Word censor

[hobbes28]

Here is where there is usually a misunderstanding. Things happen on this forum every day. Most days it's the usual spamming of the forum or people trying to get free advertising. On other days, big issues come up like the ones that brought us to this discussion. The moderators and admins here all talk about these issues and come to a decision. We don't just one of us jump the gun and make a change that will affect the whole member base here without first consulting the group. With issues that deal with censorship, we thouroughly discuss before adding words to the list. We do a cost vs. benefit analysis and you have to ask yourself: Is the word offensive? Is it only used in an offensive way? If not, can you use another word or words to still make it clear what your point is? How many would be offended vs. how many won't be? What reasons are there for someone to be offended that they can't say a word?

There are many more things we discuss when issues come up like this. The only thing that we ask is to trust the way we all run the forum. There is a lot more thought in the process than it may appear.

 

[PNA]

Gotcha!

 

[markc]

I don't know if this helps or not, but it's another way to think about it.
Many people consider message forums to be public places, but it's not like gathering down at the corner to have a chat with your friends. Chase is having a big party at his place. It may be an open invite, but it's still his place. Many people have house rules. This is just one of his.

 

[JamesD]

Nevermind... I deleted the text in my post here because PMs are a better option.

 

[Alex_B]

well, i think one has to accept rules and censorship in a forum. usually there is some reason behind it.

if things go astray, and there seems to be too much censorship which really constrains conversation here, then i could understand an uproar and i also would complain. but as it stands now, censorship is very limited in here and does not hinder reasonable discussion.

I can still say national socialist, can't I? This does not really work as an insult, but it is useful in rational discussions or comments. So everything can be expressed, just unnecessary stirring up of emotions and rude insulting are a bit harder, which is good

 

[castrol]

Salt water becomes sal****er.

That one is my favorite.

 

[hobbes28]

After looking around a little, it seems like we have a little smart in our filters.

Saltwater should be okay now.

 

[JamesD]

You're welcome.

 

[EBphotography]

I don't find the filters to be a problem really...not enough to change. I never find myself saying "Gee, these filters interfere with my reading!" :mrgreen:

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

The filters here aren't "smart" filters, they just do simple pattern matchng... so if we filter on a series of letters, it will catch those letters wherever the may be, even if they are within another word. It can be annoying, but there is no way around it.

Yup, but why bother censoring anything at all?

You never can tell what some people would find offensive.

for example, Chase, put "I Am" under his avatar.

That's seriously offensive to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, not to mention Rastafarians, Mormons, etc,etc....

 

[Chase]

You lost me on the "I am.", but in terms of everything else, most are censored because they are words that the average parent wouldn't want their kid repeating, so I don't think they need to be displayed on here either. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to say we live up to some high moral stadard, it is simply a choice that has been made between myself and the moderating team. As for a couple of other words, they were found offensive to people who I respect enough to have decided to take action by blocking them.

I think we're losing track of a few things here.

Firstly, this isn't a "public" forum for people to practice free speech and come to talk about whatever they feel like talking about. This is a privately owned photography forum where we invite people to come to talk about photography, and while they are here, enjoy themselves with some off-topic discussion as well. Put a big group of people together and there will always be conflict, so we do our best to limit that conflict by creating a certain set of rules and policies. I know this doesn't sound very "politically correct", but people don't have the "right" to free speech here, just like they can't walk into my living room and do whatever they want. People get used to the Internet being a free-for-all, but that is only true when you go out and start your own web site. I'm not on a mission to stop people from having conversation, but there are some policies that we have decided on that I simply ask people to respect. I'm open to hearing the opinions of others regarding them, but in the end, it is our choice.

Secondly, I don't see why this is being made such a big deal over. This is a photography site. The censoring of any of those words has nothing to do with the average person's ability to discuss photography, nor does it make much of a difference on the majority of other off-topic conversations we have here. While I understand that people are highly uncomfortable with any form of censorship, we are quite open about our decisions and, by participating here, we ask that you repect them.

We work hard to make this place as friendly and as inviting as possible, and we do try to take a very hands-off approach to the majority of what is posted here. I believe most would agree that the moderating that takes place is minilmal, as are any major issues with spam, abuse, etc. What the general membership doesn't see is just how much work goes on over a daily basis to keep things that way. Whether it be dealing with spam, people trying to cause trouble, or any number of other issues. The policies we create are tired directly into that along with some basic etiquette that I believe the average person would appreciate.

I'll get off my soapbox now.

 

[Chase]

I've had it explained to me why the "I am" comment was made, which does go to further demonstrate how just about anything can be taken with offense. However, it isn't our goal to stomp out everything that is possibly offensive. It is our goal to limit things we consider to be offensive. I just wanted to make that clear before it is brought up.

I'm stepping back down off my soapbox again.

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

most are censored because they .... wouldn't want their kid repeating, .....simply a choice that has been made between myself and the moderating team. .......Firstly, this isn't a "public" forum for .......privately owned photography forum where we invite people to come to talk about photography, ............this doesn't sound very "politically correct", but people don't have the "right" to free speech here, just like they can't walk into my living room and do whatever they want. People get used to the Internet being a free-for-all, but that is only true when you go out and start your own web site. .......... The policies we create are tired directly into that along with some basic etiquette that I believe the average person would appreciate.

Well, sounds like a clear and cogent argument to me.:thumbup: