This has fallen down the Soapbox List, so in order to keep it permanently on the site, I'm gonna keep bumping this thread to the top so people can see it.
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If you violate these rules, you won't be reported or anything like that. You'll be politely informed of your infraction and you will be requested to correct it. If you cannot correct it, then apologize. If you continue to cause ill-will, you will be collectively ignored by the debate spot community.
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EDIT: As of February 2008, all content should be contextualized as explained by the pick and harold's comments on said pick to be found
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Being called a FREAK is a compliment.
Free Rational Ethical Awesome K....
Okay, I can't think of a "k"
kan you? ;)
*Bump*
explianed this to me.
curse words were the words of the "lower class". when the classes changed(im not saying there are no more classes) those words became bad by decleration of the upperclass. so by not allowing cursing u are being classist so. fuck shit danm hell
u r right they are not used in context anymore they are totaly meaningless
fuck is an ajictive a verd a noun an adverb a pronoun and prety much every other part of speach. im not saying we should curse at eachother(although thats cool to freedom of speech hell yea!!) but fuck and words like it dont impeed on ur abilty to live be free or be happy
As you can probably tell by looking around, people, including me, have used swearing in a lot of arguments. And when they have been used thus far, they have not been reprimanded (in general) by me or anyone else. Why is that?
The Doc brought up that swearing can emphasize a point, and so far, that's how they have been used. However, they can also be used to immaturely sling dirt at an opponent you are frustrated with. When that has happened (whether swears were used or not), the person HAS been told to calm down and the person targeted in general knew enough not to respond to such remarks.
Secondly, there are some people who are offended by cursing! Just because I'm not, or debs probably isn't, doesn't mean those folks don't exist. I have friends who I watch my mouth around. They aren't elitist, they just feel there are better ways of expressing yourself, and expanding your vocabulary.
Thirdly, I want this to be a comfortable, welcoming spot for everyone of all ideas, faiths, political views and opinions. Some people are intimidated by swear words, or there are some younger kids (who may or may not swear themselves) whose parents might not like the idea that they're reading about people needlessly throwing swears around.
In addition to all those things, even though this is an informal debate spot, needless swearing (which I may or may not use in every day life) tends to cheapen a conversation. If they are used at the right time, they can be very effective. However, it's been my experience that those who use a swear every other word are only trying to disguise the fact that they have no real argument.
Also, it's just common courtesy.
plus if you were in a official debate competition and you used swearing you would probably get points deducted or may even be disqualified
Look, I'm all for political incorrectness, trust me. But mostly, it's because I want to keep an air of formality. Intelligent people can swear appropriately (the doctor is a great example) and that is fine. Needless swearing, just to show people that you can, is pointless. The thing is, a good debater swears to emphasize a point, but they can easily make that point without swears. A bad debater uses swears to disguise their lack of argument. It comes off as not thought-out or, in some cases if it's just a rebuttal, as thickheaded or stubborn.