Censor Swearing/Vulgarity?

[93formulalt1]

How about this. . . In the shoutbox earlier, there was a conversation about the Harrell camaros. . . **** Harrell. Notice my concern here? An automotive legend's name bleeped out. . . Kind of strange, eh? lol

[WMCC Doug]

I would have to dissagree with those that think "everyone swears", because that simply is not true.

And I believe that those that feel the need to resort to swearing or foul language to get their point across, simply do not have a good enough command of the English language.

Swearing and foul language serves no positive purpose, what so ever.

[cjmatt]

can we let it allow some pretty non offensive words like d-a-m-n though

[knuckles]

oh boy here we go...
ok so i understand that people have their own opinions and thats fine, but to say that since i swear it means i dont have a good enough command on the english language? thats the the way some people talk. you think its ridiculous that people talk like that, i think its ridiculous that people get offended by it. everybody is different and everybody has their own opinions, but who gets to say who is right? why should i have to change how i talk just because you dont like it? but hey if seeing stars helps you sleep at night whatever

anyway its cool no worries im just saying

[WMCC Doug]

If you lookk at my post, you'll see that I didn't say it offended me. I worked in a factory for nearly 30 years, and have heard everything.

But, I think swearing is simply not necessary. It serves no useful purpose.

Why anyone would feel proud to sound like a street punk is beyond me?????
Many people on this site are college students or college educated. They made an effort to get a "higher education", so why not sound like it?

I'm sorry, but swearing does not make anyone sound intelligent.

[CollinsAutomotive]

B this all seems very well intentioned. I understand where you are comming from. However my personal feeling is that Cars are not a G-rated Hobby. Kids don't own cars.Most every car guy I know swears like a sailor while even being in the presence of a car. Automotbiles are one of the few areas of self expression left. If people are to thinned skiined to take the ocassion repition of the Dirty seven they really don't belong in a hobby full of people who liberally use the dirty seven like masterpieces of art deco decore.

I personally do not agree with censorship in any form becuase it give power to the word instead of just taking that stance that a word is a word. Its not the content Ie gramactically, but the context that makes it offensive.

thats just my 2 cents.

Sean

Alright guys, I had some interesting conversations with some people recently about swearing/vulgarity/cussing on the site. Nothing in particular, just in general. A few points were brought up, and I want to know what people think.

Here's a few points:
1. Swearing/vulgarity/cussing might detract from the site's image to non-members

2. Older folk might be turned off to the site due to the swearing/vulgarity

3. Some people, depending on where they work, might not be able to visit the site due to the vulgarity/swearing on the site.

4. Most of the people don't use it much, but there are times where it's used too much or really detracts from the thread.

And the other side:
1. Language sensitivity has really gotten laid back over the past decade, swearing isn't as taboo as it used to be to most people.

2. Most of the people here don't seem to get offended from random vulgarity, as long as it's used in context of the post. IE: Ranting about the car being broken, etc.

3. Some people like to use "spirited" language, and might feel smothered with censorship.


So, quite simply -- do you agree or disagree with upping the censorship on the website? This would basically include swear words and some vulgar sexual words. I'm not wanting to go overboard and censor everything, just things that I think people could be offended by.

[knuckles]

i wasnt referring to you about being offended, just in general. and like i said i understand everybody having their own opinions and thats great. im just saying mine. just because you think only street punks swear that means noone should be allowed to? there has to be limits on it obviously, i never swear in front of kids and very rarely do i swear in bad taste. but i think its just part of most peoples lives. swearing doesnt make anyone less educated or a street punk, and i think its kind of bull to say that. if you dont like swearing dont swear.

by the way brian im all for whatever you want to do, its your site you know? im just stating my opinion

[CollinsAutomotive]

I was making a general statement. the F*** word by itself could not be offensive. Smash your hand on a bolt while having a wrench slip off and F**** g*d** Wrench comes flying out. How is that offensive ?

On the other hand if some said.

your a F**** A*** J*** "insert whatever other derragatory term you can find" that is offensive.

However using flexiable adjectives offers nothing to offend. If you go to NewYork city people don;t even think anything of what other people consider foul language.

Its a matter of perspective. If you give language the power to be offensive then you are granting others power over you by doing so. As I said before its not the Content but the Context that makes things vulgar.

Sean

PS I didn't take any offense at what you siad. You have a fiarly standard, reasonable opnion on reasonable language use.

i wasnt referring to you about being offended, just in general. and like i said i understand everybody having their own opinions and thats great. im just saying mine. just because you think only street punks swear that means noone should be allowed to? there has to be limits on it obviously, i never swear in front of kids and very rarely do i swear in bad taste. but i think its just part of most peoples lives. swearing doesnt make anyone less educated or a street punk, and i think its kind of bull to say that. if you dont like swearing dont swear.

by the way brian im all for whatever you want to do, its your site you know? im just stating my opinion

[knuckles]

sorry sean i posted that before i even saw your message it wasnt about what you posted

[Bowtie-Bri]

I totally agree 100% Brian.
I've been on other sites before, where the language is so bad, that I chose not to visit them again. Kudos to you for keeping this site clean! For Brian!
I know that some people might not like that and say go somewhere else if you don't like it here. I don't think that is what you would want. I enjoy coming here, and I thank you for your efforts!

[meissen]

To make a compromise on this, since a few people spoke up about it, I relaxed some of the censored words. Other ones I left.

[phoenix_rising]

This will be a lot more involved than you may think. First off what words are considered to be taboo? Most people know that car guys naturally swear like sailors. Also what use of those terms is acceptable? Say for instance the word "shit" can be used "Holy Shit thats amazing!" Or "Oh no that looks like shit". Same idea can be applied to many. Also, what about the term whore? If we are considering cleaning up the site, maybe we should not be using terms such as postwhore because some may be offended by that term. My vote goes for not censoring. Also what would be done to those that transgress? I have always taken Mifbody lightly since I am used to "garage talk". It is a nice idea but I don't think it fits the demographic.

[meissen]

Censoring postwhore because of the use "whore" is totally overboard and unrealistic.

Edit: Also, as a comparison... shit is not censored, whereas on CamaroZ28.com it is.

[MikeM]

Very interesting discussion, good opinions both ways . . . I voted against it because I disagree with censorship in all forms.

I agree with some of the comments that others made, stating that swearing is a poor substitute for good command of the language, but I think that if certain people choose to express themselves that way, then who are we to censor? Censorship is the beginning of larger information control.

Not that I think B is trying to stifle anyone's opininons just that it's more of a principle thing.

[93formulalt1]

Here's my opinion: I have a car, and I am looking for something a little faster, nicer, just overall better. When I decide what to do to said car, Here's my goal. When I drive by, I don't want people to stare, I want their jaw to drop and the word "DAMN" to be uttered by everyone there. Not the word "****" lol