Date: Sat, 5 Sep 2009 00:19:29 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: MOD please read re today
In-Reply-To: <4aa1de39.24035a0a.61da.ffffa7f7@mx.google.com>
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This word being discussed has application in the general language in
many places, but like most four letter verbs and adjectives leaves us
playing on a low intellectual plane. I consider it and many other four
letter words that have come to be commonly accepted on the street - to
be just that - "common" - as in low vulgarism, which has a tendency to
negatively mark one's social level as well as intellect, social
standing, education and vocabulary. I would much rather the mark of my
passing be one of a higher intellectual plane that one of being in the
gutter. It is a matter of choosing how one would prefer to express
oneself - and one's capability in expressing oneself.
I recently had an encounter with a a man in his early forties whose
language was comprised of nearly all four letter expletives. If he
didn't use those in his speech, I doubt he could talk at all. I'm an old
sailor - and there is not much I have not heard - but this was really
sad to me. It is by ones words that people know you. Definitely
something to think about. Speaks volumes about class.
As for word monitoring on this list - it is the moderators perogative.
Word banning makes me squeamish - freedom of speech and all that - but I
can yield to the point in the spirit of co-operation - and hope the
moderators will reciprocate and not get to zealous.
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
David Beierl wrote:
> Dear Volks,
>
> This has been an interesting and useful day or two, and I'm very
> pleased to have been part of it myself in various ways. But after
> the "damn" comments die down let's all try to take it easy for a few
> days. You all have a pretty good idea by now of where we are drawing
> the edges of the language issue. That's why this has been happening
> publicly, mostly. This will happen from time to time, no doubt, and
> I have some thoughts I want to talk over with Ben about public
> moderation generally.
>
> Anyone who'd like to see a more comprehensive definition-by-example
> of where we stand, please let me know. I'll send you something we
> compiled for Janne, a new member who's not a native English speaker,
> to help make things clearer for him. If many people want it we'll
> put it on the list. Personally I think it's both interesting and
> illuminating, but then I mostly wrote it. No doubt it or something
> like it will be part of an FAQ at some point, but at the moment we're
> developing or redeveloping things, not codifying them.
>
> Thank you all very much, it's been a fine day here and I hope for you
> as well.
>
> Yours,
> David
>
>
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