Profanity in movie quotes

[Evil Tim]

I'm still not sure how this is supposed to adversely affect our reputation; the handful of f-bombs on this wiki have in some cases been here for years without causing the End of All Things at any point along the line. I don't think we should change a policy that worked (quoting accurately) because of a puritanical vandal whose other edits are about 80% garbage and who doesn't know the difference between a clip and a magazine.

[Gunmaster45]

Originally Posted by Evil Tim

I'm still not sure how this is supposed to adversely affect our reputation; the handful of f-bombs on this wiki have in some cases been here for years without causing the End of All Things at any point along the line. I don't think we should change a policy that worked (quoting accurately) because of a puritanical vandal whose other edits are about 80% garbage and who doesn't know the difference between a clip and a magazine.

I think the issue is that, because people in the industry have likely heard word of this site or been recommended it, it's a negative thing for them to come across this site and see it's filled with language. It could be viewed as unprofessional, and hurt our reputation and the reputation of those who recommended the site.

Do I agree with the censorship? No. But I understand the concept that even if I don't believe in censorship, I won't keep a job at a respectable business very long if I tell my boss my favorite version of "The Aristocrats" joke. Not everyone has the same outlook on things. Some people see curse words as words, some see them as super offensive and immature forms of expression. Sometimes, you have to bite the bullet to make some sort of compromise.

As MPM said, this site is not our personal playground, and if a majority see it fit to censor profanity to maintain our positive image and professionalism, we should act accordingly and solve the issue.

[Evil Tim]

Yes, but the manner in which it's been bought up still bothers me: no matter how you put it, it feels like we're letting an extremely immature and borderline-useless user get his way if we go along with this.

[MoviePropMaster2008]

Originally Posted by Evil Tim

Yes, but the manner in which it's been bought up still bothers me: no matter how you put it, it feels like we're letting an extremely immature and borderline-useless user get his way if we go along with this.

Okay, I think we should codify a standard that fits the general (not the exceptions) for American Broadcast television. That should make everyone happy (help me out with suggestions folks). The problem is that we suddenly have a new member who (i think) has good intentions but is rubbing other members the wrong way with censoring foul language all over the place. Unfortunately, some of this language is acceptable (if it is acceptable during PRIME TIME on network AMERICAN TV, we should accept it here).

I know on paper this looks weird, but bear with me:

Censored words:
Fuck
Shit (used 'once' on NCIS and never again)
Cunt
Blowjob (though technically NOT a profanity but an explicit noun for a sexual act, better safe than sorry).
Asshole (used on cable but not free broadcast)


Words that are not censored on Broadcast TV anymore:
Bitch
Son of a Bitch (or any spelling variant)
Bastard
Anal
Goddam (Used to be taboo in the 1970s, you could say 'Damn" but now I hear it all the time on TV, again, profane but from a purely religious perspective)
Faggot (usually any epithet creates uproar NOT because it is profane but because it offends a specific group)
Nigger (unfortunately most epithets are accurate descriptors of people's prejudices from various points in history, including today. This was a common term in the 19th century and was used by Mark Twain, so it stays).
Any racial epithet (Again, these are not considered profane, just offensive)

more suggestions?.....

[Spartan198]

I've heard "shit" uncensored on broadcast TV, but only on FX and one episode of South Park on Comedy Central. "Ass" by itself is also frequently uncensored on broadcast TV (The Simpsons, Family Guy, etc.).

[funkychinaman]

I think "asshole" is okay now too. I remember hearing it on NYPD Blue when it was still on.

[Yournamehere]

First of all, "shit" has been used a lot on network television in the last few years and is more or less acceptable nowadays given the usage. I cite several South Park episodes, Several Comedy Central stand up programs, Nip Tuck, NCIS as you've said and I few others I can't remember. Furthermore, Comedy Central further pushes the envelope by using "fuck" during their later night programming (usually after 1 AM or so), as well as other otherwise censored words or phrases.

I bring this up for two reasons, one because the swearing standard is slowly coming down around us (yes you said Prime Time, but TV is TV all day more or less with regard to censorship), and two because based on that, TV allows us to say the words being disputed which are pretty much "shit", "fuck" and "asshole" at this point.

Furthermore this is a site based on movies, so why not just go by movie rating standards instead? If your answer is "because we just can't allow "shit", "fuck" and "asshole" on the site and retain professional nature" I must retort and say that is false. I don't think members should curse profusely, perhaps at all, on the site, but you aren't acknowledging my argument that what we're attempting to censor are quotes that are not ours and don't reflect us. And to dig up an argument already used, IMDB doesn't censor their quotes (granted they aren't on the front page) and they're a pretty credible site. We aren't them nor do we have their visitorbase, but that doesn't mean we have to water down because a few high profile people might frown upon us because of some idea that small sites must adhere to more strict standards of censoring content, not the people on here, they should hold their tongues, I agree with that, but the content we allow on the site like the quotes. Don't forget, again, despite this place not being our playground, that this is on a playground sort of medium, the internet, and that there are expectations of this medium as well, as in there being more leniency of content on here.

I just feel like there's a policy hole in posting censored quotes. If we're a database for people to look for movie guns, the quotes are unnecessary and they should be gone, period. If not, then we are a site about movies as well as guns and therefore we should take on more of a lax approach, especially given this is the internet and a site we are compared to does the same. Just as well, even if swearing is on the site and someone high profile does view the site, do you honestly think they will discount the entire site because of some visible profanity in a quote?

[Evil Tim]

Originally Posted by MoviePropMaster2008

The problem is that we suddenly have a new member who (i think) has good intentions but is rubbing other members the wrong way with censoring foul language all over the place.

I wouldn't be so sure he has good intentions: most of his non-censoring edits are wrong (the SAS use M4s, or rather Candian-made C8s, and more to the point use M16s; moreover, the UK has adopted a version of the Lewis Machine & Tool .308 MWS as the L129A1), stupid or just plain bizarre. Despite that a good 80% of his edits have been reverted, he never tries to talk to anyone and never gives edit reasons. I really think he's either twelve years old or just trolling us.