![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 21 to 45 of 47. Go back in thread:
Posted by sigismund on January 31, 2011, at 16:46:51
In reply to Re: blocked for 5 weeks, posted by ed_uk2010 on January 31, 2011, at 15:59:51
I don't even understand this asterisking thing.
You can turn it off?
Not that I want to, not that I care, it's such a load of
Posted by jane d on January 31, 2011, at 18:22:57
In reply to Re: blocked for 5 weeks » ed_uk2010, posted by sigismund on January 31, 2011, at 16:46:51
> I don't even understand this asterisking thing.
>
> You can turn it off?Yes. Or maybe you can fail to turn it on. I'm not sure whether it's opt in or out out and I don't feel like checking. I wonder if there really is anything you can say that the auto asterisking would censor but which would not be uncivil. If there isn't then the option really is pointless.
>
> Not that I want to, not that I care, it's such a load of
Posted by 10derheart on January 31, 2011, at 21:35:49
In reply to Asterisks » sigismund, posted by jane d on January 31, 2011, at 18:22:57
I know one for sure: "My daughter is a cheerleader and uses p*m p*ms when she cheers." It's a cultural thing we Americans often haven't heard about....some of our UK or Aussie Babblers can explain far better than I can, I'm sure...although I do remember the historical roots. Learn something all the time here ;-) Every time I see that pomegranate juice brand 'P*M" in stores, it makes me smile because of Babble.
I *think* it may have been gg who ran afoul of the nasty ole p*ms...but I could be wrong.
It is automatically on unless you affirmatively turn it off. If folks would just leave it on.....but hey, freedom is what it is and comes with its consequences, good, bad and indifferent. Indiffernt may well be the word of the day when it comes to all this, although Dr. Bob was not indifferent, apparently.
So, although I pretty much agree with your post above on the issue, I also recognize over the years Dr. Bob often comes down on the side of as much freedom of choice as possible. Maybe that's why he leaves it as a choice, since a segment of posters has/have/will always complain[ed] about too much restricted speech.
I always thought maybe it was just a device (used by many sites, not just here...although most I've seen won't allow the words *at all* asterisked or not, and either remove the words entirely or the posts entirely) to get a poster to stop and think if s/he wants to use that language or not...{shrug}
PS - No English, Australian, or any other peoples were meant to be disparaged in the making of this post, specifically by any uses of the expression "p*m." okay? OK.
Posted by 10derheart on January 31, 2011, at 21:44:07
In reply to thank you :) and ? » 10derheart, posted by floatingbridge on January 30, 2011, at 19:57:28
I don't think it does, although Dr. Bob seems to have always encouraged and appreciated apologies.
When I was a deputy, I saw a PBC as exactly what its acronym describes: a request to Please Be Civil with a link pointing to the rules in the FAQs so posters could learn what I/we meant by that here. Nothing more or less - and an apology was just gravy and often quite humble, classy and lovely, IMO. Particularly when the poster did not agree with the rules but wanted to promote peace and harmony...
Many people seemed to just naturally do it, especially when they 1) didn't understand/know about the civility policy, and/or 2) they hadn't ever considered that the thing they wrote could or might lead someone to feel accused or put down.
Does any of that make sense, fb? I am not all that coherent these days....
Posted by sigismund on January 31, 2011, at 22:35:21
In reply to ooo..ooo....I remember one! » jane d, posted by 10derheart on January 31, 2011, at 21:35:49
>My daughter is a cheerleader and uses p*m p*ms when she cheers
This is to save the feelings of the English? Wow.
The kinds of profanities I grew up with, meaning the creative juxtaposition of unusual elements suitable for yelling at sheepdogs.......it makes me laugh to imagine how they would sound to American ears.
Posted by morgan miller on January 31, 2011, at 23:10:14
In reply to Re: blocked for 5 weeks, posted by ed_uk2010 on January 31, 2011, at 15:59:51
> > > As for the asterisking.. I don't get it, really. Would it have been fine had I written "sh*t"?
> >
> > Yes.
> >
>
> Not sure why? Everyone knows what it means.
>
> It's very American, like when you show the breast but blank out the nipple.
>It's a Puritan thing. I'm not sure people from other countries realize that the majority of America no longer follows many of the more rigid Puritan values and ways that were set in place 3 hundred years ago.
Posted by jane d on February 1, 2011, at 0:07:39
In reply to ooo..ooo....I remember one! » jane d, posted by 10derheart on January 31, 2011, at 21:35:49
> I know one for sure: "My daughter is a cheerleader and uses p*m p*ms when she cheers." It's a cultural thing we Americans often haven't heard about....some of our UK or Aussie Babblers can explain far better than I can, I'm sure...although I do remember the historical roots. Learn something all the time here ;-) Every time I see that pomegranate juice brand 'P*M" in stores, it makes me smile because of Babble.
Who knew. I will never look at cheerleaders the same way. P*m p*ms huh? Frankly I can't see how asterisks don't make it worse.Pompoms seems to pass muster however.
Posted by sigismund on February 1, 2011, at 0:15:36
In reply to Re: ooo..ooo....I remember one! » 10derheart, posted by jane d on February 1, 2011, at 0:07:39
The reason for the pompom thing must be the particular racial situation in the US, just like civility is the substitute for gun control. Visitors from the US have been appalled by Australian naivety on the public speech angle of race relations. I was never impressed by these reservations...it seemed there was no end of shame to go around.
It's not true though that Americans do not know how to swear. That (and the language generally) was the attraction of Deadwood.
Posted by morgan miller on February 1, 2011, at 0:24:54
In reply to Re: ooo..ooo....I remember one!, posted by sigismund on January 31, 2011, at 22:35:21
>The kinds of profanities I grew up with, meaning the creative juxtaposition of unusual elements suitable for yelling at sheepdogs.......it makes me laugh to imagine how they would sound to American ears.
You may have a false view of what much of America is really like. Yes, I am sure there is less use of profanity in the homes of America compared to other certain countries in Europe and also Australia. But honestly, the constant use of profanity is often a sign of anger, instability, and a lack of respect. So where there is a lot of cursing, there are typically bad elements that that you would not want children to be exposed to. I'm not articulating my point well. What I'm trying to say is that a household full of cursing is also likely a place that is lacking in the proper love and nurture that children need in order to develop healthy minds.
Posted by sigismund on February 1, 2011, at 0:47:57
In reply to Re: ooo..ooo....I remember one!, posted by morgan miller on February 1, 2011, at 0:24:54
Cursing is an interesting word, don't you think?
That's the puritan influence. I know what the word means, but it's not one I hear much.
In my experience (as a child) the politest most well bred people were the cruelest, pretty much.
I was much more comfortable with the people who swore like troopers.
Posted by jane d on February 1, 2011, at 2:21:19
In reply to Re: ooo..ooo....I remember one!, posted by sigismund on January 31, 2011, at 22:35:21
> The kinds of profanities I grew up with, meaning the creative juxtaposition of unusual elements suitable for yelling at sheepdogs.......it makes me laugh to imagine how they would sound to American ears.
This is such a tantalizing image. I wish there were some way of getting a demonstration.
I've realized that my own vocabulary is very boring.
Posted by sigismund on February 1, 2011, at 2:31:52
In reply to Re: ooo..ooo....I remember one!, posted by jane d on February 1, 2011, at 2:21:19
>I wish there were some way of getting a demonstration.
This was in the late 1950s and early 60s before all that feminist nonsense :)
Suffice it to say that sh*t was not part of it.
Anyway, the idea was to swear for as long as possible without repeating yourself.
I was a kid and just listened really.
Posted by jane d on February 1, 2011, at 3:08:31
In reply to ooo..ooo....I remember one! » jane d, posted by 10derheart on January 31, 2011, at 21:35:49
> So, although I pretty much agree with your post above on the issue, I also recognize over the years Dr. Bob often comes down on the side of as much freedom of choice as possible. Maybe that's why he leaves it as a choice, since a segment of posters has/have/will always complain[ed] about too much restricted speech.
Sorry. I meant to reply to this part of your post but got sidetracked by the cheerleader accoutrements.I'm a fan of free speech too though I won't go to the mat to defend any particular words. And there are even a few words I find fairly offensive myself. But this seems to me to be an unnecessary minefield. Some of the prohibited words are not going to be obvious to everyone. I wouldn't have thought there was a problem with this one and I'm pretty good at editing my written words (if not what I say aloud). So, as it stands, we have a system where people risk getting blocked for accidental use of possibly offensive words (which will then get edited anyway) so that other people can have the freedom to say p*m p*ms without having asterisks inserted. What kind of choice is that?
>
> I always thought maybe it was just a device (used by many sites, not just here...although most I've seen won't allow the words *at all* asterisked or not, and either remove the words entirely or the posts entirely) to get a poster to stop and think if s/he wants to use that language or not...{shrug}The most disconcerting use of this I've seen is in some chat software - where it edits your words immediately. When it happened to me my first reaction was to look at where my hands were on the keyboard. Several times. Strangely enough I've seen this associated with a forum which doesn't edit words at all on the forum.
Maybe the posts here should be blocked at the time of posting. That seems fairer than letting someone use a word that will automatically get them warned or blocked. And anyone who's really just trying to say pompoms can surely figure out a way to get it past the software anyway.
Posted by Toph on February 1, 2011, at 12:47:47
In reply to Re: please be civil » europerep, posted by Dr. Bob on January 30, 2011, at 19:55:40
And language restrictions have apparently evolved on Babble. Just Google @ss spelled correctly at the bottom of the page to see how frequently that puportedly vulgar word has been used with impunity here.
Posted by sigismund on February 1, 2011, at 14:10:16
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by Toph on February 1, 2011, at 12:47:47
I have always felt that is the correct way to spell it too.
Posted by sigismund on February 1, 2011, at 14:14:21
In reply to Re: please be civil » Toph, posted by sigismund on February 1, 2011, at 14:10:16
Otherwise the Bible would be a bit of a mess with people packing up their camels and *ss*s.
Posted by floatingbridge on February 1, 2011, at 15:35:32
In reply to Re: thank you :) and ? » floatingbridge, posted by 10derheart on January 31, 2011, at 21:44:07
Hi 10erheart,
Yes, your post made sense :) I'm sorry you're having a rough time, though....
Then, though, if the apology is suggested, did europrep get blocked?
So the old days were different?
I'm still unsure, but heck, I'm a wreck.
Thanks 10erheart. Be well.
Posted by floatingbridge on February 1, 2011, at 15:37:58
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by sigismund on February 1, 2011, at 14:14:21
Sigi, you did it again. You made me smile and almost lol--no mean feat.
:o)
Posted by floatingbridge on February 1, 2011, at 15:41:02
In reply to Re: please be civil » Dr. Bob, posted by SLS on January 31, 2011, at 13:46:53
Moratorium? I don't read admin often.
Scott or anyone? Did we have an amnesty day?
Posted by morgan miller on February 1, 2011, at 15:44:19
In reply to Re: ooo..ooo....I remember one!, posted by sigismund on February 1, 2011, at 0:47:57
>In my experience (as a child) the politest most well bred people were the cruelest, pretty much.
I was much more comfortable with the people who swore like troopers.
This can definitely be the case, I was thinking the same thing. Still, using curse or swear words, can be a sign of expression of inner anger that has not been addressed and is not being channeled properly. I do agree that I would prefer to be around someone that was cursing a lot and expressing their anger than someone with suppressed anger and other issues that was very critical and mean.
Posted by 10derheart on February 1, 2011, at 15:59:44
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by Toph on February 1, 2011, at 12:47:47
Always great to 'see' you here, Toph....
Hmmm...I see *ss now gets the asterisk. I could have sworn Dr. Bob's program, software, filter, or whatever the correct technical term is for whatever he's chosen to control the auto-asterisking of words was set to only asterisk words that Merriam-Webster classifies as *usually* vulgar, like sh*t. At least that's what I recall him telling deputies at one time.
*ss is only **sometimes** vulgar, therefore I do think it used to be not edited, which I guess is what you saw in the archives around 2003/2004....? Kinda weird to me.
I prefer donkey, as then I get to use it on my 4-year-old granddaughter (without her copying/learning '*ss' and using it Lord-knows-when/where...) who is generally a sweet angel but occasionally, very deliberately acts as stubborn as a mule, *ss, or donkey, etc., ("I will NOT put my socks and shoes on. I don't care if it's winter outside. My feet are the strongest feet ever and *I* can go barefoot outside, gramma!!") At that point I might inquire of her if she has changed from a plain old knucklehead into a silly donkey...;-).....which makes her start giggling and then she forgets what she was refusing to do....;-) !
Of course, in a spirited discussion with an adult where you wish to emphatically point out that the other person is behaving similarly to a stubborn, difficult animal, saying, "Oh, stop acting like a DONKEY!" just does NOT have the same impact.
But I digress. As usual.
Posted by SLS on February 1, 2011, at 23:19:07
In reply to Re: please be civil » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on February 1, 2011, at 15:41:02
> Moratorium? I don't read admin often.
>
> Scott or anyone? Did we have an amnesty day?No. I just suggested that people not post on the Administration board for two weeks in order to see how it would affect the community, and how the community would affect itself.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20110117/msgs/977277.html
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on February 2, 2011, at 1:49:54
In reply to Moratorium » floatingbridge, posted by SLS on February 1, 2011, at 23:19:07
I agree. Thanks for suggesting this. I'll stick to the other boards.
> No. I just suggested that people not post on the Administration board for two weeks in order to see how it would affect the community, and how the community would affect itself.
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20110117/msgs/977277.html
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
Posted by SLS on February 2, 2011, at 6:32:51
In reply to Re: Moratorium » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on February 2, 2011, at 1:49:54
I find it quite predictable that upon Dr. Bob's return, we now return to posting blocks and intermiable threads regarding those blocks and the practice of this website's proprietary definition of civility.
Goodbye.
- Scott
Posted by ERagain on February 2, 2011, at 8:39:56
In reply to Re: blocked for 5 weeks » europerep, posted by Dr. Bob on January 30, 2011, at 20:12:36
With all due respect - and maybe it's because it concerns me - this is the most absurd block I have seen or received so far.
This place is (still) alive because it's a great collection of knowledge, but that alone will not keep it alive or even growing, and it looks like Dr. Bob is doing all he can to create totally unnecessary friction between members and himself, or the board administration in general. I guess every board "owner" can establish a set of rules, so he has the right to do all this, but it is just weird nonsense to me. The fact that I have received multiple bans over time - and especially the fact that the severity of an "incident" does not in itself determine block length, but *the factor* with which the previous block is multiplied - indicates to me that persons like me, who are not willing to be taught Bob's crazy sense of "manners" or "civility" are not actually welcome here. I am not a "bad" poster - anyone show me a post from me that a majority of forum users would characterize as "offensive" or "aggressive" - but if my way of posting, to which I'll stick, is somehow not acceptable here, then I guess I'll refrain from regular posting. That doesn't mean I will permanently leave and never come back, this is a great source of knowledge after all, but I will certainly not be an active member the way I am in other forums, where I generally get a very good response to both what I say and how I say it.
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Administration | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.