[Lava World]

To all whom visit this topic:

Hey guys. This isn't so much an admin complaint (actually not at all) as it is what is in my opinion a reasonable skepticism towards why a certain word is considered inappropriate (didn't know where else to post, if this is the wrong place, my b).

The word in question is: nipples. (Bait title )

An acquaintance of mine (Jersey Mike) logged on and I gave him the following greeting: "hey nipples." I gave him the nickname nipples due to some inane chat we had a few days ago.

I was told by Mandalorian and Frog to avoid using the word nipples. Usually, I am fully willing to be honest about how what I say or do is considered a breaking of the rules. But in this case, I genuinely cannot understand why the word 'nipples' is considered inappropriate to the extent of it warranting a silence if a player continues to use it in non-sexual context. Yeah I know what the veteran admins are probably thinking, oh there goes U criticizing a server rule again. Yeah, you're right in feeling that way. But never have I posted on the forums about the rules you have because they do have logic and reason to them. In this case, I decided to post because I really can't wrap my head around it.

Mandalorian and Frog gave the following reasons as to why 'nipple(s)' is correctly classified as inappropriate language. If I can remember those reasons correctly, they are as follows:
1. The word 'nipple' might be considered bothersome or offensive by someone.
2. The word 'nipple' can be used in a sexual context.


My disagreement with reason #1:
Is the server rule to avoid inappropriate language, or is the server rule to avoid any topic/word that has the potential to bother an individual? Virtually any word in existence can POTENTIALLY bother an individual. If a player hypothetically complains about another player talking about sheep on a farm, is the admin justified in silencing the player should they again mention sheep on a farm? Additionally, this is my subjective opinion, but I highly, highly doubt the word 'nipple' is a bother or offense to literally any player on the server. Kids from birth see nipples (legally) if taken to a non-nudist beach. If someone vocally protests about the word 'nipple', there is a 99% probability they are trolling, or just probably shouldn't be on the internet in the first place.

My disagreement with reason #2:
Genitalia/breasts are the only human anatomy with significant relation to sexuality activity. People are told to cover these up in society, and face charges if they run around in public with them exposed. Nipples are as much a sexual reference as thighs. Yes, nipples are located on breasts. They are also located on male pectorals. Thighs are sufficiently close to genitalia do be perceived sexually, would it be considered inappropriate to say the word thighs? Additionally, the context in which this word was used ("hey nipples") was not sexual at all. Now, if a player said something like "lemme suck on dem nipples" it would be a totally different case and the inappropriate rule is completely justified.


God I have too much free time. Anyway, I really don't think "nipple/nipples", used in a non-sexual context, should be seen as inappropriate enough for admins to shut down the usage of that word for the reasons which I've stated. The logic behind censoring "nipple" can apply to a whole range of vocabulary that is seen as completely innocent.

Free the nipple.

Thanks all.

U, King of Lava World

[Mandalorian]

Way I see it, if it's viewed as inappropriate, and are asked to stop, then stop. This isn't that hard of a concept to understand.

[Lava World]

Thanks for your input Mandalorian.

I don't really think this is the discussion I intended on this post. I'm exploring if nipples are correctly classified as inappropriate if used in a 100% non-sexual context. I think rules should be followed to the T if they have logic and reason. But just declaring it ''inappropriate'' and asking me to stop makes little sense.

Please, explain your reasoning as to why it's inappropriate. That's the discussion I'm looking for. Otherwise we embark on a slippery slope where this, that, and a whole ton of other things can be censored "just cuz". And unjustified censoring is really dangerous for player activity IMO.

Thanks!

[Rogue]

Thank you for reply. I will gives all of the answers why we considered the context of the word that is clearly show that is inappropriate remarks. The word what you mentioned up there is obviously a sexual language which can be considered as inappropriate remarks after all. We want to keep the conversations, or however you use that term on the server to be cleans and more appropriate, without any insulting, flaming, or however they used terms to offends or become more inappropriate. This is why we have to warns for whoever using that terms as the contexts show that is not appropriates.

Frog and Mandalorain have a right to warns them because they know the context that the terms they used are falling under the category to the gray area. That means they are far ahead of flaming and swearing, however they interpreted that as. It is therefore not allowed to be said and that is considered inappropriate remarks after all. I hope that answers to your questions.

[Lava World]

Hey Rogue! Thanks for your swift reply.

If I'm correctly understanding, you're stating that nipples are inappropriate because they could be linked to sexual language.

Like I stated in my disagreement, "thighs" could just as easily be linked to sexual language, however it really isn't taken to that conclusion unless used in a sexual context. I believe the same goes for "nipples".

If you still disagree with me, doesn't this imply that ANY WORD that could be misinterpreted in a sexual context can be placed in the "gray area" and its usage be punished for? I'd venture to say that "hands" are more often related to sexual activity than "nipples", but you don't censor the usage of the word "hands".

[Rogue]

Hey Rogue! Thanks for your swift reply.

If I'm currently understanding, you're stating that nipples are inappropriately because they could be linked to sexual language.

Like I stated in my disagreement, "thighs" could just as easily be linked to sexual language, however it really isn't taken to that conclusion unless used in a sexual context. I believe the same goes for "nipples".

If you still disagree with me, doesn't this imply that ANY WORD that could be misinterpreted in a sexual context can be placed in the "gray area" and its usage be punished for? I'd venture to say that "hands" are more often related to sexual activity than "nipples", but you don't censor the usage of the word "hands".

It's depend on the contexts on how they says, If we know the contexts they are saying that are far to the category of the gray area. Then that showed they are far to sexual languages they are using.

[Lava World]

The way I used them was: "hey nipples".

Does a completely non-sexually related comment place it in the gray area, in your opinion?

[Frog]

Nope.
Thighs could not be as easily mistaken or intruprated as '' Nipples '' are. If I warned you against talking about thighs, that's when everyone should be worried, including me.
However, talking about those thingies can easily be rooted into sexuality, or inappropiate remarks. I saw it as a incoming problem, something that could grow into rule breaking. Now, I really didn't expect to use Admin powers and thank goodness I didn't have to, but if it grew and grew and started going on about different byproducts, it would be disastrous!

It would be better just to not talk about it. True, it's not directly referencing sexuality, but others may not think so. Some might talk about it, you might talk about it, and it would grow into something inappropriate, of which I'm sure you can connect the dots on without my help! O_O

It's entirely possible that it would NOT grow into that, but better to be safe than sorry.

Forgot to mention, welcome to the forums!

[Rogue]

The way I used them was: "hey nipples".

Does a completely non-sexually related comment place it in the gray area, in your opinion?

That statement is considered a gray area therefore since it is a sexual language, it also can be considered inappropriate statements as well.

[Lava World]

Frog, I see your reasoning. I admit it could potentially grow into more sexually related comments, and it's better to be safe than sorry, especially when preserving the most outstanding quality of the server: its catering to families.

Thanks! You can lock the topic if no one else wills to discuss it.

[Frog]

Best Admin Complaint ever! Ended in hapiness :>

[jawfin]

I will post, for no more reason than a high level admin does!

For me, I rely on the feedback of players on the server, including KR members. (On a lesser scale I also apply this to people speaking in another language.)

The game, is um, well, a game. Its not in place to chat, in that, that's not its principle purpose. As a game its principle purpose is to provide fun. If any person on server has there fun limited in any way, and by chat that's going to be by making them feel uncomfortable, then an admin can act. Much like guards at a bank act to protect the money.

As I stated, I wait until I sense the feel from other players - unless of course the chat is gross. Froggy and Manda evidently felt uncomfortable the way the conversation could go, in that: "hey nipple", "yo sphincter" etc! Another thing I have noted is the emotional aspect on server is never same as when it gets repeated on the forums! For instance, we don't know if those admins had just finished dealing with an abusive player and were robbed of their comfort zone.

I will also do a small plug for my "Freedom of Speech" post which has some other clever metaphors and similes!

And yup, you got too much time on your hands, hehe!

[Yama]

Big ups tho on constructing your argument in such a non offensive and well thought out manner KIng.

[Uscari]

Best Admin Complaint ever! Ended in hapiness :>

Indeed, a civil disscussion which left all parties relatively satisfied. I'd like to see more topics here run this way.

[Cult]

You should work for Buzzfeed based on that clickbait, U.