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Bad Words and Censorship Thoughts from Steve


Steve Krenz

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Hey all,

We've had some people ask about our "bad-word filter" and why do we need it.  What about free speech? Are we censoring people?

The short answer: Yes. 

Rule #1: This board exists to help people learn guitar with information and encouragement.

Here's my thoughts on this...

FOUL LANGUAGE

I used to cuss like a sailor. (My parents would be mortified to know that in middle school and high school, I had very foul language. But I could turn it on and off depending on the situation.) But I vividly remember the moment in my first year of college that I had just said some expletive to some friend of mine in the course of normal daily conversation. The thought crossed my mind. "What's wrong with you? Can't you even express yourself without using bad language?" And from that moment on I stopped - without fanfare or effort. It was like a switch that was turned off in my vocabulary. And, in all but the rarest of circumstances, I've never casually cussed since then.

Having said all that, I feel this discussion board should be free of rampant foul language. I've found that other discussion boards are just littered with foul language which turns me off and I'm glad ours tends to not go that direction.

Rampant foul language turns people off - especially new comers.  We're here to help people.

There are plenty of other guitar boards around filled with people ranting about this or that, putting down other people with every imaginable word. That's not us. 

(Please refer to Rule #1 above)

So, yes, we do have a bad word filter - just like we had on the previous boards. I installed it myself and it was quite an interesting read.

CENSORSHIP

I am infinitely more concerned that the person who is struggling in learning how to play guitar can come here and find encouragement and support from the people here, rather than finding a few people cluttering the boards with rants about this or that.

I'm not in the free speech business. I'm in the helping guitar player's learn business.

This is not a "free speech" haven. It's a guitar forum.

I don't mind getting off topic. Some of my best interactions on the forum have been on off-topic threads. Just don't get divisive, and mean to people.

Heated debates, I have no problem with. But, if it is nothing but people arguing back and forth, particularly on an issue that has nothing to do with music, and folks are getting mad then I am going to step in.

If you have a problem with how the board is run, then talk to the guy whose life work is poured into this community and who pays all of the bills and takes all the good and bad for this whole party.   I know him pretty well and he will vehemently protect what the purpose of this forum is for  - this place exists to help people. (Please refer to Rule #1 above)

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I have always seen this place as the proverbial water cooler at the gym - a place where folks, all united in a common love for music and guitar, can come, talk about struggles in learning, get encouragement from each other and support to get back into the gym of learning. Along the way, we may talk about other topics, and get wonderfully intertwined a bit in each others lives from the quirky to the amazingly profound.

My goal is to help people as they are learning. If yours is too, then I welcome you and need you. If you're not interested in helping people, and see nothing here but a place to vent your frustrations with life, then move on. I wish you well.

- Steve

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Thanks Steve , I hope to see  younger learners here. This is not the place foil language ,Thanks again.

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Thank you for your thoughts, Steve. It's rare to find encouraging places to learn...places where people are there to help when you struggle. That's one of the things that has always set this forum apart from so many others. 

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I support your position 100% Steve. Thank you for taking this stand. I abhor foul language, and will not participate in any activity or associate with those who employ it. In my opinion, it is a character flaw.

One of many reasons I am very pleased and privileged to be a part of the Guitar Gathering family, is the high caliber of the members who repeatedly demonstrate a kind, compassionate, positive and supportive attitude. You've set a great example, that all that know you admire and appreciate.  A sincere Thank you.

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Thank you Steve! 

The atmosphere in our forum has always set us apart from others, and has fostered a friendly learning environment! :) 

And we do have some younger learners here too!  

 

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Call me a prude if you want, I don't think there is a need for that kind of language here.

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Thank you for this approach, Steve.

We all need a safe learning environment to share our thoughts and doubts and obstacles but most of all the joy that we have in the learning.

 

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As a Canadian that moved to Texas, I learned that Americans are much more affected and repulsed by swearing than Canadians or Brits that I knew at home. You just learn to  adapt.

I am just thankful for the refuge from Fake news and politics!!!

Edited by Grog
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Good call :)

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I agree wholeheartedly with Steves vision for this new forum. Ive always loved the way everyone on here supports each other! Lets keep it that way! 

 

 

 

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Seems right to me.

 

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I agree with everything you stated Steve.  I've seen forums that were not friendly at all.  This is a great place to get and give friendly advice.  

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I fully concur with your policy, Steve. Actually, I have a little suggestion I’ll put in the Discussion Board Beta Observation/Suggestions thread. 

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Thank you Steve, censorship of this kind is needed because of the odd few !

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as the Live Lessons moderator (or at least one of them) I hope I haven't missed any 'bad words' in the live chat.

I'm typically flipping screens from Gruhn's inventory to Googling answers to questions.. so sometimes the chat fly's by on me.

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This is why I love Steve's forum.  We want to  have fun learning. It's respect in the  process.  

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I agree Steve, I hope that this remains a civil and friendly and helpful place. Some forums on the internet are so unpleasant, it's nice to be able to kick back with this community and feel at home and welcome. 

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I agree with you 100% Steve and Group. I also enjoy a Civil Place to come Visit and Share Useful Information and I certainly dislike Politics. I agree when you say This Place is a Place to Come and Learn, and that is Exactly what it is. I believe we have a Wonderful Group of people here and serious about learning to play Guitar. This Group has been Very Helpful along my short Journey and I hope to be able to become as useful as some of those who are further along in the Course and pass along some of the knowledge I have obtained. Thanks again to Steve and the Folks who Help Support this Forum to keep it Civil.

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We have youngsters online and have to set good examples in both language and content. Steve is being overly generous in explaining why foul language is forbidden, and I've seen enough postings to know we're all ladies and gentlemen. I am a sailor and there are times to talk like one and times not to. This venue is one of the not-tos. Lotsa luck.

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On 12/8/2018 at 7:33 PM, SandyB53 said:

I agree with you 100% Steve and Group. I also enjoy a Civil Place to come Visit and Share Useful Information and I certainly dislike Politics. I agree when you say This Place is a Place to Come and Learn, and that is Exactly what it is. I believe we have a Wonderful Group of people here and serious about learning to play Guitar. This Group has been Very Helpful along my short Journey and I hope to be able to become as useful as some of those who are further along in the Course and pass along some of the knowledge I have obtained. Thanks again to Steve and the Folks who Help Support this Forum to keep it Civil.

 

Sandy, great to have you back here and every bit as glad to hear your positive comments.  But I disagree in that you have already contributed many useful comments and suggestions in your "short Journey".  I know for a fact because I have seen them.  I hope you continue to do so.

Steve, Neil and I will continue to do what we can to keep it Civil for you and everyone else on here.

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7 hours ago, John Wells said:

We have youngsters online and have to set good examples in both language and content. Steve is being overly generous in explaining why foul language is forbidden, and I've seen enough postings to know we're all ladies and gentlemen. I am a sailor and there are times to talk like one and times not to. This venue is one of the not-tos. Lotsa luck.

First I would like to thank the moderators for keeping a lid on the comments here. Like John, I also worked in the marine industry where the language was less than tasteful but necessary. I had a chat with my son, while onboard one day and explained to him that there is one language for the tug and another for the shore, "Don't ever get them mixed up".

Henk

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31 minutes ago, Oldjock said:

First I would like to thank the moderators for keeping a lid on the comments here. Like John, I also worked in the marine industry where the language was less than tasteful but necessary. I had a chat with my son, while onboard one day and explained to him that there is one language for the tug and another for the shore, "Don't ever get them mixed up".

Henk

You're welcome  @Oldjock  Henk; Fortunately it's been pretty rare to have to caution or censure anyone on this site so far. Although,  @Eracer_Team-DougH and I have to keep an eye out for certain miscreants on our Live Lessons YouTube Channel (who are not necessarily members of GG) for use of unsavory language or promotion of there channels, businesses or views not in line with our Mission Statement. We can caution or delete them from the LiveChat as necessary.

Your support is most welcome and appreciated.

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Hello all,

I have to say I agree with everyone above, starting foremost with Steve!  Like Steve, I've been known to drop an F bomb here and there, but as I get older, less and less.  However, I can honestly say I've always known when salty language was not appropriate by any means!  And this forum, just the L&MG forum before it, is not the place for foul language, and/ or political talk or statements, we all here because of our unconditional love for the guitar and music !  Let's make sure it stays that way, this is our sanctuary away from all that stuff !!!!

Dan Brown ?

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Thanks Steve!  The atmosphere here sets it apart and above a number of places I no longer visit or participate at.  

I enjoy the constructive conversations and the ability to interact without the drama or the foul language here.   I have closed accounts and unfollowed a few who couldn't even moderate their FB group. 

I gladly make a commitment to doing my part to elevate the conversation to the best of my ability.   I have a lot to learn and this is a great place to continue that journey. 

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Steve- Knowing you, I would never have a problem following your rules, standards and guidelines! 

 

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