Should any words be banned in online discussions?

Well, there’s the always picky n word. I don’t think there’s an appropriate way (or need) to use that online, unless you’re quoting Twain.

Only racial slurs, and things of this sort:

oHmIgAwD, lAwL u r 2 cUtE. LiKe.. lAwL wAnT 2 mAk oUt wiF mEe?

I want to say yes, but i’m also anti-censorship. I think some things are rude and unnecessary, but I don’t think we should actually enfore it. However, I do agree with @chelseababyy about that typing! I don’t believe in censoring, but man that stuff is headache inducing!

Not unilaterally. I think it depends on the context. Here on fluther you can always flag a post that is offensive. There is no need to ban me from writing “fuck-yeah” right now.

FUCK NO!

thereis alsothe issueof the runon sentences And Creative speling like skewlandcolagspeeking of headahces. And here are lots of fluther opinions on the “fuck,” “shit” etc. issues.

The consensus was that it made one’s argument or comment boring and vague, rather than offensive.

It would be nice but it ain’t gonna happen. I fail to see how using vulgar gutter language can enhance an argument or a sentence, but I am in the minority.

@chelseababyy
Nigger, Beaner, Cracker, Chink.

Now that that’s out of the way, allow me to explain. There is nothing offensive about words. They can only become offensive by the way that they are delivered. Just saying “nigger” for example, is not offensive. If I say it to someone in a derogatory way, they are justified in perceiving those words as derogatory. It’s about the message, not the words themselves.

Certainly, using any words in an explanation of the words themselves is also not offensive. There is no reason to ever say “n word”.

@Vinifera7 I disagree. In whatever context, way, or fashions those words are used I believe they’re wrong. I’m a lover of the English language, literature, and words. But even those, in my book, are just disrespectful.

@chelseababyy How about in many classic books written by Twain, Poe, Christie, etc…?

@chelseababyy
Except you are wrong.

If a white American gets into an argument with a black American, then shouts “Fuck you, you piece of shit n word!” does that make it alright? No. It doesn’t. Because the derogatory message is still there. It doesn’t matter what word you use, really. Nothing is disrespectful unless it is delivered in a disrespectful manner.

Let’s look at another example. “Jew” is the name of a follower of Judaism, just like Muslim is a follower of Islam, and Scientologist is a follower of Scientology. Using the word “Jew”, let’s examine two scenarios, then try to determine which one is offensive and which one isn’t. 1) My next door neighbor is a Jew. 2) Come on, let’s go out for once. Stop being a Jew!

It’s just my opinion. Take it for what you will. I stand by what I said. I think it’s disrespectful.

@chelseababyy
Good for you. Go enjoy your unsubstantiated opinion.

It depends on the context entirely.

Twot and Snatch should definately go.

Not unless it is overdone. If every other word that a person uses is a curse word then something is wrong. Other than that, attitude is more important than words, although use of racial slurs would seem to imply a certain unhealthy attitude.

If a voluntary group decides amongst themselves to not use certain words, it is not censorship.

@steelmarket
What you’re referring to is a group of people deciding on an individual basis not to use certain words. I am fine with that, as long as those rules are not enforced among the group. If someone makes a personal decision not to use certain words, it’s self-censorship, which is perfectly acceptable.

Actually, I am referring to a group that decides, as a group, to abide by any rules of behavior. For example, by using Fluther, we all agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions. If you break those rules, and are disapproved of or disciplined, that action is not censorship.

I do not swear, unless I am angry or telling a joke. I think that people swear just because they think its “Cool” and everything. Saying this, then probably yes. Though it isn’t like I can’t deal with them, I just prefer not to hear them. (Thought that is hard with an older brother, but not as much because he is nerdy).

@steelmarket
I don’t think Fluther is a good analogy. Fluther is a service that you are allowed to use if you do not violate the terms. If Fluther decides to censor a particular user, it’s justified because Fluther is a service.

@90s_kid
I use certain words that people might find impolite to add emphasis.

@Vinifera7 , I agree. I think we are really talking about the same thing…
Fluthering is a privilege, not a right.

I don’t use swear words, and I don’t like hearing them. To me it seems as pointless as saying ummm. People who claim they use swear words for emphasis seem to overlook the fact that a swear word would be no more forceful than a non-swear word if it wasn’t somehow “taboo”. Only the fact that it is a swear word supposedly add force, when in reality, there are many more forceful words in the English language for anyone who has the vocabulary to use them.

Taking a pleasant experience and turning it into a swear word just doesn’t make sense to me.

Fuck yeah!