Censoring Words

[Vlyrock]

As an FYI and general "explain all" to the site, we've begun undertaking the task of censoring some curse words. They had been allowed on the site to a point and hadn't really been a problem, but we've noticed it being used more and more -- and to some people it could be offensive or a reason to not visit the site.

I had always planned on letting people say what they want to say, and for that reason didn't want to censor words -- however, when I showed people the site, I would get asked, "you really let them say this or that? Why?" I had never really come up with a good answer why swearing was allowed -- I had always just responded, "Because I want them to be able to say what they want."

I realize now how stupid that answer was because I believe you can say what you want and do it maturely without the swearing. Hope that people can understand why we're doing this...it's not to be controlling and Texags-ish -- it's just to make the site more enjoyable for all Aggie fans and visitors.

[Pflugerville Ag]

Agree with you on this one Vly. I am okay with people writing sh** or other similiar words, but there are too many F bombs being written now. That makes this site seem amateur.

[Loftin]

I'm 100% against this.

[Superaggie79]

Test:
testing process completed

[Superaggie79]

I was just seeing what was edited.

[aggieamy07]

a**hole

I'll gladly take infractions for that

[Pflugerville Ag]

I was just seeing what was edited.

Then why don't you PM Vly or simply ask the question? Why be immature about it? You are one of the biggest reasons that he is having to put a rule in place about that kind of stuff.

[Superaggie79]

Then why don't you PM Vly or simply ask the question? Why be immature about it? You are one of the biggest reasons that he is having to put a rule in place about that kind of stuff.
Why freak out about something posted and then deleted?

[texags08]

I too am extremely guilty of this in the last few days, so for that I apologize.

[Loftin]

I use a lot of sayings that have cuss words in them(yet I've never gone overboard). I really, really disagree with this 100%.

I can't say enough how juvenile this censorship is. Lack of censorship used to be the biggest thing that separated AggieFans from TexAgs, while member restraint(and actual discussions about sports) separated us from resistance. I really don't get how catering to soccer moms is going to help this site. Kids should not be on message boards or chat rooms, anyway.

[CoolaidWade]

I too am extremely guilty of this in the last few days, so for that I apologize.

Me too. I wouldn't worry about it. I have posted things I probably shouldn't have as well. But Vly said the reason he did it wasen't a censorship issue as much as he didn't want to cheapen the site.

It's without a doubt a more intelligent site then Texags but with more posters comes more trash. So while personally I would rather the site continue without censoring words (I have to agree with Loftin with a lot of his points) I can totally see where the owners are coming from and respect the decison. You aren't going to fix idiot posters without becoming ban crazy and being ban crazy would be worse the censoring words.

I guess that's what they call a Catch-22?

EDIT: And lack of censorship isn't the only thing seperating this site from Texags.

[Vlyrock]

I use a lot of sayings that have cuss words in them(yet I've never gone overboard). I really, really disagree with this 100%.

I can't say enough how juvenile this censorship is. Lack of censorship used to be the biggest thing that separated AggieFans from TexAgs, while member restraint(and actual discussions about sports) separated us from resistance. I really don't get how catering to soccer moms is going to help this site. Kids should not be on message boards or chat rooms, anyway.

Loftin,

I see what you're saying, but can you honestly give me a valid argument why I should allow cussing on this site? It doesn't really add anything to what you're trying to say. It's not commonly accepted in society, and in most cases is viewed as being ignorant because you can't put into words what you're trying to say.

I don't view censoring offensive swear words as juvenile or restricting in any way. I don't view this as catering to soccer moms, but instead catering to the general population. I'm a 24 year old guy out of graduate school -- and I get tired of reading the swear words as much as soccer moms and anybody else who may have been offended.

If people came here just because we allowed swearing, then they have bigger issues than I can help with. This shouldn't, in any way, affect the site's integrity or what's being discussed other than to make the conversations cleaner and more appropriate to be read in places (like at work).

[Vlyrock]

I was just seeing what was edited.
There's going to always be ways around the rules...

Respect what they are instead of looking for loopholes please.

[Loftin]

It's your site, Vly, you can run it any way you want. I'll still be here, posting. It's not my decision at all, but I disagree with your decision and was just letting you know(FWIW).

I just feel like a very important aspect of Aggiefans that sets us apart is being compromised to restrict just a small handful of people. Unlike TexAgs, where trolls are actually in the majority, I think some banishments would serve the posters here better than restricting everybody. Before July or August of this year, has excessive cussing ever been a problem(as far as I can remember, ******* and **** were used sparingly and appropriately)? Like I said in another thread, kids shouldn't be allowed on chat rooms or message boards anyway. If we're all adults, and we're censoring the "bad words," how can that be viewed as anything but juvenile and restricting? I understand that certain posters have been equally childish in trying to push the limits, but I'd like to see censorship used only on a case-by-case basis, rather than taking away from everybody(or, like MSN gaming zone has, have an optional censorship feature that users can select, where only people who are "offended" don't get to see everything that people say).

[Vlyrock]

Loftin,

I know where you're coming from, and as you've seen and figured out before, I welcome feedback and comments. I'm not gonna have a vengeance against you for speaking your mind. :) The idea of filtering by person is a good one, but there's not a way to filter by user with the software we use.

Also, to expand on my thinking -- I was trying to figure out if allowing cussing adds any value to the site. No matter how I look at it, there's no value added by letting a poster say the F word or anything like that. The only possible outcomes are people ignore it or get turned off by it.

The people who ignore it, don't mind and keep reading. People turned off close the page and may never visit Aggiefans.com. Based on that, is it worth it to allow that here? Probably not. In essence, I'm trying to put out the most appealing, best possible site I can -- and I just can't find one valid argument where allowing the cursewords adds value to the site and its content. On the flipside, taking them away doesn't take away any value from the content or the site, so in my mind -- it's an easy decision to say, "Okay, let's fix this."

You can still quote your quotes with the swear word, but instead of writing the F word, you can write F***. People will know what you mean and it still keeps eyes and minds clean if they don't want to see/read it. Again, it also makes the pages work friendly.

[Aggiediver03]

I agree with this Vly, the only thing juvenile is feeling like you have to cuss. If you have something to say you will be able to say it much more intelligently without cuss words. It's just unnecessary to cuss, and if that's all you have to say then then most of us don't care so there's no point saying it.

[Dustin00whoop]

Man, this is sum Mother****ing bull**** if I've ever seen it.

[Dustin00whoop]

Okay...just kidding...no more from me....had to get it all out on this thread.

[Loftin]

I've always been someone who gets irritated when I'm misquoted. When I have something to say, there is a particular way that I want to say it. Changing the wording changes the meaning. 99.9% of the time, I won't be using cuss words. But I like to have the freedom to say what I want to say. Censoring can definitely take away from the meaning of something.

What if we yelled, "Beat the heck outta t.u.!" or talked about "red-butt" Aggies. Obviously, both times the point is driven across better when not censored, yet the cussing is not inappropriate.

[Dustin00whoop]

I've always been someone who gets irritated when I'm misquoted. When I have something to say, there is a particular way that I want to say it. Changing the wording changes the meaning. 99.9% of the time, I won't be using cuss words. But I like to have the freedom to say what I want to say. Censoring can definitely take away from the meaning of something.

What if we yelled, "Beat the heck outta t.u.!" or talked about "red-butt" Aggies. Obviously, both times the point is driven across better when not censored, yet the cussing is not inappropriate.

Vly, I have to agree with the assclown. ;)

[TwelfthAG]

Well, hell and ass can't be censored.

[Dustin00whoop]

I'm just going to use ass whenever I feel like cussing & you can all insert whatever cuss word you feel appropiate.

[Loftin]

Well, hell and ass can't be censored.

But you get my point. There are certain sayings (which are shortened to SOL and SOB), that really can't be said any other way.

[Dustin00whoop]

But you get my point. There are certain sayings (which are shortened to SOL and SOB), that really can't be said any other way.

Actually, since having our little girl my wife & I have had to start "censoring" ourselves. Its amazing how SOL & SOB just start to roll off your tongue once you start trying. We have our own little cuss language. Like, man, thats Fing BS. Or, hey, Jack-A...F off. It takes work, but its still very effective. :D

[macduff93]

It won't be long before those won't work either, Dustin. I was asked just yesterday what "screw you" means!
:wow:

[Dustin00whoop]

I was actually being about 90% sarcastic....but when something does slip its a lot better to slip with an F rather than the actual word.

[Vlyrock]

You'll notice those words you said that aren't inappropriate (the way you used them) aren't blocked.

If they get misused and abused, they will be, but I understand your point and have thought the same.

[Dustin00whoop]

You'll notice those words you said that aren't inappropriate (the way you used them) aren't blocked.

If they get misused and abused, they will be, but I understand your point and have thought the same.

I'm just giving you a hard time because I realized I haven't given you enough hell lately. :D

[Vlyrock]

I appreciate that. :)

[SHAG69]

Vly Rocks!!

[Pflugerville Ag]

I'm just going to use ass whenever I feel like cussing & you can all insert whatever cuss word you feel appropiate.

Dustin,

Quit being a motherasser and leave Vly alone!

[Dustin00whoop]

Ass Off!