Remove Vulgar Thread Titles

[shadow]

Don't make ridiculous assertions for the sake of being glib if you don't really mean them.

The point was that I didn't. That's why I said "don't be fucking silly".

Swearing *is* an indicator of higher intelligence and it *does* relieve stress and pain. That is backed up by science.

It's not a baseless assertion to just point out a fact... but it is baseless and fucking silly for you to suggest that I was saying that I'm a genius because I swear a lot and you're too stupid to understand my constant swearing because you don't swear enough lol. Nowhere did I say any such fucking thing

Just because swearing is a sign of higher intelligence statistically doesn't mean someone is a fucking idiot if they don't swear. But nor is there anything wrong with swearing and it is actually good for your health.

Once again, it's only as wrong as people believe it is based on nothing. Much like actual curses ala witches and black magic and the like. Superstition likewise only upsets people when they believe in it. Being hurt by so-called "bad" words that aren't bad, is much the same.

So I said "don't be fucking silly" because you made a strawman that was fucking silly

I would say that bragging that there is some correlation between swearing and intelligence is nothing but an attempt to give credulity and a positive spin to using words with offensive connotations for no actual reason, and in my exemplifying that in practicality this is entirely unsubstantiated, you might consider that this argument is highly flawed. It's not silly - what's silly is that fact that in practical application, what you're suggesting is some sort of relationship between swearing and intelligence appears ridiculous, because it is. Correlation arguments are so misleading in the first place; don't then call false correlations with no logical causal link.

You are welcome to believe that being crass indicates that you are intelligent if it makes you feel better. Understand that you're behaving without any purpose but to offend some people. To me it conveys nothing but a lack of self-discipline. I personally hold self-discipline in extraordinarily high regard.

If it's good for your health, it's because you enjoy, what, bothering some people? Emotional outbursts aren't what "good for your health" means . I wouldn't say bullying people is good for your health because it, you know, ups your self-esteem. How weak are you that you need such base support to support your health? Really. If you want to relieve stress, go for a run.

I have better things to do than pretend we're having a reasoned discussion when you're not even willing or able to communicate without infusing every sentence with vulgarity. It's not the words that bother me, it's what they say about the mindset and decision-making of the person using them. Anyways, enjoy your good health and enlightenment.

[Catholic_Lady]

Words do have weight and carry meaning though. As humams, it's the number 1 way we communicate and express ourselves. An obvious example: I can't just start calling people "nigger" and tell them not to care because it's just a word. I dont think that would fly, as it shouldnt. Words have meaning.

Again, I'm not complaining about all the vulgarity on AF's main page via thread titles. No skin off my back. But do I think it is somewhat trashy looking? Yes. Yes I do. I don't think anyone should be criticised for having that opinion.

Hmm I mostly just look at “my posts” with an occasional peek at “new posts”. I don’t see any swear words in any titles right now. I must be confused about what main page you mean because when I look at the main page I just see a list of forums and sub forums and no actual titles. I think it’d be cool if people just didn’t use really vulgar words in their titles but I don’t think we should have a rule against it, mainly for reasons I already said like that it would be impossible to agree on which words were ok and which are too vulgar for titles, but also because I think the rules should be the bare minimum to keep the forum running and whenever possible we shouldn’t limit people on what they’re allowed to say here.
I don’t know if it’s because I don’t pay attention or what but I don’t really think we have that many posts with vulgarities in the titles.

I wasn't implying there's a lot of it. Just saying I'm not complaining about what's there.

[mlmooney89]

I think making a post in all caps and all vulgar words is petty and immature but sure let's say cursing is a sign of intelligence... I also vividly recall a number of rednecks cursing up a storm when they don't have a lick of sense between the whole lot of them. I don't think cursing correlates with intelligence. The best you have is it is a stress relief because it helps express anger which is healthy.

[Catholic_Lady]

I think what they meant perhaps is that wit correlates with intelligence. But one can throw around curse words in a way that isn't at all witty.

[Jackalope]

I think making a post in all caps and all vulgar words is petty and immature

^^^

Given that it appeared to be a direct response to this suggestion, I'd call it vindictive as well.

As to the other point, there are times when a well-placed expletive is appropriate to get a point across, but overuse, and use to simply get a rise out of others is childish.

I'd also like to point out that such threads could arguably run afoul of the Prime Directive.

[Neo-Scholastic]

Running the risk of a real thread in the suggestions box...we use "vulgar" language because it's expressive. 
"These vicars!"

"These fucking vicars!"

One is ambiguous, and so..inept.

Vulgarity signals the laziness of those who use it and serves only as a substitute for truly descriptive language.

These corrupt vicars...
These perverted vicars...
These arrogant vicars...
These incompetent vicars...
These foolish vicars...

Out of the richness of the entire English language you'd rather use words that add no meaningful content to what you want to say.

[Aegon]

To be honest I'm more worried about the big "ATHEIST FORUMS" banner than I am any profanity. Can we bring back the "stealth mode" feature that I see in my profile?

[Shell B]

No, a pretty even mix from middle to lower class. Some of you are educated but alcohol and other factors have put you in far less desirable situations.

What a very strange thing to say. The middle class ranges right up to just below the 1%. That means you can make more than $200,000 annually and still be middle class. Are you seriously snubbing your nose at that? If I were a betting person, I'd say it's statistically likely, especially if you live in one of the cheaper states, that many of the atheists on this forum make significantly more money than you do. On top of that, you're making a really crazy assumption about people's imbibing. I don't even take prescription pain meds when they're prescribed. I think Tibs has had a handful of beers in the past year. Our position is pretty fucking desirable, especially when he comes at it from behind. So, why you bein' a bitch?

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Running the risk of a real thread in the suggestions box...we use "vulgar" language because it's expressive. 
"These vicars!"

"These fucking vicars!"

One is ambiguous, and so..inept.

Vulgarity signals the laziness of those who use it and serves only as a substitute for truly descriptive language.

These corrupt vicars...
These perverted vicars...
These arrogant vicars...
These incompetent vicars...
These foolish vicars...

Out of the richness of the entire English language you'd rather use words that add no meaningful content to what you want to say.

As something of an English language expert, I call bullshit. You don't have to plumb the depths of your thesaurus to produce forceful, meaningful, concise language. In fact, it is much preferred that you use a more conversational tone in anything short of technical writing. No one but the smarmiest of assholes likes to read sesquipedalian authors. Everyone secretly prefers the modern penny dreadful. Swears are just words. That you find them vulgar is your problem. They serve their function well. Any offense taken on your part is just a bonus.

---

Words do have weight and carry meaning though. As humams, it's the number 1 way we communicate and express ourselves. An obvious example: I can't just start calling people "nigger" and tell them not to care because it's just a word. I dont think that would fly, as it shouldnt. Words have meaning.

Again, I'm not complaining about all the vulgarity on AF's main page via thread titles. No skin off my back. But do I think it is somewhat trashy looking? Yes. Yes I do. I don't think anyone should be criticised for having that opinion.

Nigger isn't a swear word. It's a racial slur. Fucking, shit, piss, cunt, nigger. One of these things is not like the other. One might look trashy. The other definitely looks racist. Still, even that word has its place, be it in literature, from the mouths of people socially "allowed" to say it, etc. Honestly, I don't mind if people say nigger in a demeaning way or call people that word. It lets me know who to avoid.

[Neo-Scholastic]

I think it’d be cool if people just didn’t use really vulgar words in their titles but I don’t think we should have a rule against it, mainly for reasons I already said like that it would be impossible to agree on which words were ok and which are too vulgar for titles, but also because I think the rules should be the bare minimum to keep the forum running and whenever possible we shouldn’t limit people on what they’re allowed to say here.

If the mods decided to set baseline community standards, not everyone has to agree with it, but those decisions must still to be respected, even the decision to have no limits at all. It will always be a judgment call. And it need not be too controversial. Most people, I believe, could understand a "Thanksgiving Dinner" rule i.e. if most people wouldn't say it in front of their whole family then it shouldn't be in a thread title.

I presume that's why Area 69 exists. Because certain topics and ways of speaking are not appropriate for general public viewing.

[Catholic_Lady]

No, a pretty even mix from middle to lower class. Some of you are educated but alcohol and other factors have put you in far less desirable situations.

What a very strange thing to say. The middle class ranges right up to just below the 1%. That means you can make more than $200,000 annually and still be middle class. Are you seriously snubbing your nose at that? If I were a betting person, I'd say it's statistically likely, especially if you live in one of the cheaper states, that many of the atheists on this forum make significantly more money than you do. On top of that, you're making a really crazy assumption about people's imbibing. I don't even take prescription pain meds when they're prescribed. I think Tibs has had a handful of beers in the past year. Our position is pretty fucking desirable, especially when he comes at it from behind. So, why you bein' a bitch?

---

Vulgarity signals the laziness of those who use it and serves only as a substitute for truly descriptive language.

These corrupt vicars...
These perverted vicars...
These arrogant vicars...
These incompetent vicars...
These foolish vicars...

Out of the richness of the entire English language you'd rather use words that add no meaningful content to what you want to say.

As something of an English language expert, I call bullshit. You don't have to plumb the depths of your thesaurus to produce forceful, meaningful, concise language. In fact, it is much preferred that you use a more conversational tone in anything short of technical writing. No one but the smarmiest of assholes likes to read sesquipedalian authors. Everyone secretly prefers the modern penny dreadful. Swears are just words. That you find them vulgar is your problem. They serve their function well. Any offense taken on your part is just a bonus.

---

Words do have weight and carry meaning though. As humams, it's the number 1 way we communicate and express ourselves. An obvious example: I can't just start calling people "nigger" and tell them not to care because it's just a word. I dont think that would fly, as it shouldnt. Words have meaning.

Again, I'm not complaining about all the vulgarity on AF's main page via thread titles. No skin off my back. But do I think it is somewhat trashy looking? Yes. Yes I do. I don't think anyone should be criticised for having that opinion.

Nigger isn't a swear word. It's a racial slur. Fucking, shit, piss, cunt, nigger. One of these things is not like the other. One might look trashy. The other definitely looks racist. Still, even that word has its place, be it in literature, from the mouths of people socially "allowed" to say it, etc. Honestly, I don't mind if people say nigger in a demeaning way or call people that word. It lets me know who to avoid.

What I meant was words carry meaning and the notion that no one should care because words are just words, doesn't really work.