54 replies to this topic

[Tsen Shang]

Aris Sung, on 10 November 2011 - 10:57 AM, said:

(serious question) Is it inappropriate to swear, not at somebody but for emphasis? (of course using 'sh**', for example) I am a truck driver and tend toward this. The company you keep, and all that. But I am interested to know. I used it in a post and felt kind of ashamed, it wasn't really necessary. It was intended to add a humorous flavor.

There are many ways to emphasize a point without swearing, and being able to do so will give your argument more credibility. This isn't to say that swearing is bad, I curse like a sailer at home, but it becomes easier to misinterpret your post as hostile or aggressive if you swear.

Unless it's funny. If it's funny then it's ok.

[Aris Sung]

Thank you both, I appreciate it.

[Pht]

I find that swearing becomes a crippling crutch that hampers good expression.

When we always resort to four-letter whatever we lose creativity!

[Red Beard]

Aris Sung, on 10 November 2011 - 10:57 AM, said:

(serious question) Is it inappropriate to swear, not at somebody but for emphasis? (of course using 'sh**', for example) I am a truck driver and tend toward this. The company you keep, and all that.

Even the great literary genius, Mark Twain was a HUGE advocate of cursing, and did it all the time. His writings had next to none only because his publisher frowned upon it.

That said, I spent most of my life in construction, putting together fire sprinkler systems, and never went more than four or five sentences without swearing. Just a way of life, not a way to insult. Most forum-folk, I have found, are like goats, and will pass out if they read a post that contains too much swearing. It is really only the select few that are THAT sensitive that they would suggest not swearing. If you are offended by cursing, then don't read the post. Otherwise, stopping assuming that there are some kind of expectations that people don't use profanity. This is still America and we can still say what we like.

Why should anyone expect so much sensitivity on a forum that revolves around a game based on war and violence, especially when so many in here are trying to "get into a role"? Makes little sense to me, but I guess the answer lies somewhere in the fact that most of you are softer, more sensitive, "indoor folk" and are easily affected by things like words on your screen.

If you cannot discern my point from a post that is, let's say, more colorful, then chances are you are not smart enough to get the point anyway.

People should be able to post WHAT they want, HOW they want. I realize that I am in the minority with this opinion, but this whole thread is something of a joke to me.

[Eidolon]

Red Beard, on 13 November 2011 - 01:01 PM, said:

Mark Twain
fire sprinkler systems
forum-folk, I have found, are like goats
This is still America
most of you are softer, more sensitive, "indoor folk"
chances are you are not smart enough

What is this I don't even

[Red Beard]

Eidolon, on 13 November 2011 - 02:58 PM, said:

What is this I don't even

Precisely what I am talking about.

[Tsen Shang]

Red Beard, on 13 November 2011 - 01:01 PM, said:

Even the great literary genius, Mark Twain was a HUGE advocate of cursing, and did it all the time. His writings had next to none only because his publisher frowned upon it.

"Profanity is the crutch of a conversational cripple."
Jay Alexander

Now that that's out of the way,

Red Beard, on 13 November 2011 - 01:01 PM, said:

That said, I spent most of my life in construction, putting together fire sprinkler systems, and never went more than four or five sentences without swearing. Just a way of life, not a way to insult.

I do the same around friends. Everyone on the Internet is not your friend.

Red Beard, on 13 November 2011 - 01:01 PM, said:

Most forum-folk, I have found, are like goats, and will pass out if they read a post that contains too much swearing.

This is my favorite part of this post! Please take note: This is a great example of a sweeping, insulting generalization that shouldn't be used in any argument ever.

Red Beard, on 13 November 2011 - 01:01 PM, said:

It is really only the select few that are THAT sensitive that they would suggest not swearing. If you are offended by cursing, then don't read the post. Otherwise, stopping assuming that there are some kind of expectations that people don't use profanity.

Clearly you glossed over my response to Aris Sung's post. I'm not suggesting that no one should ever swear, far from it, but if you have a point to get across, why would you willingly alienate those people in the thread who are averse to swearing? In addition, you should probably stop assuming that there are some kind of expectations that everyone else uses profanity as much as you do. Assumptions work both ways.

Red Beard, on 13 November 2011 - 01:01 PM, said:

This is still America and we can still say what we like.

These are international forums on which you are representing (your part of) America. You can say what you like, but judging from a vast majority of this post, few will respect your views based on your love of thinly veiled insults.

Red Beard, on 13 November 2011 - 01:01 PM, said:

Why should anyone expect so much sensitivity on a forum that revolves around a game based on war and violence, especially when so many in here are trying to "get into a role"?

"Civility costs nothing, and buys everything."
Mary Wortley Montagu

Red Beard, on 13 November 2011 - 01:01 PM, said:

Makes little sense to me, but I guess the answer lies somewhere in the fact that most of you are softer, more sensitive, "indoor folk" and are easily affected by things like words on your screen.

Another of my favorites! Thinly veiled insults should never play a part in your argument; they weaken your potential arguments because they provide nothing of value and have the potential to anger the people reading them. Including an insult also shows that your argument is so weak that you must resort to filling space with taunts or offenses instead of information and facts.

Red Beard, on 13 November 2011 - 01:01 PM, said:

If you cannot discern my point from a post that is, let's say, more colorful, then chances are you are not smart enough to get the point anyway.

Understanding a point was never the issue; reluctance to wade through a paragraph of vulgarities is. Few are willing to read through a George Carlin book to uncover an argument. I like George Carlin, he's really funny, but that type of language serves no purpose in written discussion.

Red Beard, on 13 November 2011 - 01:01 PM, said:

People should be able to post WHAT they want, HOW they want.

People ARE free to post what they want how they want. I'm just giving my opinion on the best and most civil way to argue a point.

Red Beard, on 13 November 2011 - 01:01 PM, said:

I realize that I am in the minority with this opinion, but this whole thread is something of a joke to me.

I would venture to say you probably are in the minority, and the fact that this thread is a joke to you is clear. In other news, you are now an inside joke among my friends. Sorry about that

Edit: Copy paste from another site messed with font and color. Fixed.

Edited by Tsen Shang, 13 November 2011 - 04:13 PM.

[Red Beard]

Wow, you like to argue. It is never fair to assume that anyone should attempt to cater to ALL people. I am glad your friends like me.

[Mchawkeye]

Tsen Shang, on 13 November 2011 - 03:58 PM, said:

"Profanity is the crutch of a conversational cripple."
Jay Alexander

Now that that's out of the way,



I do the same around friends. Everyone on the Internet is not your friend.



This is my favorite part of this post! Please take note: This is a great example of a sweeping, insulting generalization that shouldn't be used in any argument ever.



Clearly you glossed over my response to Aris Sung's post. I'm not suggesting that no one should ever swear, far from it, but if you have a point to get across, why would you willingly alienate those people in the thread who are averse to swearing? In addition, you should probably stop assuming that there are some kind of expectations that everyone else uses profanity as much as you do. Assumptions work both ways.



These are international forums on which you are representing (your part of) America. You can say what you like, but judging from a vast majority of this post, few will respect your views based on your love of thinly veiled insults.



"Civility costs nothing, and buys everything."
Mary Wortley Montagu



Another of my favorites! Thinly veiled insults should never play a part in your argument; they weaken your potential arguments because they provide nothing of value and have the potential to anger the people reading them. Including an insult also shows that your argument is so weak that you must resort to filling space with taunts or offenses instead of information and facts.



Understanding a point was never the issue; reluctance to wade through a paragraph of vulgarities is. Few are willing to read through a George Carlin book to uncover an argument. I like George Carlin, he's really funny, but that type of language serves no purpose in written discussion.



People ARE free to post what they want how they want. I'm just giving my opinion on the best and most civil way to argue a point.



I would venture to say you probably are in the minority, and the fact that this thread is a joke to you is clear. In other news, you are now an inside joke among my friends. Sorry about that

Edit: Copy paste from another site messed with font and color. Fixed.

**** it.

[Red Beard]

Mchawkeye, on 14 November 2011 - 03:43 AM, said:

**** it.

Exactly what I am ******* talking! Well spoken Hawkeye!

[empath]

Red Beard, on 13 November 2011 - 01:01 PM, said:

Even the great literary genius, Mark Twain was a HUGE advocate of cursing, and did it all the time. His writings had next to none only because his publisher frowned upon it.

I cuss like my maritime forebears (ya landlubber ) when in appropriate company, BUT...

...but when I am somewhere where there is someone present that I know doesn't like language that could be construed 'offensive' I tone it down...especially when that someone is the host and patron of the discussion.

[Red Beard]

empath, on 14 November 2011 - 09:18 AM, said:

I cuss like my maritime forebears (ya landlubber ) when in appropriate company, BUT...

...but when I am somewhere where there is someone present that I know doesn't like language that could be construed 'offensive' I tone it down...especially when that someone is the host and patron of the discussion.

I guess we are different that way. I choose not to alter who and what I am simply to appease another person. I leave that kind of sniveling to politicians.

[Havoc2]

Red Beard, on 14 November 2011 - 10:24 PM, said:

I guess we are different that way. I choose not to alter who and what I am simply to appease another person. I leave that kind of sniveling to politicians.

That makes you an inconsiderate ********, not a strong personality.

I also grew up in construction where the 4-letter work that sounds like DUCK can be used as a verb, adverb, noun and adjective.
Around people I know and know that they are comfortable with the language, I speak freely.

Around people that I just met/don't know well I speak with a little reservation until I can get a feel for if the person is going to be offended by it or not.


Just because I don't mind people cursing, doesn't mean that no one minds people cursing.
Some people like to get kicked in the nuts. You want to get greeted that way?

[Forsakened]

Alistair Steiner, on 06 November 2011 - 01:05 PM, said:

I see what you did there. And quite honestly, everyone who goes on any forum anywhere (or anywhere that they can post publicly) should have to read this. Well done, and deserves a sticky.

First off I agree with you all on this, and just for the laughs of it.

HOW ELSE WILL I GET MY TWO YEAR OLD POINTLESS IDEAL ACROSS IF I DO NOT USE ALL CAPS?

[Yeach]

Someone is wrong on the internet.

Edited by Yeach, 15 November 2011 - 11:41 PM.