Maybe I have just been doing "the online thing" for too long. I have long since reached the point where words in the general sense no longer offend me. I am not saying I am immune to having my feelings hurt or my buttons pushed, but it will be the intent of the individual saying the things that bother me rather than the words themselves.
I can watch people call each other jews, faggots, ******s, pussies, spics, crackers, nerds, pedos, losers, fat basement dwelling jobless retards, whatever without feeling the need to call my local congressman and tell him what's what. Typically the intent on the internet is a combination of harmless poking of fun combined with anonimity opening up the vocabulary most people look around the room before using IRL. Am I saying this is classy and should be encouraged? Hardly. I'm not gonna have a little cry over it though. I can watch Finawin call half the forum pussies without finding myself offended that someone would imply the inferiority of women (or cats) by using such terminology...
These words by themselves and their use in a general sense may not be held in the best regard, but I think the alternative of censoring everything that might offend someone is much worse. Where do you draw the line? Some people are offended by sexuality, some people bathroom humor, some religion, etc. Shall we dumb all conversation down to the point that there is no flavor or substance and everyone spends more time trying not to offend anyone than they do actually saying anything? I bet even then someone would still be offended.
My opinion changes when words become directed toward someone with the deliberate intent of hurting that person. People being called fat who have a weight problem, people being picked on for their race or sexual preferences, etc etc. The point where it becomes directed insults or even harassment it becomes something different all together. This I believe should be discouraged and fought as needed. This is a fairly friendly place for the most part and no one deserves to be singled out and abused. I tend to avoid namecalling myself as most forum denizens really need little to no help in making themselves look ridiculous. That's not to say I am above a little trolling for personal amusement.
Of course all of these opinions are moot (yes not mute jc so many people say this) as this is a privately owned/operated forum and server and those in charge and those they deputize can mete out justice and drop the banhammer where they see fit.
TL;DR - Down with censorship; Harassment = Bad; Sticks and stones my friend; P99/EQEMU = NOT a democracy.
I forget anything?
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