Censoring totally valid words

Ph03n1xb1rd·Apr 11, 2019·4 votes·2,624 views

Hello everyone!

I'm just wondering which words are allowed here on Boards, and which aren't, since one of my post got removed because of the usage of "nagger". The reason was: "Removed for calling others names, particularly, nagger. While this is not hate speech, do not insult others with terms that closely resemble hate speech."

So can i not write "frag" (commonly used for kills in games) because it resembles another word? Or is the "nogger" a banned word too? "Kiss" also sounds like "kys". Can we just ban all the words, because if we change some letters, then it becomes another word?

Honestly, what's the point of removing these words? Are there really people crying in the corner because they saw a word, which resembles another word? Isn't this a little bit overkill in your opinion? O.o

EDIT: I really forgot to add the context: "If he would have given a link to a match, then you would have deleted it because of naming shaming.

Why be such a nagger, do you really have to be against everybody who complains about trolls? I bet you would have instantly believed him if he would have been complaining about flaming xD"

Nagger definition from the first google result: someone who annoys people by constantly finding fault The guy/girl/it who I called a nagger was complaining about OP not giving enough details about a match, when OP is NOT ALLOWED to give more info, since then it would be naming and shaming. So he can find ALWAYS a thing to complain about, this is why I think he falls in the definition of a word what I can not write here, since it resembles something else

15 Comments

ModThe DjinnApr 11, 20199 votes

When we see common misspellings of hate speech used in contexts where there's some question about whether or not the word is intended as a proxy for another word, we err on the side of caution. I'll point out that there was no punishment associated with this removal.

So while "We were playing Counterstrike and I fragged him" would not be subject to removal, "stop being a frag" probably would. In this case there was sufficient uncertainty about your use of the word "nagger" that we opted to remove.

HethaleanApr 11, 20192 votes

[{quoted}](name=The Djinn,realm=NA,application-id=6heBIhQc,discussion-id=RPj9kwca,comment-id=0001,timestamp=2019-04-11T16:23:18.471+0000)

When we see common misspellings of hate speech used in contexts where there's some question about whether or not the word is intended as a proxy for another word, we err on the side of caution. I'll point out that there was no punishment associated with this removal.

So while "We were playing Counterstrike and I fragged him" would not be subject to removal, "stop being a frag" probably would. In this case there was sufficient uncertainty about your use of the word "nagger" that we opted to remove.

To be fair, I see the upset with the OP. Nagger is a genuine word that exists in the dictionary, and it's being removed for being too close to something else.

The line of 'close to misspelling of hate speech' seems almost made up as it is not a mispelling... especially if in the context (which is not present here) it could be clear that it is someone who is nagging.

His example of kiss shouldn't be considered a misspelling of kys... at least in my opinion. However, as the moderators of the boards, you are free to be as Orwellian as you want I guess.

EDIT: Then again it could be obvious he was just trying to get 'away with' saying a racial slur with a close word.

ModThe DjinnApr 11, 20195 votes

{quoted}To be fair, I see the upset with the OP. Nagger is a genuine word that exists in the dictionary, and it's being removed for being too close to something else.

Not in every context, no. In the case of the sentence "Why be such a nagger, do you really have to be against everybody who complains about trolls?" it becomes questionable, especially as there was no real nagging on the part of the person being quoted, and the OP has previously attempted to get around the censor in other creative ways.

His example of kiss shouldn't be considered a misspelling of kys... at least in my opinion. However, as the moderators of the boards, you are free to be as Orwellian as you want I guess.

It wouldn't be, unless you said something like "You should just go kiss." in which case we might consider removing it, as that looks a lot more like using it as a proxy for "kys".

Ph03n1xb1rdApr 11, 20191 votes

"especially as there was no real nagging on the part of the person being quoted" - Wow, your definition of nagging is totally different than mine...

Also, the nagging was not only related to that SINGLE post, but generally how he comments. OP giving totally enough information of a match (I think it was too much, since it was easily traced back, so it is kinda naming shaming...), and he told that he is probably hiding something, since he could not find the match (because of his own fault).

So he was clearly nagging. I'm a nagger too, I nag all the mods since they are unbelievably inconsistent.....

HethaleanApr 11, 20192 votes

[{quoted}](name=The Djinn,realm=NA,application-id=6heBIhQc,discussion-id=RPj9kwca,comment-id=000100000000,timestamp=2019-04-11T16:39:02.366+0000)

Not in every context, no. In the case of the sentence "Why be such a nagger, do you really have to be against everybody who complains about trolls?" it becomes questionable, especially as there was no real nagging on the part of the person being quoted, and the OP has previously attempted to get around the censor in other creative ways.

It wouldn't be, unless you said something like "You should just go kiss." in which case we might consider removing it, as that looks a lot more like using it as a proxy for "kys".

Personally, I just disagree with notions of people controlling a platform by injecting the meaning into a statement for themselves on their platform and moderating based on that notion itself under the assumption that 'hey look, they clearly meant this hate speech.' While yes, they might have wanted to say something else, but they didn't. Words also have meaning and it's a bad procedure to treat words like other words imo without it being a huge movement vs a one of instance.

It just ends up being a biased, untenable, and completely unpredictable solution that's entirely up to being abused by the moderators which then makes it boil down to the level of trust in the moderators. Especially when dealing with this situation where the poster is from EUW, and the word you're considering hate speech isn't as well known outside of the US. They know it, but the precise context and stigma in the word is not understood.

I'm 100% sure there are completely inappropriate words that NA people can 'get away with' saying because neither we nor the moderators understand the word. However, nonetheless, this board reaches EUW at the very least where they do know those contexts.

Just my two cents, but these boards are Riot Games environment and theirs to moderate. Also, the least of my worries about this particular company and game anyway. It's also a common mentality from Silicon valley and most other platforms anyway. That makes it less surprising and more expected.

Ph03n1xb1rdApr 11, 20192 votes

Added the context too, I think it fits the definition of the word, but since I'm not native English i'm not totally sure...

OleandervineApr 11, 20196 votes

{quoted}

Added the context too, I think it fits the definition of the word, but since I'm not native English i'm not totally sure...

You can't really say "not native English speaker" and then turn around and follow it with this post where you start tearing into the moderators while explaining to them what should and shouldn't qualify as nagging:

{quoted}

"especially as there was no real nagging on the part of the person being quoted" - Wow, your definition of nagging is totally different than mine...

Also, the nagging was not only related to that SINGLE post, but generally how he comments. OP giving totally enough information of a match (I think it was too much, since it was easily traced back, so it is kinda naming shaming...), and he told that he is probably hiding something, since he could not find the match (because of his own fault).

So he was clearly nagging. I'm a nagger too, I nag all the mods since they are unbelievably inconsistent.....

So one of these statements is a lie.

Ph03n1xb1rdApr 11, 20192 votes

Not being a native English speaker does not mean, that I can not understand words.

Reading the definitions of nagging on multiple sites I considered this as nagging, while i'm not a native speaker. I do not see anything problematic in this.

I can find things annoying, what other people think is not annoying, but I have all the right to call it annoying. It's not like I used this word with a totally different meaning...

But well, feel free to think what you want, thanks for sharing your opinion :D If you would like to teach me, can you explain why it was not nagging? (Considering that the guy always finds random reasons to bash people who complain about trolling.)

DJColdCutzApr 15, 20191 votes

Soft bigotry of low expectations. Racist.

DJColdCutzApr 15, 20191 votes

Unfortunately, "Orwellian" is not a slur to these people. It's their goal.

Ph03n1xb1rdApr 11, 20192 votes

Also: " I'll point out that there was no punishment associated with this removal."

But at the next removal, you will say: "You had 3 removals last month, so go, get banned." So there is clearly a punishment with this removal, it is building up a punishment. But lie as you feel :)

ModThe DjinnApr 11, 20192 votes

{quoted}So there is clearly a punishment with this removal, it is building up a punishment. But lie as you feel

If that happens (and it should not, as removals that aren't strikes against you are not things we consider), come let me know and I'll review the action personally to ensure that nothing was incorrectly handled.

Ph03n1xb1rdApr 11, 20192 votes

We've recently removed your post for violating the Golden Rule on the Boards: "Don't be a jerk: Always be respectful to players, community members, moderators, and Rioters. Harassment and insults will not be tolerated". Additionally, this comment contains mature content that is not suitable for the boards. This is also your 4th removal this month. Your removed content: WP man, you are a god! Your e-penis just grew 2 inch with this post. Sadly it's now still only 2 inch, but yea, you can feel the progress.

Do you want to post your stats against 1v5 easy bots too? Man, that would worth like 3.14 inch. It's totally worth it! As a result of your actions, we have decided to suspend your Boards account for 24 hours. At this time, we ask that you take the time to review the Boards Universal Rules and applicable sub-board guidelines. Future violations may result in further restrictions to your Boards privileges.

Sooo, previous removals do not matter. But for some reason the mod felt the need to check and mention that I had 4 removals this month, like it was something relevant. Strange.... But ye, it is probably just a coincidence, and does not matter at all ;)