(Note: Unfiltered profanities marked with "*"; Research was done. P.S. This took days to write, so if any staff members are reading this, please take time to go over everything I wrote after this. Thanks!)
-TechyUniverse
Before I get to any details, I understand the essential aspect of the filtration system. It's to prevent vulgar words from being used in chat in discriminatory and/or generally offensive ways. However, I find some hypocrisy within this system. I see moderators warning and muting others for using such a word that typically isn't used in an offensive manner. This word is the "f word". In chat, words like "*ass" and "*shit" are allowed, which in many other people's eyes are seen as very similar words behind the category of profanity. The "f word" falls in this same category. Subsequent to consulting a moderator on the matter, I was told that the "f word" is looked at as more of an offensive word, or a slur, than a word that may be used as a simple exclamation to express anger, disbelief, shock, etc. I asked others around the server and my most common answer was that the f word is used mostly as an exclamation. To further back up this claim, I did some research and found a more descriptive way to explain how the f word is used. Quote, "The f-word can be a very hurtful, offensive, mean, and/or vulgar word. However, in adults' conversations and certain situations, it can serve as comic relief, a colorful method of expressing frustration, surprise, astonishment, and friendly exclamation amongst many other things." (source: en.wikipedia.org) The phrase "can be" is very strong in the first sentence of this quote. Apply it to any other profanity word that isn't filtered in chat, such as *shit, *ass, etc. They CAN BE offensive. Staff in chat moderate these words being used, making sure they are not being used in a harmful manner. I don't see why moderators can't do the same for the f word. If it is being used in a mean way then that person would be told to be appropriate or would receive a warning. If the word is being used accordingly, merely being used as an exclamation or to put emphasis on a word, then it is being used appropriately. Also, in this quote, it exclusively described the word being used in "adult conversations". This implies that if the f word is ONLY used in a mature fashion, then it shouldn't be remotely offensive. This all boils down to it being moderated in chat by active moderators, just as any other curse word is treated. I did some more research and found another response to the chat filtration system made by a staff member. SrMod Hallowqueen states, "If you’re swearing to attack someone, that’s not okay, but if you’re swearing just for the sake of it, and aren’t meaning any harm or breaking any rules, that’s fine. If you don’t wish to see someone swearing, even if they’re doing it within the rules, you can /ignore them to prevent any altercations." (source: https://manacube.com/threads/new-word-filter.46241/#post-140907) With this, I can confidently conclude this debate. There shouldn't be any reason why moderators across Manacube cannot restraint players from using the f word in a derogatory style. This word should be allowed to be used by everyone across the platform as long as they are following Manacubes guidelines. If you are a staff member reading this right now, I request that you respond to this message thoroughly as I would very much appreciate an answer! Thank you for your time.
-TechyUniverse
Before I get to any details, I understand the essential aspect of the filtration system. It's to prevent vulgar words from being used in chat in discriminatory and/or generally offensive ways. However, I find some hypocrisy within this system. I see moderators warning and muting others for using such a word that typically isn't used in an offensive manner. This word is the "f word". In chat, words like "*ass" and "*shit" are allowed, which in many other people's eyes are seen as very similar words behind the category of profanity. The "f word" falls in this same category. Subsequent to consulting a moderator on the matter, I was told that the "f word" is looked at as more of an offensive word, or a slur, than a word that may be used as a simple exclamation to express anger, disbelief, shock, etc. I asked others around the server and my most common answer was that the f word is used mostly as an exclamation. To further back up this claim, I did some research and found a more descriptive way to explain how the f word is used. Quote, "The f-word can be a very hurtful, offensive, mean, and/or vulgar word. However, in adults' conversations and certain situations, it can serve as comic relief, a colorful method of expressing frustration, surprise, astonishment, and friendly exclamation amongst many other things." (source: en.wikipedia.org) The phrase "can be" is very strong in the first sentence of this quote. Apply it to any other profanity word that isn't filtered in chat, such as *shit, *ass, etc. They CAN BE offensive. Staff in chat moderate these words being used, making sure they are not being used in a harmful manner. I don't see why moderators can't do the same for the f word. If it is being used in a mean way then that person would be told to be appropriate or would receive a warning. If the word is being used accordingly, merely being used as an exclamation or to put emphasis on a word, then it is being used appropriately. Also, in this quote, it exclusively described the word being used in "adult conversations". This implies that if the f word is ONLY used in a mature fashion, then it shouldn't be remotely offensive. This all boils down to it being moderated in chat by active moderators, just as any other curse word is treated. I did some more research and found another response to the chat filtration system made by a staff member. SrMod Hallowqueen states, "If you’re swearing to attack someone, that’s not okay, but if you’re swearing just for the sake of it, and aren’t meaning any harm or breaking any rules, that’s fine. If you don’t wish to see someone swearing, even if they’re doing it within the rules, you can /ignore them to prevent any altercations." (source: https://manacube.com/threads/new-word-filter.46241/#post-140907) With this, I can confidently conclude this debate. There shouldn't be any reason why moderators across Manacube cannot restraint players from using the f word in a derogatory style. This word should be allowed to be used by everyone across the platform as long as they are following Manacubes guidelines. If you are a staff member reading this right now, I request that you respond to this message thoroughly as I would very much appreciate an answer! Thank you for your time.