Posted by Dr. Bob on June 24, 2002, at 18:59:46
In reply to for Dr. Bob others - bad words..., posted by IsoM on June 24, 2002, at 14:51:43
> It's a suggestion that the language we use on a day-to-day basis will often include some "potentially" offensive stuff to SOMEONE. So MAYBE there is someone on this board who might be offended, but MAYBE not. And anyway, why haven't they spoken up here?
Maybe they're lurkers? Maybe they feel unwelcome?
> > > I know I can take my bad words and use somebody else's web site. But I'd rather be able to express myself (within reason) without censoring myself
> >
> > Expressing oneself within reason means sometimes censoring oneself.
>
> it's that phrase "within reason" that is causing us problems. I put it in there on purpose, because our reasoning might differ.
>
> WendyI think it does. Can we agree that *some* censoring is appropriate but disagree on exactly how much?
----
> I believe if you did a study on whether or not ... people inclined to participate in this site feel more uncomfortable (less supported) as a result of 1) language restrictions on commonly used words, or 2) the ocassional four letter word in some posts, it would be the former.
>
> mistHmm, a study...
----
> So take me as an example of one of those who don't like swear words - one of the people that Dr. Bob would like to protect from being offended. Am I offended when I read swear words in this forum? Not really. It's not the words but the intentions behind them.
> I truly believe that few of us - even the 'proper', sensitive ones, are offended by mild swearing or even the occasional stronger ones. I know I'm not. It's the content of the message, not the packaging it comes in.
Thanks for the input. I may be wrong, but I think some people take the time to unwrap the package and some people don't. Some people can be *very* sensitive.
> Damn isn't even considered swearing in the dictionary...
>
> Dr. Bob, could you specifically print exactly what words are NOT allowed? ... Or are these words allowed but not in certain contexts like inflammatory posts only? I'm really wanting to know.The dictionary! Why didn't I think of that? :-) If you're not sure about a word, check it out at Merriam-Webster:
Still, that doesn't mean that those words are never OK -- or that other words are always OK. I'm sorry if it's frustrating, but every case is different. But if you want a simple rule: when in doubt, don't.
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:5720
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020510/msgs/5768.html