Controversial Discussion: Direction of This Site

Originally Posted by wilomn

Hey Rich, I feel like I've slipped back in time and stepped a couple of dimensions to the side and am now reliving the past.

Seems Fauna had a few of these discussions as well. In fact, I bet the ones there and the ones here are almost identical post wise, though different users made them.

Interesting isn't it?

Yeah, I actually considered going to FaunaClassifieds, finding my replies there, and simply cutting and pasting them here....

Originally Posted by bitsy

I think it's maybe a reference to the "taking the Lord's name in vain" aspect?

Not a concern for me, I have to say.

I was going to argue this further, but in my research to back-up my interpretation of the third commandment I came upon this :

http://www.apuritansmind.com/Tracts%...fGodInVain.htm

which cast enough doubt in my mind that I quit. I'm a little concerned about the bartering aspect, because in desperate times I have been known to do so! I think my use of OMG might fall under the heading of idle discourse. Oh well. Something to ponder.

I think, overall its great!
There is alot of off topic stuff and other posts that probably arent appropriate,but that happens with a site this big.
There is only so much, that can be discussed about cornsnakes and pictures of them.
As far as some peoples humor, personally I dont mind .I have read stuff that has made me laugh and with times the way they are, everyone could use a good laugh every now and then.
As far as some of the drama, well I just try to avoid it.
Thanks Mods!......

Originally Posted by Rich Z

On another topic, profanity.

Also, keep in mind that I tend to gear my sites more to adults then I do to children. I don't actively discourage them from coming to this site (FaunaClassifieds, however, has a filter to deny registrations from anyone under 13 years of age), I also will not particularly make much effort to keep it a PG-13 rating.

Having survived the "chatroom" fiasco of old, I was under a different impression of what you wanted for the site. No problem. I'm not a goody two shoes when it comes to language in my private world, but had thought you wanted family friendly here at CS.com because Fauna and other sites could fill those voids in people's internet world.

I will retract my concerns about language based on your clarification.

D80

Originally Posted by Drizzt80

Having survived the "chatroom" fiasco of old, I was under a different impression of what you wanted for the site. No problem. I'm not a goody two shoes when it comes to language in my private world, but had thought you wanted family friendly here at CS.com because Fauna and other sites could fill those voids in people's internet world.

I will retract my concerns about language based on your clarification.

D80

I don't think there is really any conflict with this clarification. Being an adult doesn't necessarily mean that you have to use profanity in a public medium. Being "adult" in the context to which I am referring is to be MATURE about your online persona, and have the ability to use discretion in your word choice while composing posts. One of the drawbacks of IMMATURITY is the apparent inability to know what is socially unacceptable in public settings.

Originally Posted by Rich Z

Being an adult doesn't necessarily mean that you have to use profanity in a public medium. Being "adult" in the context to which I am referring is to be MATURE about your online persona,

And I agree 100%. My 13 and 14 year old students understand the concept of time and place. Regardless of what words and euphemisms they use amongst themselves, they know when they can't use it. I agree adults should know when/where it's appropriate, and it's disappointing that the general perception appears to be that "adult" means you can use profanity and pornography at your own discretion because your above a certain age and "who are you to tell me what I can and can't say" regardless of the situation or people present. I do know it's a gray area, but I guess some of us may be looking for you, as site owner, to indicate a few things language-wise that are publicly not allowed so there's less gray. (I know that's something you've already indicated you're not comfortable with, and I'm fine with that. It's your house.)

D80

Originally Posted by Drizzt80

And I agree 100%. My 13 and 14 year old students understand the concept of time and place. Regardless of what words and euphemisms they use amongst themselves, they know when they can't use it. I agree adults should know when/where it's appropriate, and it's disappointing that the general perception appears to be that "adult" means you can use profanity and pornography at your own discretion because your above a certain age and "who are you to tell me what I can and can't say" regardless of the situation or people present. I do know it's a gray area, but I guess some of us may be looking for you, as site owner, to indicate a few things language-wise that are publicly not allowed so there's less gray.

D80

Well if this were an issue whereby only MY sensibilities would be affected, then it would be no problem and the gray area would be rather narrow. But I don't like to overly enforce my own personal guidelines on everyone else, even in a site I own. At least as long as I remain within "reasonable" (again by MY definition) limits. I tend to use "damn" a lot. To some people that is probably offensive. To me it is OK. To them it is not OK. If I then say that "damn" is not allowed, and use "darn" instead, that may still offend some people. This can ratchet downwards until we have used up the entire English language. So I give the mods a LOT of leeway with this with the admonition to err on the side of leniency as much as is possible. I'm sorry, but there just cannot be NO gray area in this sort of thing. The best advice I can give anyone is that if that have any doubts about what they are going to say being acceptable, then it may be wise to rephrase yourself before clicking that Submit Reply button. Or, as I have gotten to thinking lately, if you are going to post something, pretend that someone who hates your guts is going to cut and paste it somewhere to try to show you in the worst possible light....

I know that this profanity issue was covering an another thread, not that long ago.

http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91825

I dunno if you saw that thread, but maybe it would help.

Wayne

if you are going to post something, pretend that someone who hates your guts is going to cut and paste it somewhere to try to show you in the worst possible light....


That is probably a good philosophy to live by, and may very well be the case on some occasions.

I am sure this is frustrating for you Rich and the mods as well. Not going to make everyone happy on this one. It can be frustrating for we little people too. A few days ago I said something that was incredibly stupid even for me. Susan infracted me as well she should have. For that I humbly apologize to the entire planet. But for the most part, the infractions I have received have been for silly things that would be fine one day and not the next. None of them as blatant as your word damn. That is frustrating for me.

Overall, I think the site is well moderated. As far as profanity goes, I think we all pretty much know what we can and cannot say in open forum. I don't get offended with substitute words such as "freaking" or "F^!!&*#". Blatent use of profanity though should come at a cost, as we should all know better that it's not deemed as acceptable language here.
The only recent instance of over moderation I have seen recently was in the past 48 hours. A member asked a valid question in a thread, and was warned, with threat of been banned to stay away from posting in that thread.