You have too look at it in context. Plus to the immature younger generation, "gay" and "retarded" are signs that is isn't any good. Basically conveying that they dislike it as much as a gay and/or retarded person. It is really dumb, and I think that something needs to be done to all the little children that so through these forums making defamatory comments. It is ridiculous.
But see, our friendly neighborhood EDNG also created a new account (which I won't go into) and he can't post or PM. I don't understand the rules here. Klondike has created a number of account, and all of them have been banned, for reasons which, I have yet to figure out. I mean, their past actions should not reflect on their new accounts. It is a bit odd to just continuiously ban the same two people, because it does no good to anyone.
I have to agree. Though I wonder if they are trying to prevent the same people from doing the same things again but under a new name. Still, EDNG shouldn't be banned over and over again. The only guy I would ban (who could actually still post and PM, I think) was Viagraman.
Nicely put. I KNOW everydaynormalguy was an intregal part of these forums and it feels really empty w/o his witty cynicism! I didn't know how to first take him, but I never saw him cross the line. On topic, he would never have used words like "gay" or "retarded", he'd have alluded in some perplexing manner making YOU feel that way
Creepy. I don't know why but I never read his posts. It was the weirdest thing. I'm pretty sure I only read Juniors' posts because back then I was a newbie, so I was more or less fumbling around to fit in. I did read one though and I really liked it. After that I never heard from him again.
So to all the users who insist on being politically correct, how about you give me a list to words I can't say (obviously you'll have to partially censor them out) so I don't offend anyone in future posts.
Say, here's a novel idea... Instead of other people giving you a list of words, how about you just use some common sense? And besides which, have you not read anything here? It's not the words per se, but rather the context in which they are used. There is nothing wrong with the word "gay" by itself, for example, or when used in context, but it would be considered inappropriate to use the word as a substitute for another adjective to negatively describe something, eg: "This game is awful / rubbish / gay".
i *am* gay...i didnt take any real offence....once you start censoring one word, where does it end? dont get me wrong, i'd rather see that word not used with negative connotation...but meh..........
Thanks for the contribution, but it's not censoring the use of the word, but rather using the word with a negative connotation as you say...
either way....an administrator could simply say please do not use words of phrases that may be offensive? in any case...its funny how the words gay and retarded are shrugged off most of the time...i think its become so commonplace that some of the younger generation(or older) dont even think about the social meanings behind them. now if there were actual gay or mentally challenged bashing...that would be a different story...
Okay, so let me see if I have this right. I can't say this conversation is retarded because (for some) that term is no longer seen as politically correct, and that someone else's common sense finds that socially unacceptable. I can, however, say this conversation is pointless, silly, and asinine because no one has yet been offended by those words. I can't say you are retarded (for the purpose of insulting someone) because that is insulting to retarded people. I can, however, say, you are stupid, overely senstive, and hyper critical for the same purpose. I can't say you are retarded (to an actually retarded person) because some, but not all, people get worked up over that word, and their common sense is "better" than everyone else's. So instead I have to call them mentally disabled...or is it mentally challenged...or is it mentally inhibited. So please tell me when I can use the word retarded and what context is required, because I'd sure like to know.
When you say someone is stupid, you are only talking about a particular person and offending them and their friends. Calling someone hyper critical or oversensitive is only offensive to the people that it is directed at. The word retarded should never be used even when talking about the mentaly disabled. I had a teacher that told me mental health officials rarely call mentally disabled people retarded. It's simply offensive. I personally have a mentally disabled cousin but I would never say he's retarded (call me biased). If you think about the meaning today of retarded, people consider it to mean someone is stupid, and I know that my cousin is incredibly smart. He just can't express himself as well as he would like and learns at a slower pace. IDK, that's just what I think. What does everyone else think? I jst remembered, words such as asinine and silly aren't words that describe a specific group. Unless you call people silly, but that's not what I'm talking about.
i guess for some people the word retarded is simply indispensible from their vocabulary....i say you should be able to use it since there is simply no other word to be found!!
Correct. You can't use the word "retarded" to describe the conversation, but you can use those other words you listed. But I'll reiterate my point from earlier - it's not only because the words are not offensive, but rather that they're used in the correct context. Also, because you are using those words to describe the conversation, rather than a person, this is deemed to not be a personal insult (more on that below). No and yes. No, you can't use the word retarded to describe someone here on this forum, not only because, as you say, it is insulting to "retarded" people, but more so because it is insulting the, one would assume, perfectly mentally capable person that your comment is aimed towards. This is considered a personal insult, which goes against forum rules. Have you read them? Please read them here. To continue, no you can't call someone here on this forum "stupid" either, for the same reason as the above point: it's deemed a personal insult. There are other less-insulting words to get your point across, like the other words you mention. So yes, you can however call people overly-sensitive and hyper-critical if you want. It is not a personal insult, but rather what I'd loosely refer to as "semi-constructive" criticism. To elaborate on the use of the word "stupid" there, and to perfectly illustrate the point I have been repeating — it's not the word that is insulting, but rather the context in which it is used that is insulting. What I mean by that is you should not call a person on these forums stupid, but you can call a game stupid. It is the same word used in both phrases, but one usage is considered insulting and the other is not. I'm not entirely sure that applies here on this forum — although it very well might - who am I to say? However, common sense in a polite society would generally deem this word a bit "harsh" when describing someone who would *probably* prefer to be referred to as mentally-disabled. I'd say it's simply more polite and aware of their feelings to refer to them this way. Saying that though, I'm well aware that there are some "mentally-challenged" people who don't want other people's "sympathy", shall we say, and don't want to be lightly stepped around, and they're happy to be called anything that is literally "correct", rather than what is just polite. That's their personal choice though, not yours. When can you use the word "retarded"? Sheesh, probably never in public or around strangers. That'd be your best bet, to be on the safe side... Can I query though, why are you so eager to use the word retarded? If you want to use it as an insult, then don't. At least not on these forums. If you want to use it as a constructive criticism, there are far more appropriate words. If you want to use it to describe a mentally-disabled person, again, probably just don't use it, unless you personally know the person in question. Now... does anyone want a lesson on when it is appropriate to use the "N" word...?
Ok, i just found this thread and here i go. Heres what i think The use of the word gay, retarded, s**t, or any other such words should not be used. Instead, if you are critizing a game, find a contructive word to say other then, "that games gay" Does that help the dev? no, he has no freaking idea what it means Say, "that games graphics are not polished", ect. Second, you cant please everybody theres always gonna be someone offended at something (someone probaly just got offended when i used freaking) but, i think they should take more of a safe route and censor the words That way no one is pissed except the people who say the words for fun I dont think its offensive to call somebody that, but someone else WILL so yea, if u like those words, dont report but, im gonna report for the sake of the devs and for the forums EDITED OUT
