Moderators; what is going on?

[starjimstar]

Recently, two threads about an upcoming gay themed shooter have been removed by moderators. Meanwhile, offending posts are rarely (if ever) dealt with. I am greatly disturbed and I have to inquire about the ethical criteria this forum's moderators follow, because, to me, it seems counterintuitive.

Another forum member had suggested that "this is a discussion for iPod gaming, not politics." However, we are talking about a game. We are also talking about life, but as some found with 'Passage', sometimes both are inseparable on reflection.

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=300702040&mt=8

[GatorDeb]

They weren't REmoved, they were moved.

They're in the Lounge section :p

I was wondering why you stopped posting in your thread. You lost it lol ;) :D

[arn]

- Offending posts are dealt with when they are reported. If you see offending posts that aren't dealt with, you need to report them, otherwise, you are saying you are ok with the content.

- Those threads were closed because the discussions became offensive/heated.

[pante]

for me every person who showed that is racist or homosexual-hater should be banned for good.

[THEDeliriumTrigger]

- Offending posts are dealt with when they are reported. If you see offending posts that aren't dealt with, you need to report them, otherwise, you are saying you are ok with the content.

- Those threads were closed because the discussions became offensive/heated.

Also, posts that may not be reported to moderators are usually taken care of by the members posting. I mean, we do have some morals around here.

And thanks for using my quote; its true ya know ;)

[brewstermax]

I understand your dismay, but unfortunately a majority of people are not open to homosexual people, or ideas. I am not homosexual, but I do see this as an issue of racism (not on the part of the mods, but people as a whole). I saw part of it the argument, could someone fill me in?

[THEDeliriumTrigger]

I understand your dismay, but unfortunately a majority of people are not open to homosexual people, or ideas. I am not homosexual, but I do see this as an issue of racism (not on the part of the mods, but people as a whole). I saw part of it the argument, could someone fill me in?

It was started by the original poster posting about his game, and he openly referred to himself as homosexual. So, being the children that most people are in this forum, they felt the need to express their opinion, which resulted in some opinions that are quite frankly closed minded, and some words said that really didnt need to be said.

[rich_952000]

That type of banter about sexuality has no, absolutely no place to be debated on a "games" forum. Not in any capacity. Nor, for that matter, should race. What I saw in that thread, as well as lots of others is people who immediately want to "take a stand" but really are just using "offensive" posts or threads to further their own offensive stances. You people should be ashamed, take the moral route for once in your lives and just encourage these issues to stop instead of further aggravating these issues by debating/arguing them: The Majority of the Demographic reading Touch Arcade should be assumed to be Children and Teens!

These people are already prematurely subjected to this type of trash almost everywhere else, let's keep TA a nice, relaxed environment to discuss/debate and argue even, as long as it's done about the games themselves.

[brewstermax]

That type of banter about sexuality has no, absolutely no place to be debated on a "games" forum. Not in any capacity. Nor, for that matter, should race. What I saw in that thread, as well as lots of others is people who immediately want to "take a stand" but really are just using "offensive" posts or threads to further their own offensive stances. You people should be ashamed, take the moral route for once in your lives and just encourage these issues to stop instead of further aggravating these issues by debating/arguing them: The Majority of the Demographic reading Touch Arcade should be assumed to be Children and Teens!

These people are already prematurely subjected to this type of trash almost everywhere else, let's keep TA a nice, relaxed environment to discuss/debate and argue even, as long as it's done about the games themselves.

No, it has a place. The children have to grow up and face the world. We can't have TA be their little sanctuary. They have to face it sometime.

[rich_952000]

No, it has a place. The children have to grow up and face the world. We can't have TA be their little sanctuary. They have to face it sometime.

Games, Brewstermax, this is a website dedicated to games not middle aged men talking with children about sex or racial issues. Dont want this turning into an edition of Dateline. Let their parents take care of deciding what they face, and when they face it.

[brewstermax]

Games, Brewstermax, this is a website dedicated to games not middle aged men talking with children about sex or racial issues. Dont want this turning into an edition of Dateline. Let their parents take care of deciding what they face, and when they face it.

I know that. Well iPhone applications, but regardless. What is the Lounge for? I think that talks of sex, race, and politics has a place. Not in the Games or App sections, but we have a lounge for just that purpose. Sure, it's the parent's responsibility, but at the same time, they are on the internet, and will encounter these things.

[rich_952000]

I know that. Well iPhone applications, but regardless. What is the Lounge for? I think that talks of sex, race, and politics has a place. Not in the Games or App sections, but we have a lounge for just that purpose. Sure, it's the parent's responsibility, but at the same time, they are on the internet, and will encounter these things.

Ok, this I can agree with sir.:rolleyes: and for others viewing....this is how gentlemen handle themselves:D

[CandyNJ66]

I see nothing wrong with the OP views since I am lesbian myself. I am annoyed by some people's narrow minded views and rush to get up in arms if this is mentioned. They are uncomfortable or homophobic and not wanting to even consider the issue so they make childish accusations.

The lounge is a place to discuss anything within reason or that is not against Arn's rules.

[brewstermax]

I wonder if TA would be better if we didn't know about people's sexuality, a Don't ask, Don't tell policy, or if we will be a better forums for people being open with this. Hmm.:rolleyes:

[pennydreadful]

I, too, was rather dismayed to see the level of homophobia, immaturity, and incivility displayed within that thread. The actual sexual orientation of the OP is irrelevant because I believe that he was (like most internet trolls) an unemployed involuntarily celibate forty-five year old mischievously stirring up controversy from his parents' basement. However, the post could have led to a deeper discussion of the direction of gaming in general.

Kotaku recently featured an article entitled, "Growing Up Games: When Will Mature, Mature." http://kotaku.com/5175046/growing-up-games-when-will-mature-mature

The author argued that that thus far, "mature" ratings have only designated games that simply feature nudity, profanity, or gratuitous violence. I believe that while games are still a rather young media, they have the capacity to powerfully tell a story in a way that other mediums can not (ie. film, print, etc.)
Computer games have the potential to be valid works of art that address all facets of the human experience but they can't evolve until the medium stops dealing with those subjects with juvenile prurience.

[starjimstar]

It looks as though I have some catching up to do:

@arn - It is unfortunate that the solution was to halt all discussion rather than moderate the threads. I would like to know more about this (possibly) upcoming game. Hopefully the developer will come back and share screenshots and a synopsis.

@rich - You are on a different page. I will talk to you when you join the conversation.

@Candy - Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth. All the same, it is good to know you got my back. :)

@brewstermax - Don't ask/don't tell will only compact the problem. TA members may, on the surface, seem like they are all bratty teens, but they are more diverse than you might realize.

@pennydreadful - That is a great article. Thank you for the contribution. I have, in the past, thought that the 'mature' rating is rather inappropriate because those games do appeal to my immature side. :p

@everyone - I am gladdened to see that some of us are capable of civilized debate. I will continue to be an openly gay fan of iPhone games around the forums, so don't you worry about that. After this episode, I might even take up the torch of producing a platformer of the Stonewall riots. I will let you know, arn, when it is ready to be featured on the front page of TouchArcade.

Now, it is late,
good night.

[organerito]

I think there are basic rules about respect anywhere you are. There are many ignorant people who hate the other just because is a little different. I hope TA is not going to become "Ipod touch fans forum" where it is very easily to be called "dumb, retarded..etc". I think racism and discrimination shouldn't be allowed anywhere, especially in a gaming forum.

[b_o_h_i_c_a]

I understand your dismay, but unfortunately a majority of people are not open to homosexual people, or ideas. I am not homosexual, but I do see this as an issue of racism (not on the part of the mods, but people as a whole). I saw part of it the argument, could someone fill me in?

It's not racism as homosexual is not a race. Perhaps the word you were going for was discrimination?

[The Game Reaper]

I wonder if TA would be better if we didn't know about people's sexuality, a Don't ask, Don't tell policy, or if we will be a better forums for people being open with this. Hmm.:rolleyes:
Why should we hide who we are?

What really annoys me is when n00bs start posting stuff like "Paying for in app purchases is gay". It's really disappointing when something like the word gay turns into a derogatory
phrase.

[s0mah]

Why should we hide who we are?

Who asked in the first place?

Race/sexuality thread is the biggest, most tired troll in the book. Big deal, you're gay/black/hermaphroditic/inlovewithsheep/pothead/lost a limb in WW2.

Go be gay somewhere else.

Go be straight somewhere else.

This is a forum dedicated to video games, not your sexuality. People here have been known to express a similar amount of offense to hetero apps like iJiggle or iGirl. What's the difference?

ps.

no one cares.

[starjimstar]

Who asked in the first place?

Race/sexuality thread is the biggest, most tired troll in the book. Big deal, you're gay/black/hermaphroditic/inlovewithsheep/pothead/lost a limb in WW2.

Go be gay somewhere else.

Go be straight somewhere else.

This is a forum dedicated to video games, not your sexuality. People here have been known to express a similar amount of offense to hetero apps like iJiggle or iGirl. What's the difference?

ps.

no one cares.


Hi s0mah,
if you had read the posts, you would have noticed that a lot of people care about this issue. And it's funny you mention iJiggles because I remember there was a reviewer who referred to it as 'gay'. If you don't see the relevance of this discussion, you should broaden your perspective. A purchase from the App Store, for instance, is a contribution to marriage equality in the US, as Apple donated $100,000 to the 'No On Prop 8' initiative. Asexuals, such as yourself, should be welcome and fairly represented in the forums just as anyone else, but you need to realize you are one stroke of many in this diverse community.

[brewstermax]

It's not racism as homosexual is not a race. Perhaps the word you were going for was discrimination?

I used racism because I liken this more to the civil rights movement of the '60s. But discrimination would have been better.

Why should we hide who we are?

What really annoys me is when n00bs start posting stuff like "Paying for in app purchases is gay". It's really disappointing when something like the word gay turns into a derogatory phrase.

Because it is mostly irrelevant to the discussion here. I'm not saying that it doesn't need to be discussed, but why ask?

Really. But "gay" has adopted a new meaning, based mostly on its usage. It was meant as a derogatory phrase, but by now, it just shows that they don't like that something. It has little to do with homosexuals anymore. Its how a language evolves. I'm not defending it, but that's how it works.

[s0mah]

Hi s0mah,
if you had read the posts, you would have noticed that a lot of people care about this issue.

No, I did read the posts but I really didn't have to. Every internet conversation conversation concerning sexuality/race/religion goes the exact same way, and this/that one is/was no different.

And it's funny you mention iJiggles because I remember there was a re
[viewer who referred to it as 'gay'. If you don't see the relevance of this discussion, you should broaden your perspective.

So, should I wave my finger and create a thread about how ignorant it is to insult apps of a heterosexual nature? Call everyone heterophobes and bigots? When do I let my self-righteous martyr complex consume my person so much that I fail to realize that I am arguing a mature subject matter with a forum populated mostly with tweeners and teenagers? How should I go about MAKING people agree with me?

If you don't see the relevance of this discussion, you should broaden your perspective.

My perspective is broad enough to understand that rules violations are rules violations and not chances to espouse personal political agendas. My perspective is also broad enough to know that some people are bigots and some people aren't. What exactly are you trying to accomplish? Wanna discuss the game (seeing as how this is a forum dedicated to gaming)? Make a new thread in the upcoming section.

Asexuals, such as yourself, should be welcome and fairly represented in the forums just as anyone else, but you need to realize you are one stroke of many in this diverse community.

Give me a break with this 'everyone is special and diverse' bullshit. This has less to do with di******* or ignorance, than it has to do with agenda. The thread that got modded was a train wreck. It had a lot to do with idiots spitting idiotic rhetoric back and forth to other idiots, and nothing to do with arn (or lol me) as a fascist.

You're gay, big deal. I didn't see a sign anywhere that excludes you from these forums.

Take your personal grievances to PM, where they belong.

*edit*

Evidently, the board censors the word 'd i v e r-s ity' now. That's a pretty nice example of irony, imo.

[superbad]

Evidently, the board censors the word 'd i v e r-s ity' now. That's a pretty nice example of irony, imo.

A p p v e r s i t y is the censored word (**********)

thus di******* is censored from V onwards.

Examples:
app *******
app v ******
di *******

[brewstermax]

A p p v e r s i t y is the censored word (**********)

thus di******* is censored from V onwards.

Examples:
app *******
app v ******
di *******

Why is ********** censored?

[b_o_h_i_c_a]

Is di******* considered an obscene or offensive topic?

[brewstermax]

Is di******* considered an obscene or offensive topic?

No a pp vers ity - One word, is. For whatever reason, I'm guessing that some sort of event happened that led to a decent review site being censored. The ver sity in di ver sity gets blocked because ver sity is also in app ver sity

[starjimstar]

@brewstermax
It is the association that renders it a derogatory comment for some. For example; Marvin Gaye changed the spelling of his name because he wanted to break the association, not for any logical reason but for the sake of insecurity. For another example; the word 'fag' means burning sticks: it is rooted in medieval times when homosexuals were used as fuel for burning witches. It is also no coincidence some use the word to refer to cigarettes. Their meanings have been broadened but they are offensive as ever. If people all around you said something was 'totally brewstermax' every time they spoke of something they didn't like, it would get to you too. I realize that is not a perfect example but I thought it might lighten the mood.

@s0mah
I can't understand a word you are saying when you talk out of both sides of your mouth. People do care about this issue. You clearly care about this issue or else you would not be arguing so tenaciously. The TA community is just not as homogenized as you would like to believe: get over it, please.


I would just like to remind readers that we were initially talking about a game, even though some posts have attempted to derail the thread.

[s0mah]

@s0mah
I can't understand a word you are saying when you talk out of both sides of your mouth. People do care about this issue. You clearly care about this issue or else you would not be arguing so tenaciously. The TA community is just not as homogenized as you would like to believe: get over it, please.

lol ok gai.

It's always funny to me when the PC militia stormtroop through a forum and demand the unilateral and unconditional conformation to whatever personal agenda they might have, while labeling any opposition as di******* haters and white washers.

I'm glad that you're gay, and I'm glad that you're so unabashedly proud of that. I even thought it was cool the first 100 or so times that you have irrelevantly made casual mention of your sexuality in the middle of a thread- I can appreciate a good troll.

But now it's like:

Great your gay! wtg!!!@! Here's all ur special kits that allow you to force everyone else to accept your sexuality. Here's another special kit that fills u with a unique sense of entitlement. Now run along and force everyone to like/pay attention to/care about you. srsly, do it! those who don't follow initially out of a sense guilt will eventually come around out of fear of pointed fingers.

blah blah blah.

Your beloved thread was an intellectual wasteland and needed to be wiped. I can assure you that there have been more than several inappropriate threads removed due to narrow minds and clashing opinions. What makes yours any different?

[starjimstar]

Haha, thanks Ian.