Dirty usernames
- Thread starter Chadook
- Start date
SheepishWolf
Paragon
It would depend on how dirty or insulting; what you consider dirty is probably different from others. I'd draw the "dirty" line at usernames you'd find on a porn hook up website. I would draw the insulting line on a name-to-name basis, but things that are seriously directly homophobic, racist, etc. would be not allowed.
Jack~Rouse
Reputable
SheepishWolf said:
What would you determine as homophobic or racist etc ?
Is the internet not supposed to be about free speech, by limiting what people call themselves you are promoting censorship.
-- 13 Feb 2013, 22:14 --
bloom said:
I think those are quite funny, you need to get a thicker skin, there are far more serious things in life to worry about.
I have a guy on one forum I run called Rsole, I find it quite amusing.
I've posted (a slightly differently edited version of) this elsewhere on the internet, but it certainly applies here too...
As for any ideas of free speech? On your site you can do what you want... But on my site free speech is limited to be only free so long as it's not offensive to others. (Or essentially, users can state whatever they want, but if they make offensive comments then they have to deal with the consequences of their comments.) So, for example, using racial slurs for a name is not justifiable by any regard. (You're still free to make those comments, but I'm also free to take action like deleting those comments or changing offensive usernames.) I do not want that sort of behaviour on my site at all. I do not want members or potential guests to be uncomfortable/insulted or turned away because one person's username was offensive.
And if one person's idea of fun is offending people? I'd rather they weren't on my site. They're probably just a troll anyway and my site will be better off without them around. Because like I pointed out in my quote, if they're joining with an offensive username, they probably aren't there to be a good/contributing member of the site to begin with.
Censorship is not all bad all the time, it has it's place too. People have a right to be free from sexist, homophobic and racial slurs. And (on my site) if it means taking away one person's right to free speech to protect others from having to hear grossly offensive comments, I will do that. One person's right to say whatever they want will always be outweighed by other's rights not to hear hate speech.
As for any ideas of free speech? On your site you can do what you want... But on my site free speech is limited to be only free so long as it's not offensive to others. (Or essentially, users can state whatever they want, but if they make offensive comments then they have to deal with the consequences of their comments.) So, for example, using racial slurs for a name is not justifiable by any regard. (You're still free to make those comments, but I'm also free to take action like deleting those comments or changing offensive usernames.) I do not want that sort of behaviour on my site at all. I do not want members or potential guests to be uncomfortable/insulted or turned away because one person's username was offensive.
And if one person's idea of fun is offending people? I'd rather they weren't on my site. They're probably just a troll anyway and my site will be better off without them around. Because like I pointed out in my quote, if they're joining with an offensive username, they probably aren't there to be a good/contributing member of the site to begin with.
Censorship is not all bad all the time, it has it's place too. People have a right to be free from sexist, homophobic and racial slurs. And (on my site) if it means taking away one person's right to free speech to protect others from having to hear grossly offensive comments, I will do that. One person's right to say whatever they want will always be outweighed by other's rights not to hear hate speech.
Jack~Rouse
Reputable
WOW must have taken you some time to come up with all that, when basically you are saying that if you do not agree with something you will delete it or ban the member.
Which reminds me of a very well known quotation which may or may not apply in this case, but could be construed as an allegory:
One mans terrorist, is another mans freedom fighter.
What you are saying is that taking the above, YOU alone would decide if a remark similar to that is offensive.
In reality what happens is that people react to the minority, governments do it, everyone does it.
As an example take the "Gay rights" movement, definitely a minority in every country, but yet in the western world, through protest and making a nuisance of themselves they now have more rights than the majority, simply because the majority failed to stand up and say "Wait a minute, we don't want them to have more rights than us".
The same sort of thing is happening in Britain today, the minority of non-ethnic people cry racism every ime a decision goes against them, the indigenous call it "playing the race card" because it works and no-one, not even the government wants to be seen to say "no" just in case they are accused of racism.
We have become too afraid of upsetting other other people, we have become too afraid to speak our minds, for fear of being called a racist or homophobic, when in reality; in lot of cases, patriotism has been mistaken for racism, and genuine concern has been mistaken for homophobia.
I'll leave you with a thought, in American Carribean culture they quite openly call each other the "N" word, and everything is rosy, yet if a Caucasian utters that word it is deemed as offensive, how come ?
Seems like double standards to me.
Which reminds me of a very well known quotation which may or may not apply in this case, but could be construed as an allegory:
One mans terrorist, is another mans freedom fighter.
What you are saying is that taking the above, YOU alone would decide if a remark similar to that is offensive.
In reality what happens is that people react to the minority, governments do it, everyone does it.
As an example take the "Gay rights" movement, definitely a minority in every country, but yet in the western world, through protest and making a nuisance of themselves they now have more rights than the majority, simply because the majority failed to stand up and say "Wait a minute, we don't want them to have more rights than us".
The same sort of thing is happening in Britain today, the minority of non-ethnic people cry racism every ime a decision goes against them, the indigenous call it "playing the race card" because it works and no-one, not even the government wants to be seen to say "no" just in case they are accused of racism.
We have become too afraid of upsetting other other people, we have become too afraid to speak our minds, for fear of being called a racist or homophobic, when in reality; in lot of cases, patriotism has been mistaken for racism, and genuine concern has been mistaken for homophobia.
I'll leave you with a thought, in American Carribean culture they quite openly call each other the "N" word, and everything is rosy, yet if a Caucasian utters that word it is deemed as offensive, how come ?
Seems like double standards to me.
Jack~Rouse
Reputable
Gimgak said:
You assume too much, how are you aware of my ethnic origins ?
squeeksplace
Up-and-Coming Sensation
if a username contains a swear word i generally ask the user to change it. if they dont then i'll ban them
VirusZero said:
+rep there! My sentiments exactly! I have a forum that's meant for all ages...no age restrictions, so I don't allow any foul language, nothing that is considered rude or harsh towards other members, etc. So yeah.
I only force to change those user names which are associated with adult/porn words which are not good for webmaster or making money related forum.. if they don't change I take my option and delete them but retail the posts..
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