]

there's nothing wrong being a homosexual.

Correct.

I'm not gay but I can imagine what they have go through in today's society

This is what really makes me lolololol.

Because you can imagine the effects of homophobia, you suddenly are tapped into the collective consciousness of every gay, lesbian, and bi person on the planet and share similar sensibilities.

How do you come to that conclusion? Where did that entitlement come from?

I think that this would be a good question to ask, I mean for the sake of relevancy:

Did any gay people take any actual offense to the statment?

If not:

How long can we continue the selfrighteous rhetoric? Like, I'm running out of Propaghandi mp3s.

[pablo19]

Correct.



This is what really makes me lolololol.

Because you can imagine the effects of homophobia, you suddenly are tapped into the collective consciousness of every gay, lesbian, and bi person on the planet and share similar sensibilities.

How do you come to that conclusion? Where did that entitlement come from?

I think that this would be a good question to ask, I mean for the sake of relevancy:

Did any gay people take any actual offense to the statment?

If not:

How long can we continue the selfrighteous rhetoric? Like, I'm running out of Propaghandi mp3s.

Well, I would assume that if he lived in a place where there were mostly homosexuals and they would use the word "hetero" as something to describe stuff they don't like, that he would feel kinda bad.

Also somebody said that the people who say stuff like "gay" and "retarded" hate gay and retarded people, that is not true in my opinion. I'm sure that most people who use the terms have absolutely nothing against gay or retarded people, but have become so used to hearing the word that way that they have started to use it too.

Hope that makes sense

[DHrox]

I think the worst comments on here are not just the ones with "retard" and "gay", but the ones with ""sh*t" and crap like that. I don't apreciate reading someone's post when they say, "This was sh*t!" One could say, "This was crap/bad!" Expletives are unnecessary.

[pablo19]

I think the worst comments on here are not just the ones with "retard" and "gay", but the ones with ""sh*t" and crap like that. I don't apreciate reading someone's post when they say, "This was sh*t!" One could say, "This was crap/bad!" Expletives are unnecessary.
what's wrong with bad?

[DHrox]

No, I was saying that "bad" could be an alternative to cussing.

[pablo19]

No, I was saying that "bad" could be an alternative to cussing.

Got it. ;)

[s0mah]

I think the worst comments on here are not just the ones with "retard" and "gay", but the ones with ""sh*t" and crap like that. I don't apreciate reading someone's post when they say, "This was sh*t!" One could say, "This was crap/bad!" Expletives are unnecessary.

DHrox, I like you, and I enjoy your posts. I'm making this clear up front, because of the internet's natural ability to destroy jkjk;););)jk type undertones (with special predeliction concerning this type of conversation).

Anyways.

What kind of ammo is the shitgun in Hill Billy gonna use?

Are you still waiting for it?

[DHrox]

IDK about the ammo, but now I'm saving up for it AND waiting for it. And thanks for the comment!

EDIT: Just realized your joke. Nice, you pulled a fast one on me!:O:P

[BrettArchibald]

I'm offended that you didn't use the afro- prefix. ie. African-American, Afro-Japanese, whatever, whatever. etc, etc, infinity, infinity.

Yes, well, there's a very good example of a point I made in my original post about how I'm not actually all *that* PC myself, because that particular usage bugs the crap out of me!
I do agree with the point you were *alluding* to there, because Africa is a continent and being African implies that you're from that continent.
I myself was born and raised in Zimbabwe, a country in Africa, and I'm proud to call myself both a Zimbabwean (despite what that cock Mugabe has done to the place!) and an African. But I am white. Does that mean I can't call myself African? Like hell it does!

When the term African-American is used to describe a black American who has never set foot in the damn continent, I do think that is indeed a case of being overly politically-correct.
There's nothing wrong with being called black, just as there's nothing wrong with being called white.

Aaaaaaaaanyway... :rolleyes:

It's all opinions isn't it? And that's what I was asking for in the OP...

[BrettArchibald]

I'm sure that most people who use the terms have absolutely nothing against gay or retarded people, but have become so used to hearing the word that way that they have started to use it too.

Oh absolutely. I fully believe that too. It doesn't make it OK though.
The ignorance on the relaxed and thoughtless usage of such words in a crowd of people who may not appreciate them is what the "problem" is.

It's all about there being a right time and place for everything. I'm OK with calling my best friend a c*cks*cker, to his face, and he's OK with it too, because he knows I'm just kidding around.
But I'm not gonna come on the TA forums and start calling other people around here c*cks*ckers, no matter whether I'm joking or not.

I just feel that what *should* be a nice friendly forum is not a place to use words that, come on, let's face it, are quite obviously considered offensive by most people, when mis-used.

[The Game Reaper]

Correct.



This is what really makes me lolololol.

Because you can imagine the effects of homophobia, you suddenly are tapped into the collective consciousness of every gay, lesbian, and bi person on the planet and share similar sensibilities.

How do you come to that conclusion? Where did that entitlement come from?

I think that this would be a good question to ask, I mean for the sake of relevancy:

Did any gay people take any actual offense to the statment?

If not:

How long can we continue the selfrighteous rhetoric? Like, I'm running out of
Propaghandi mp3s.

I think what you're trying to get at there is: Who am I to talk about gay people if I'm not gay. Well I have been subject to rascism so therefore I can imagine how it feels having felt these emotions myself. Also, I don't understand how my comment would offend gay people.

They weren't always called blonde jokes...

[Myrobotwillneverdie]

I hear you, and agree with you.
I think maybe we as users should report that we find the post offensive.

I also agree, however, i've flagged a few posts now, and they have gone unchanged. I'm not sure if if im not being taken seriously, or maybe, the mods dont care. either way, I think it reflects badly on the reputation of this site and its members, when a guest, or current user looks through the forums and finds, " yea, I played this game for a bit, and the graphics are gay".

Just my opinion, personally, I strive to be a little more progressive than this.

Also, many claim TA to be "heavily moderated". but examples kinda prove otherwise.

[pablo19]

I also agree, however, i've flagged a few posts now, and they have gone unchanged. I'm not sure if if im not being taken seriously, or maybe, the mods dont care. either way, I think it reflects badly on the reputation of this site and its members, when a guest, or current user looks through the forums and finds, " yea, I played this game for a bit, and the graphics are gay".

Just my opinion, personally, I strive to be a little more progressive than this.

Also, many claim TA to be "heavily moderated". but examples kinda prove otherwise.
Well, SalsaMD, wastedyuthe, notyou... all of them do a great job at keeping threads on topic and adding additional video links and info to specific game posts.

[Tennisking1o1]

Well, SalsaMD, wastedyuthe, notyou... all of them do a great job at keeping threads on topic and adding additional video links and info to specific game posts.

Yea, for 3 mods and 2 admins, all of them having their own jobs and lives, this site is running surprisingly well and I tip my hat to each and every one of them. As for these words, they're really immature and people are expected to outgrow using them by the time they hit high school, or just not use them at all. All these kids posting those words are clearly just young, and I'm not saying it's OK, but they just need to grow up some and realize something as simple as saying "stupid" online on these forums works better than saying "gay" or "retarded".

[Fletch]

Ya, sadly, to the American youth today both gay and retarded are considered synonyms to stupid...

[rich_952000]

PC = "Politically-correct"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_correctness




Yeah, I know, it's unfortunate. :(
But I suppose what I'm asking here is, should the mods jump on this, or should we just ignore these kids...?


A friendly bit of advice: I'd watch what you quote Brett, a friend of mine was banned permanently for just such an action......

[BrettArchibald]

A friendly bit of advice: I'd watch what you quote Brett, a friend of mine was banned permanently for just such an action......

Huh? What have I quoted that you're referring to there...? :confused:

[rich_952000]

Huh? What have I quoted that you're referring to there...? :confused:

No, no, no. I may have been unclear. My buddy edng, was banned permanently for quoting an expletive, that another member used; I'm simply saying I would be careful even quoting words such as those.

I do agree with the thread topic, people here should understand that anything deemed discriminatory has no reason to be used here, a video game forum site.:rolleyes:

[wastedyuthe]

No, no, no. I may have been unclear. My buddy edng, was banned permanently for quoting an expletive, I'm simply saying I would be careful even quoting words such as those.

No, EDNG was banned for other reasons (which we won't go into). In this case, quoting these words because they are the reason for the discussion is fine.

[rich_952000]

No, EDNG was banned for other reasons (which we won't go into). In this case, quoting these words because they are the reason for the discussion is fine.

Thanks for that point of clarification yuthe. Long time no see;)

[brewstermax]

Within the past mere 10 minutes, I have come across two separate posts on this site where people had used the words "gay" and "retarded" to convey their negative feelings towards a couple of games...

Now I really wouldn't call myself an overly PC person at the best of times, but jeez, I *DO* draw the line somewhere, and I think using those words in that context is a bit much.

And no, I'm neither gay nor retarded myself, in case anyone was wondering whether I had taken offence personally...

Is it just me? What's next? Calling a game "a bit too black for my liking"...???

You have too look at it in context. Plus to the immature younger generation, "gay" and "retarded" are signs that is isn't any good. Basically conveying that they dislike it as much as a gay and/or retarded person. It is really dumb, and I think that something needs to be done to all the little children that so through these forums making defamatory comments. It is ridiculous.

[brewstermax]

No, EDNG was banned for other reasons (which we won't go into). In this case, quoting these words because they are the reason for the discussion is fine.

But see, our friendly neighborhood EDNG also created a new account (which I won't go into) and he can't post or PM. I don't understand the rules here. Klondike has created a number of account, and all of them have been banned, for reasons which, I have yet to figure out. I mean, their past actions should not reflect on their new accounts. It is a bit odd to just continuiously ban the same two people, because it does no good to anyone.

[rich_952000]

But see, our friendly neighborhood EDNG also created a new account (which I won't go into) and he can't post or PM. I don't understand the rules here. Klondike has created a number of account, and all of them have been banned, for reasons which, I have yet to figure out. I mean, their past actions should not reflect on their new accounts. It is a bit odd to just continuiously ban the same two people, because it does no good to anyone.

I appreciate your sentiments bmax.

[DHrox]

But see, our friendly neighborhood EDNG also created a new account (which I won't go into) and he can't post or PM. I don't understand the rules here. Klondike has created a number of account, and all of them have been banned, for reasons which, I have yet to figure out. I mean, their past actions should not reflect on their new accounts. It is a bit odd to just continuiously ban the same two people, because it does no good to anyone.

I have to agree. Though I wonder if they are trying to prevent the same people from doing the same things again but under a new name. Still, EDNG shouldn't be banned over and over again. The only guy I would ban (who could actually still post and PM, I think) was Viagraman.

[rich_952000]

I have to agree. Though I wonder if they are trying to prevent the same people from doing the same things again but under a new name. Still, EDNG shouldn't be banned over and over again. The only guy I would ban (who could actually still post and PM, I think) was Viagraman.

Nicely put. I KNOW everydaynormalguy was an intregal part of these forums and it feels really empty w/o his witty cynicism! I didn't know how to first take him, but I never saw him cross the line. On topic, he would never have used words like "gay" or "retarded", he'd have alluded in some perplexing manner making YOU feel that way:eek:

[DHrox]

Creepy. I don't know why but I never read his posts. It was the weirdest thing. I'm pretty sure I only read Juniors' posts because back then I was a newbie, so I was more or less fumbling around to fit in. I did read one though and I really liked it. After that I never heard from him again.

[s0mah]

You have too look at it in context. Plus to the immature younger generation, "gay" and "retarded" are signs that is isn't any good. Basically conveying that they dislike it as much as a gay and/or retarded person. It is really dumb, and I think that something needs to be done to all the little children that so through these forums making defamatory comments. It is ridiculous.

imo there are some very well behaved kids getting very offended right about now.

[Vende]

So to all the users who insist on being politically correct, how about you give me a list to words I can't say (obviously you'll have to partially censor them out) so I don't offend anyone in future posts.

[rich_952000]

So to all the users who insist on being politically correct, how about you give me a list to words I can't say (obviously you'll have to partially censor them out) so I don't offend anyone in future posts.

I become offended when you use; "a", "the", "of" and "I". Thanks for humoring us by not using these.

[BrettArchibald]

So to all the users who insist on being politically correct, how about you give me a list to words I can't say (obviously you'll have to partially censor them out) so I don't offend anyone in future posts.

Say, here's a novel idea... Instead of other people giving you a list of words, how about you just use some common sense?

And besides which, have you not read anything here? It's not the words per se, but rather the context in which they are used.
There is nothing wrong with the word "gay" by itself, for example, or when used in context, but it would be considered inappropriate to use the word as a substitute for another adjective to negatively describe something, eg: "This game is awful / rubbish / gay".

[aleceiffel]

No, but I'm sure that you could easily get away with:

The graphics were cheap, and the whole production was ghetto.

imo, essentially no difference between the statements.
i *am* gay...i didnt take any real offence....once you start censoring one word, where does it end? dont get me wrong, i'd rather see that word not used with negative connotation...but meh..........

[BrettArchibald]

i *am* gay...i didnt take any real offence....once you start censoring one word, where does it end? dont get me wrong, i'd rather see that word not used with negative connotation...but meh..........

Thanks for the contribution, but it's not censoring the use of the word, but rather using the word with a negative connotation — as you say...

[aleceiffel]

Thanks for the contribution, but it's not censoring the use of the word, but rather using the word with a negative connotation — as you say...


either way....an administrator could simply say please do not use words of phrases that may be offensive?
in any case...its funny how the words gay and retarded are shrugged off most of the time...i think its become so commonplace that some of the younger generation(or older) dont even think about the social meanings behind them.
now if there were actual gay or mentally challenged bashing...that would be a different story...

[Vende]

Okay, so let me see if I have this right.

I can't say this conversation is retarded because (for some) that term is no longer seen as politically correct, and that someone else's common sense finds that socially unacceptable. I can, however, say this conversation is pointless, silly, and asinine because no one has yet been offended by those words.

I can't say you are retarded (for the purpose of insulting someone) because that is insulting to retarded people. I can, however, say, you are stupid, overely senstive, and hyper critical for the same purpose.

I can't say you are retarded (to an actually retarded person) because some, but not all, people get worked up over that word, and their common sense is "better" than everyone else's. So instead I have to call them mentally disabled...or is it mentally challenged...or is it mentally inhibited.

So please tell me when I can use the word retarded and what context is required, because I'd sure like to know.

[DHrox]

When you say someone is stupid, you are only talking about a particular person and offending them and their friends. Calling someone hyper critical or oversensitive is only offensive to the people that it is directed at. The word retarded should never be used even when talking about the mentaly disabled. I had a teacher that told me mental health officials rarely call mentally disabled people retarded. It's simply offensive. I personally have a mentally disabled cousin but I would never say he's retarded (call me biased). If you think about the meaning today of retarded, people consider it to mean someone is stupid, and I know that my cousin is incredibly smart. He just can't express himself as well as he would like and learns at a slower pace.

IDK, that's just what I think. What does everyone else think?
I jst remembered, words such as asinine and silly aren't words that describe a specific group. Unless you call people silly, but that's not what I'm talking about.

[aleceiffel]

Okay, so let me see if I have this right.

I can't say this conversation is retarded because (for some) that term is no longer seen as politically correct, and that someone else's common sense finds that socially unacceptable. I can, however, say this conversation is pointless, silly, and asinine because no one has yet been offended by those words.

I can't say you are retarded (for the purpose of insulting someone) because that is insulting to retarded people. I can, however, say, you are stupid, overely senstive, and hyper critical for the same purpose.

I can't say you are retarded (to an actually retarded person) because some, but not all, people get worked up over that word, and their common sense is "better" than everyone else's. So instead I have to call them mentally disabled...or is it mentally challenged...or is it mentally inhibited.

So please tell me when I can use the word retarded and what context is required, because I'd sure like to know.

i guess for some people the word retarded is simply indispensible from their vocabulary....i say you should be able to use it since there is simply no other word to be found!!

[BrettArchibald]

Okay, so let me see if I have this right.

I can't say this conversation is retarded because (for some) that term is no longer seen as politically correct, and that someone else's common sense finds that socially unacceptable. I can, however, say this conversation is pointless, silly, and asinine because no one has yet been offended by those words.

Correct. You can't use the word "retarded" to describe the conversation, but you can use those other words you listed. But I'll reiterate my point from earlier - it's not only because the words are not offensive, but rather that they're used in the correct context. Also, because you are using those words to describe the conversation, rather than a person, this is deemed to not be a personal insult (more on that below).

I can't say you are retarded (for the purpose of insulting someone) because that is insulting to retarded people. I can, however, say, you are stupid, overely senstive, and hyper critical for the same purpose.

No and yes. No, you can't use the word retarded to describe someone here on this forum, not only because, as you say, it is insulting to "retarded" people, but more so because it is insulting the, one would assume, perfectly mentally capable person that your comment is aimed towards. This is considered a personal insult, which goes against forum rules. Have you read them? Please read them here (http://forums.toucharcade.com/announcement.php?f=2).
To continue, no you can't call someone here on this forum "stupid" either, for the same reason as the above point: it's deemed a personal insult. There are other less-insulting words to get your point across, like the other words you mention.
So yes, you can however call people overly-sensitive and hyper-critical if you want. It is not a personal insult, but rather what I'd loosely refer to as "semi-constructive" criticism.
To elaborate on the use of the word "stupid" there, and to perfectly illustrate the point I have been repeating — it's not the word that is insulting, but rather the context in which it is used that is insulting.
What I mean by that is you should not call a person on these forums stupid, but you can call a game stupid. It is the same word used in both phrases, but one usage is considered insulting and the other is not.

I can't say you are retarded (to an actually retarded person) because some, but not all, people get worked up over that word, and their common sense is "better" than everyone else's. So instead I have to call them mentally disabled...or is it mentally challenged...or is it mentally inhibited.

I'm not entirely sure that applies here on this forum — although it very well might - who am I to say? However, common sense in a polite society would generally deem this word a bit "harsh" when describing someone who would *probably* prefer to be referred to as mentally-disabled.
I'd say it's simply more polite and aware of their feelings to refer to them this way.
Saying that though, I'm well aware that there are some "mentally-challenged" people who don't want other people's "sympathy", shall we say, and don't want to be lightly stepped around, and they're happy to be called anything that is literally "correct", rather than what is just polite. That's their personal choice though, not yours.

So please tell me when I can use the word retarded and what context is required, because I'd sure like to know.

When can you use the word "retarded"? Sheesh, probably never in public or around strangers. That'd be your best bet, to be on the safe side...

Can I query though, why are you so eager to use the word retarded?
If you want to use it as an insult, then don't. At least not on these forums.
If you want to use it as a constructive criticism, there are far more appropriate words.
If you want to use it to describe a mentally-disabled person, again, probably just don't use it, unless you personally know the person in question.

Now... does anyone want a lesson on when it is appropriate to use the "N" word...? ;)

[ibelongintheforums]

Ok, i just found this thread and here i go.
Heres what i think

The use of the word gay, retarded, s**t, or any other such words should not be used.
Instead, if you are critizing a game, find a contructive word to say other then, "that games gay"

Does that help the dev?
no, he has no freaking idea what it means
Say, "that games graphics are not polished", ect.

Second, you cant please everybody

theres always gonna be someone offended at something
(someone probaly just got offended when i used freaking)
but, i think they should take more of a safe route and censor the words
That way no one is pissed except the people who say the words for fun
I dont think its offensive to call somebody that, but someone else WILL

so yea, if u like those words, dont report
but, im gonna report for the sake of the devs and for the forums
EDITED OUT

[NotYou]

what if i said, all people older then 30 run slow and are fat.
sorry, that was a bit off topic

I would lol... until I was 30.

[s0mah]

i *am* gay...i didnt take any real offence....once you start censoring one word, where does it end? dont get me wrong, i'd rather see that word not used with negative connotation...but meh..........

gg- we share similar sentiments concerning censorship.

Someone Pulitzer Prize me for that alliteration, btw.

Anywaysanywaysanyways.

Once the satisfaction of bleaching mildly offensive words wears off, the care police will move to strike again. Eventually, we all start speaking in diluted euphemisms and the victorious PC crowd will smile, throw back a handful of granola, and consider how much their social standing would improve if they were to arrive at their next public radio station fund drive, behind the wheel of a smartcar hybrid.

ATTN PPLZ!!!! KILLING TEH WORDS ISN'T WINNING TEH WAR ON INTENT!! YOJOES!!!!

No one is saying:

Yo! I just dled that Puzzle Quest, and dude it's a faggot! Also pplz, -1900 rate downs for this dev cuz in the game script he mentions that he's an austic, crippled gimp, retard.

Words are just words until paranoid people assign personal meaning. When someone falls victim to a personal attack based on prejudiced, bump this thread and I'll hop on the bandwagon. Until then, we should all try to realize that personal opinions are subjective. Because like srsly, people trying to censor because they are offended, really offends me.

imo, lemme issue a rally cry.

[ibelongintheforums]

gg- we share similar sentiments concerning censorship.

Someone Pulitzer Prize me for that alliteration, btw.

Anywaysanywaysanyways.

Once the satisfaction of bleaching mildly offensive words wears off, the care police will move to strike again. Eventually, we all start speaking in diluted euphemisms and the victorious PC crowd will smile, throw back a handful of granola, and consider how much their social standing would improve if they were to arrive at their next public radio station fund drive, behind the wheel of a smartcar hybrid.

ATTN PPLZ!!!! KILLING TEH WORDS ISN'T WINNING TEH WAR ON INTENT!! YOJOES!!!!

No one is saying:

Yo! I just dled that Puzzle Quest, and dude it's a faggot! Also pplz, -1900 rate downs for this dev cuz in the game script he mentions that he's an austic, crippled gimp, retard.

Words are just words until paranoid people assign personal meaning. When someone falls victim to a personal attack based on prejudiced, bump this thread and I'll hop on the bandwagon. Until then, we should all try to realize that personal opinions are subjective. Because like srsly, people trying to censor because they are offended, really offends me.

imo, lemme issue a rally cry.

sir, im sorry, but i couldnt understand your post. i guess im not hip on the slang or whatever.
but, if for nothing else

do it for the devs.

it doesnt help if they get reviews that say

"this game is retarted"
"this game is gay"
"this game is (censor)"


give them something to work with

i have a question.

If we were allowed to say gay, retared, ect., when would you say them?

[BrettArchibald]

oh and brewster, you just made the giantest generlization.
kids do use those words but not every one

I think some people might have misinterpreted Brewster's words...

Where he said:
...to the immature younger generation, "gay" and "retarded" are signs that is isn't any good...
— the key part to pick out there is the inclusion of the word "immature", so he's therefore excluding the entire section of the younger generation who are NOT immature. Now of course we have to interpret what "immature" means exactly, but I'm guessing by that he meant the small percentage of the younger generation who are not well-behaved / polite, etc.

[ibelongintheforums]

I think some people might have misinterpreted Brewster's words...

Where he said:

— the key part to pick out there is the inclusion of the word "immature", so he's therefore excluding the entire section of the younger generation who are NOT immature. Now of course we have to interpret what "immature" means exactly, but I'm guessing by that he meant the small percentage of the younger generation who are not well-behaved / polite, etc.

ahh............excuse me, i apologize brewster, i read that and rose the defenses
ill edit my post

[Vende]

BrettArchi, I really don't use the word 'retarded' all that often. This was just an example of how silly and convulted political correctness is in general.

[BrettArchibald]

sir, im sorry, but i couldnt understand your post

I did understand him, and for the *most* part, I do agree with the general points being made. However, I did disagree with the end of his post though, specifically where he said:

Words are just words until paranoid people assign personal meaning.

Words that form coherent sentences always have some meaning behind them (as opposed to the gibberish meaningless rantings of a madman), I'm sure you'll agree, but who are you to decide that it's only paranoid people who assign personal meaning to them?
By your definition I'm probably being paranoid right now by picking that out, right?

Anyway, whether or not you personally believe other people have a right to attach personal meaning to words they hear is quite besides the point. What is the point is that, whether we like it or not, the society in which we live has deemed certain words and phrases (and the contextual usage thereof) unsuitable for usage in certain situations, those situations ranging from where you are amongst strangers, elders, in the general public, where politeness is required, etc.

This forum falls into the category of the general public, and therefore one should display some degree of politeness and respect towards other peoples feelings here. You might have to alter what you would normally say from time to time, but people will appreciate you all the more for it.

Thicker-skinned people can say whatever they like in their private lives and amongst friends. And I am one of those people. If you heard how I talk amongst my close friends and how I talk in the general public, you'd swear I was two different people! ;)

[s0mah]

sir, im sorry, but i couldnt understand your post. i guess im not hip on the slang or whatever.

It's kk. I think that I can easily understand how my usage of complicated grammatical devices such as captilization, and proper sentence structure could confuse true masters of the language. I mean, true masters such as yourself.

Next time I'll try to remember to leave a special translation- just for you. Let me get your technique though. You compose your posts by randomly pressing buttons followed by throwing your keyboard to the floor, right?

ps.

I'm growing fond of the way people are placing their own personal and subjective defintions on TA; like they signed their name under arn's on some secret Illuminati charter.

Which I guess, really sums up the reason that I joined this particular thread:

We're all very attached to this place, and because of this we are all concerned with it's direction. None of us however, are in charge. Have a coke, and a smile, and a moment to reflect that:

Your views are not everyones.

We are Touch Arcade.

You are not.

[DHrox]

I'm not sure whether I want to cheer you on, laugh, cry, or do all at the same time. That was hilarious!

[ibelongintheforums]

Sir, I did not say it was a bad point. You just dropped many vowels it was hard to read. Excuse me. I'm sure I would understand your point if you stopped writing like a teenager.

Now I have have to go figure out the teenage slang launguage. ;)

[BrettArchibald]

We're all very attached to this place, and because of this we are all concerned with it's direction.

Very true. And it's because of my attachment to this place that I have no desire to see it go downhill because ill-informed people post offensive comments. (I'm generalising on this, rather than alluding to any specifically earlier-mentioned point.)

None of us however, are in charge.

If by "us" you mean us mere members, then true, but that viewpoint totally ignores that there *ARE* other people in charge here. Admins who make rules and moderators who enforce them.
If you break or continually bend the rules, then you get to face the consequences of doing so.

You're views are not everyones.
We are Touch Arcade.
You are not.

Exactly. It's a community. So please respect other people as you would expect them to respect you.
Do this and I'm sure we'll all get along.

[ibelongintheforums]

s0mah

I not trying to enforce my views.
I'm simply stating them
If we aren't allowed to do that then what is TA for?

Btw, mr.grammer king, I believe you meant "your" instead of "you're"

[DHrox]

Whoa, I forgot, don't correct other peoples' grammar. The Secret TA Police don't like it.

[ibelongintheforums]

Whoa, I forgot, don't correct other peoples' grammar. The Secret TA Police don't like it.
Uh oh

I can hear the sirens now
Nananananana
You will never take me alive!!!!!
Owww!!!

must............edit............post
;)

[DHrox]

Heh, they don't use sirens to announce their arrival. You just suddenly disappear one day.

[BrettArchibald]

Heh, they don't use sirens to announce they're arrival. You just suddenly disappear one day.

they're arrival, or their arrival? ;) :D

[ibelongintheforums]

LOL
Brett
I'll see u in grammer jail right?

[DHrox]

they're arrival, or their arrival? ;) :D

Man, I did that because someone else said change they're to there or something like that in s0mah's post!

CHECK THIS OUT: http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=5387&page=2. Smokin Okin does it again.

[aleceiffel]

not to offend the feline community, but this thread is getting really catty

[ibelongintheforums]

Thanks. Alexcieffel.
Now we have to start another 7 page thread disscussing wether the word feline should be disscussed

*sigh*

[s0mah]

Words that form coherent sentences always have some meaning behind them (as opposed to the gibberish meaningless rantings of a madman), I'm sure you'll agree, but who are you to decide that it's only paranoid people who assign personal meaning to them?

I do agree, and I am definitely not that person.

tbqh, that paranoia comment was first cooked up in the flavor of troll. It was then slightly sauteed in an ad hominem-white wine-rose petal-mixture, in order to deliver a less pungent bouquet.
^^^

That's a secret recipe, btw. shhh.

My point though, is this:

ΣK(init) + ΣU(init) = ΣK(final) + ΣU(final)

You (the rhetorical one) invest into this belief that some word is harmful, and eventually the word kills. The word then becomes taboo to an entire society, and is quickly prohibited. Some idiot mutters the word (almost entirely out of original context), and we all line up at the general store to purchase pitchforks.

This process is ridiculous to me.

What if we all just went:

oh, lol. I was confused at first by your description. I now understand that you evidently d/led a homosexuality simulator from the appstore. I applaud the bravery involved announcing to a public forum.

Then of course, they go:

wtf mate, are you retarded or something?

Then again, us:

I don't think that there is anything slowing me down. As a matter of fact, I just got back from a 110m High Hurdles race. I finished in like 13 something, so I dont think so.

last time them:

u sux nub gtfo ur prob a virgin.

Or whatever. At this point, I guess we decide either to become offended by the casual use of virgin, or not.

Anyway, whether or not you personally believe other people have a right to attach personal meaning to words they hear is quite besides the point. What is the point is that, whether we like it or not, the society in which we live has deemed certain words and phrases (and the contextual usage thereof) unsuitable for usage in certain situations, those situations ranging from where you are amongst strangers, elders, in the general public, where politeness is required, etc.

No it hasn't. Morality isn't enforced anywhere, afaik. Besides, the above concepts are entirely too subjective.

I had premarital sex with my gf last night. Does anyone care? Maybe a 90 y/o app fanatic, who's here to complain because he thought Dr. Awesome was an arthritis diagnostic kit. Should he be allowed to rally all of his WWII vet buddies to have me TOed?

What if I went on to describe that penetration occurred in a place that rhymed with, 'hut'? And this location was chosen because I'm a christian and I don't participate in premarital sex. Count how many people I could have possibly offended.

I mean granted, I'm not thread jacking, nor am I in the Dev forum.

This forum falls into the category of the general public, and therefore one should display some degree of politeness and respect towards other peoples feelings here. You might have to alter what you would normally say from time to time, but people will appreciate you all the more for it.

What if I gave you this particular argument under the stipulation that you define a model that represents all who post here.

You'd be hard pressed to find an American, aged 18-30, offended by anything discussed in this thread. As a matter of fact, I fall into the higher end of this range (lolololol believe it or not), and TA is a very, very tame place to me.

I dunno, maybe i'm from teh infrawebz, and nothing offends me. I just feel like establishing ambiguous rules to combat ambiguous things is the wrong way to go.

[case]

OP is trolling us >_<

[s0mah]

Btw, mr.grammer king, I believe you meant "your" instead of "you're"

Your Majesty, King Grammar. thxthx

Before that, I was Prince Grammar- never once a Mister.

[brewstermax]

So to all the users who insist on being politically correct, how about you give me a list to words I can't say (obviously you'll have to partially censor them out) so I don't offend anyone in future posts.

I would, but it'd be too long.

Ok, i just found this thread and here i go.
Heres what i think

The use of the word gay, retarded, s**t, or any other such words should not be used.
Instead, if you are critizing a game, find a contructive word to say other then, "that games gay"

Does that help the dev?
no, he has no freaking idea what it means
Say, "that games graphics are not polished", ect.

Second, you cant please everybody

theres always gonna be someone offended at something
(someone probaly just got offended when i used freaking)
but, i think they should take more of a safe route and censor the words
That way no one is pissed except the people who say the words for fun
I dont think its offensive to call somebody that, but someone else WILL

so yea, if u like those words, dont report
but, im gonna report for the sake of the devs and for the forums

oh and brewster, you just made the giantest generlization.
kids do use those words but not every one
most likely, if they own an ipotch, or iphone, they ARE well-behaved.
And obviously they are well behaved if they havent been banned yet


im sure there are some 13 year old who just got offended by that

what if i said, all people older then 30 run slow and are fat.
sorry, that was a bit off topic

Most of what you said was actually intelligent. Congrats, iBelong. Your first cognitive post. Mostly.

ahh............excuse me, i apologize brewster, i read that and rose the defenses
ill edit my post

Thank you. I reread to avoid generalizations, which I thought that I succeeded in doing so.

[Rozzwell]

OK, first thing is, languages evolve. Words take on different meanings through different generations. 'Gay' has had many changes, from 'prostitute' to 'happy', from happy to gay, and now gay can also mean 'lame' as well as 'happy' or 'homosexual'.

In a few years time you will be able to look in a dictionary, look up 'gay' and one of the definitions will be lame.

I'm not saying I'm for against the current usage of gay. I'm just saying that lanuage evolves whether you like it or not.

Here's an article from the good ol' BBC describing current insults in English schools.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7289390.stm

[BrettArchibald]

CHECK THIS OUT: http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=5387&page=2. Smokin Okin does it again.

Comment already deleted...

[BrettArchibald]

@ s0mah:

Whilst your sarcastic exaggerated witticisms certainly make for humorous reading — and I mean that genuinely, not bitchily — the very fact that they are sarcastic and exaggerated takes away a lot of the validity of any points you might be making.

Example:
Some idiot mutters the word (almost entirely out of original context), and we all line up at the general store to purchase pitchforks.

Who's metaphorically purchasing pitchforks here? No-one, I'd say.
If you go back to the original post, I said it was "a bit much". Hardly pitchfork-brandishing now is it? Is asking for a little "toning down" really that big of a deal?

Moving on...

...whether we like it or not, the society in which we live has deemed certain words and phrases (and the contextual usage thereof) unsuitable for usage in certain situations...

No it hasn't. Morality isn't enforced anywhere, afaik. Besides, the above concepts are entirely too subjective.

I said "deemed unsuitable", not "enforced". Those two terms are worlds apart.
And if you want to test the subjectivity of these terms, then try using them in a crowd of "real" people, rather than through the anonymity of a website forum, and then see if anyone blinks.

You'd be hard pressed to find an American, aged 18-30, offended by anything discussed in this thread.

The mods would disagree. All comments I've seen with the mis-use of the words "gay" and "retarded" have been edited or deleted.

To end off for the evening, I think this conversation has deviated somewhat from its original course, and with each post made, more and more mountain is being added to this mole-hill.
I think a lot has been said, some valid points were made on all sides, as well as some not so valid.
Personally speaking though, I'd like to draw this to a close. Well, at least as far as my involvement in it goes. I'm going to bed now and probably won't be bothered to drag myself back to this behemoth of a conversation tomorrow morning.
Feel free to continue without me. ;)

[DHrox]

Comment already deleted...

I guessing that you already know what he said just by the nature of his posts.:D

[pablo19]

I guesing that you already know what he said just by the nature of his posts.:D

what? an insanely long paragraph that you just keep reading because of how well written it is, even though the topic and opinion don't interest you at all?

I love his posts;)

[DHrox]

You've lost me. What are you talking about?:P:O

[Wegmans]

I think at at certain point, people need to mind their own business. I hate the way some people dress or people with H2s, but i don't go out of my way to try to correct their habits. Especially on the internet, if you're personally offended say something, if you're worried that other people may be offended, well then you need to find something else to do with your time.