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POLL: What's the general consensus regarding swearing?

So what's your opinion regarding the use of swearing/profanity on LPF?

  • Who the F**K cares? It's the internet, and those easily offended shouldn't be surfing it anyways!

    Votes: 12 19.7%
  • Words can't hurt anyone, so as long as swearing isn't used offensively, it's not a big deal.

    Votes: 29 47.5%
  • Swearing should be kept to an absolute minimum and always properly censored. There are kids here.

    Votes: 20 32.8%
  • I refuse to tolerate any vulgarity or anything remotely suggestive. Censorship doesn't cut it.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    61





Joined
Nov 22, 2008
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As long as it's kept to reasonable, sensible levels, I'm fine with a little profanity used for comic effect or as hyperbole. When it's over-used, it just reflects badly on the poster and the forum as a whole, and looks childish.



Song related: It reflects the maturity of those who (over-)use profanity and childish themes.
 

Things

0
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To me, INDIRECT swearing doesn't worry me. Ie. "Fuck that"

But swearing directed at certain members is really childish .. "Go fuck yourself .." sorta thing :p
 
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I still get a bit annoyed at excessive swearing for no reason.. I don't mind it in real life, and I don't mind it on certain other forums I visit, but I've always thought of LPF as a family environment... After all, Jamlin9 is probably 11 by now, and he's certainly not the youngest person on the forums.

I can see swearing being applicable once in a while, if you're trying to emphasize things, like "that was a shitload of photons", but lately I've been seeing more of "your laser sucked hairy goat balls deep into its throat while fucking your grandma's leathery cunt", and it seems a bit excessive.

The old forum rules explicitly forbade any kind of obscenity, saying you'll be banned if you swear because seriously dude, there's 8 year olds here. Now, the rules have relaxed, and the only things in the TOS that say anything about vulgarities are:
  • The Website may be used only for lawful purposes. You agree not to engage in the following prohibited activities:
    • Post Content that is implicitly or explicitly offensive, such as Content that engages in, endorses or promotes racism, bigotry, discrimination, hatred or physical harm of any kind against any group or individual.
    • Post Content that harasses, incites harassment or advocates harassment of any group or individual.
    • Promote or endorses false or misleading information or illegal activities or conduct that is abusive, threatening, obscene, defamatory or libelous.
  • You agree that [...] Please note that we may refuse to grant you a user name that [...] is vulgar, offensive, or might cause confusion, as determined by us in our sole discretion.
And instead of the previous "ABSOLUTELY NO SWEARING" rule, there's now a warning saying that what you read here may offend you:
  • Also, you are reminded that other’s communications and information may be offensive, harmful, inaccurate, mislabeled, and/or deceptive. You must be careful and vigilant.




[EDIT] Oh yeah , and while I was looking at the TOS I came across this gem I thought was particularly funny:
  • You may not [...] Frame, link, or mirror of any part of the Website without prior written authorization or linking to any of the Materials or information available from the web site, without our permission.
Heh.. So, we're not allowed to link to LPF without permission? I think you've got good grounds for a lawsuit against google! I'm surprised this is still a standard clause in these EULA's.. A lot of sites have tried to sue others for linking to them and it's failed every time.
 
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Joined
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The second to the last choice is ridiculous. There are NO children on this forum. Nobody under 18 is supposed to be here, just as on porn sites. Everyone under 18, what the fuck are you doing here?:tsk::eg::evil::beer:
 
Joined
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The second to the last choice is ridiculous. There are NO children on this forum. Nobody under 18 is supposed to be here, just as on porn sites. Everyone under 18, what the fuck are you doing here?:tsk::eg::evil::beer:
What is forbidden is always tempting :3.
 
Joined
Sep 17, 2009
Messages
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I personally swear like a trooper IRL but I always take into account my audience because usually I know them and their tolerence to bad language. In my head every other word is a swear word, but that's because I don't find myself offensive :)

Now translate that to the internets? I dont know my audience intimately, I dont know how they will react to the offending pixels, but I do know that I would prefer to err on the safe side and not use bad language, but hey, that's just me.

If I want to insult someone, I will do it with clean language and huge dollop of sarcasm and vitriol :na:

I think it's an age thing, I was brought up to be a nice clean cut young man and not to offend people out of hand. But I am 50 now and my attitude has changed a lot. So I will take this opportunity to tell you all to fucking keep it fucking clean you fucks :)

Jerry
 
Joined
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Messages
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I personally swear like a trooper IRL but I always take into account my audience because usually I know them and their tolerence to bad language. In my head every other word is a swear word, but that's because I don't find myself offensive :)

Now translate that to the internets? I dont know my audience intimately, I dont know how they will react to the offending pixels, but I do know that I would prefer to err on the safe side and not use bad language, but hey, that's just me.

If I want to insult someone, I will do it with clean language and huge dollop of sarcasm and vitriol :na:

I think it's an age thing, I was brought up to be a nice clean cut young man and not to offend people out of hand. But I am 50 now and my attitude has changed a lot. So I will take this opportunity to tell you all to fucking keep it fucking clean you fucks :)

Jerry
Stop signing my name... I'm getting confused...:eg::crackup::crackup::crackup:

Jerry
 

rkcstr

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Dec 1, 2007
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I don't mind swearing, I do it pretty regularly, but not usually in public (well, that is, unless I've had a few beers :drunk:). And, this really is like being in public talking with a bunch of friends where anyone can overhear, or in this case, see.

In reality, swearing doesn't hurt anyone but yourself. If it's not used tastefully or with discretion, then it just makes you look immature, unintelligent or just look like an ass (ha! see? tasteful :na:)
 
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Yikes. I was going to post my genuine opinion about it after I voted, but after READING this thread, I feel like I'll just get cussed out!
 
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The second to the last choice is ridiculous. There are NO children on this forum. Nobody under 18 is supposed to be here, just as on porn sites. Everyone under 18, what the fuck are you doing here?:tsk::eg::evil::beer:
You're mistaken. There are LOTS of underage people here. By far the majority. Many knowledgeable and experienced people here are under 18. He doesn't post often, but there's a guy with the nickname jamlin, who joined here when he was 9. He knows quite a lot about lasers, and his parents let him persue the hobby.

This is not a porn site, and I have no idea what gives you the impression that it is. There are more underaged people here than adults.
 
Joined
Jun 9, 2010
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From the Terms of Use:

"3. Eligibility

You must be the age of majority as that is defined in your jurisdiction to visit or use the Website in any manner. You represent and warrant to Laser Pointer Forums that You have reached the age of majority in your jurisdiction, and that You have the right, authority and capacity to agree to and abide by this Agreement. You also represent and warrant to Laser Pointer Forums that You will use the Website in a manner consistent with any and all applicable laws and regulations."

Despite my happiness to see all the responsible minors here, it's still expressly forbidden. I say change the Rule. It's the irresponsible adults who track aircraft with lasers. It's the motivated and generally intelligent amongst the youth that would post here.

It's a shame the Rule is there. A rule not enforced does more harm than good. But while it is a rule, I don't think the language should be cleaned up because of the presence of minors. I think it should be cleaned up out of respect for the readers, and George Carlin's words used rarely and only for appropriately dramatic effect.
 
Joined
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Messages
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Despite my happiness to see all the responsible minors here, it's still expressly forbidden. I say change the Rule.

It's a shame the Rule is there. A rule not enforced does more harm than good.

I agree with that... If a rule needs to be bent regularly... it should
not be there or it should be enforced...

Jerry
 




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