General Discussions

Browncoat Bar & Grill - Drown you sorrows or the person who created your sorrows (we won't tell)

POSTED BY: Kelkhil
UPDATED: Friday, March 7, 2008 13:09
VIEWED: 14957
PAGE 10 of 16

DANCINGNEKO

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 8:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hell's Kitten:
Quote:
Originally posted by freelancertex:
f*ckin d*uchec*cks
hey, watch your fucking language.
oh.
you did.
sorry. XD

so, here's a ponder (wrong thread, but i don't care) for all you good citizens:
what good are asterisks or other symbols in place of a few select letters in "swear" words? are the words really that cleverly obscured that no one who's below the age of 16 would be able to tell what they are? i mean, is it really better, or more wholesome, or more "child-safe" to read that asterisk-filled type than the actual word? after all, you're still thinking the same thing (or saying it, for those who can't read without moving their lips). or do people really think (say) to themselves "deh-star-oochec-star-cks"? or does the use of these symbols alleviate some sort of guilt people feel for thinking and typing such horrible naughty things?

"oh, dear, me-oh-my, the brute called me a worthless c*cks*cking c*nt f*ckwit, but he typed it with asterisks all classy-like, so it's all okay."

honestly, i don't comprehend the phenomenon.

I've got no answer for most, but for me, sometimes it's to show how truly incoherently upset/angry I am. I mean, I could say something like "with everything that's been going on lately, I feel like a goddamnasslickingdouchebagcuntsuckingmotherfuckingloser" but "I feel like I'm a !@#$%^)_(*&^%#$%=" allows people to get the idea...and some of adults (sometimes I fall under this) are prudes. Then again, I'd also switch to "I feel like a gorramn kawaisoobakamono goutsaodetchenwah..." to describe it also. (Plus, I've got to demonstrate *ahem* "proper" behavior around the lovelies...so yeah, I've got to be a verbal prude at times.)

*presents the ninja-kitty a properly polished and cooled 'Dew, and an ice cream sammich of her choice*
By the way, I know you're collecting souls, but I was wondering if you could point me to an emotion-dectomy or a way to become heartless? Seems to me that it's become a useless item here...

*grabs a golf bag filled with a couple of golf clubs, a baseball bat, a hockey stick, and some similar implements* *grabs a large bottle of whiskey* *strides to the breakables room, placing a "enter at your own risk" sign on the door before entering it*

EMMARIGBY

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 9:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hell's Kitten:
what good are asterisks or other symbols in place of a few select letters in "swear" words?

Well I'm not a computer expert (ha! the very idea!) but I have been told that those of us with puritanical and tyrannical jobs have software that scans e-mails (and possibly web sites?) for 'bad' words. Presumably computers get confused by such obvious ploys. That's why I usually write cr@p to my friends (Hmm, that's probably true in more than the literal sense).

Of course I still get in trouble because as an Animal Care teacher I still have to look at a lot of sites involving the words pen1s etc. I keep trying to explain that this is not animal porn but again, computers = stupid!

I know there are computer experts here. Is all of the above worthwhile or an urban myth about Big Brother surveillance computer software?

___________________

Hissssssssss!

GEE

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 10:36 AM

To a large part you are correct Emma, the company I work for scans emails, which causes problems as we make healthcare packaging/labels/leaflets and there are various words that are on spam lists that we have legitimate use for, which we're forever having to release etc. Computer are not intelligent, they are fast. They can process large amounts of rules but can't make intuitive decisions so essentially you can setup logic systems but you can't ask them to deal with context in the same way a human brain can.

As for HK's point, I fell into the habit on forums kind of to indicate that I don't want to offend anyone. In RL obviously, you can pick up body language etc to get a hint as to whether you are mortally offending someone and whilst I grew up in household that swore freely, I don't like offending people so do tend to modify my language depending on who I am around.

Anyway, drinks for all who wants them, sadly I have got work to do so catch you in a bit.

HELL'S KITTEN

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 1:20 PM

((coos at Neko)) ^__^
((treasures the cold Dew))
i'll search for the emotionectomy for ya....

now, i totally understand the &#$*#$#!! in place of an actual word, as that leaves it completely up to the reader's imagination. that's different than what i'm talking about. and, Emma, i didn't think of the computer software scanning the IntarWub To Be Safe For Teh World bit, so that's a good point. but:

Quote:
Originally posted by gee:
As for HK's point, I fell into the habit on forums kind of to indicate that I don't want to offend anyone.

this is still confusing to me. whether you write "f**k", "f***", "f*ck", or "fuck", it's still meant to be the same word, you're still thinking the same word, and people are still reading the same word, so how is that any less offensive? this is the thing i don't understand. it's like people are under some delusion that the * in place of a few letters makes the word harmless and inoffensive...??

hooman behavior is odd. i must study you more.
((goes back to lurking))

EMMARIGBY

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 1:30 PM

Hoomans may be odd but teenagers are a different species entirely!
Apparently one with no concept of consequences or repurcussions!

I've been nagging my student to hand back in work that wasn't at pass standard - with plenty of dire threats. Just had two hand in with just one word changed. Do they really think this is going to appease my wrath? It just makes me more angry!

Me smash now?! Want hurt squishy students! Splat feeble brains!

Rrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!

___________________
Hissssssssss!

GEE

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 2:18 PM

I don't disagree with you HK, we are odd and it's just one of those weird social things you fall into, it's like different swear words being worse in different countries depending on local culture.

As for teenagers, gah, just no sense of consequences but sadly that holds for most humans. I recommend a nice sturdy five iron should you require a destructo-caddie's advice on the correct implement for dealing with troublesome teenagers.

SISTER

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 2:33 PM

I believe that communicating on boards, as opposed to face-to-face has a lot to do with how we 'swear' here. Due to my history I have been known to truly shock people with my "bad" language. In person, I would just smile and mostly the 'shock/offense' look would fade from their eyes (and if it didn't fuck 'em - assholes). ANYWAY I think THAT (and filter-y work-type computer programs) is why all the ** or __ in some of my most favorite and often used words. Even as we get to 'know' one another online most Hoomans still need the 'facial' expressions and other body language stuff to TRULY understand what's 'meant.'

EMMARIGBY

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 2:35 PM

I've always thought of the careful use of '*'s as the equivalent of saying rude words in a hushed voice. You're angry enough to want to blow off steam but at the same time acknowledging that you're pushing the boundaries of what is socially acceptable!

*eyes 5 iron longingly*
But who would clean up all the mess?!
Plus we get our wages docked if all the students don't pass. Or, you know, survive! Possibly the only thing keeping some of them alive!

___________________
Hissssssssss!

GEE

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 2:48 PM

But surely your pass percentage would increase if you bump off the failing students so you can manipulate the figures to suit the school anyway.

KELKHIL

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 2:50 PM

Morning all.

Sad, sad day today.

*hoists a mug of Dwarven Ale in the air*

To Gary Gygax! May he roll crits as loud and large in the next life!

*takes out a few d20s and rolls them down the bar*

Some men just wanna watch the world burn

Kelkhil
The Shirtless Forsaken