Poll: Do you Unconditionally or Selectively Censor your Language in forums/online/social networks?

[Griphphin]

Anything put online in such a site is "out there" for what you can consider an eternity. Even if you delete it, someone can screencap it and you no longer have any power to remove your words from the public sphere. People with influence over your life can come across such material, and that may have ill consequences. For this reason and out of respect for those I converse with, even if I voice a less-than-popular opinion or disagree vehemently with something said, I do so in a manner that is not overtly disrespectful to others.

 

[Evil Smurf]

I only censor things like endorsing on the escapist. I also I don't call people here either. I will say twat occasionally, like now for example.

 

[Darth Sea Bass]

Depends on the setting really or if I'm pissed off or not. I'll normally edit myself on facebook but forums i normally let rip.

 

[MeChaNiZ3D]

Not out of politeness or consideration. I'll swear whenever the fuck I want. But sometimes I feel that f*** or not swearing works better in the context of what I'm saying or with the persona I'm portraying. I swear all the time in real life, for comedic effect, emphasis or whatnot, and I don't think swear words should even be frowned upon. They're a part of the language to be used.

 

[AidoZonkey]

I try not to swear on forums, mainly out of fear about being banned, but I do play it by ear. For instance if someone puts a forum that swears in the title F*ck yeah i will swear in the comments, otherwise I will just stick to "Damn" and "Hell" and the occasional "Bloody Hell". Swearing just loses its touch if you do it too much so its better just to do it one occasion

 

[Rblade]

I adjust my language every single minute, each listener requires a different approach, same goes from forum to forum, comment section to comment section. Know your audience

 

[King of Asgaard]

No, I don't censor myself, as there's no fucking point.
This is the internet, where harsh language can be found anywhere and everywhere, so explain to me why I should restrict the way in which I express myself.
Either say fuck, *****, shit, **** and all the rest, or don't, as that's personal preference in terms of lexis, but censoring is pointless.

 

[A Weakgeek]

If I don't feel like swearing, I certanly won't smack *s into the middle of the sentence, that looks just dumb. I just write it in a manner that conveys the emotion without cursewords.

 

[The_Echo]

I don't censor myself.

I might keep myself from saying certain words in certain contexts, (I've been known to use all manner of expletives) but I never, never put a censor on a 'bad word' I might say.

Reasons being, 1) it makes the word stand out, 2) it makes the given word look like absolute garbage and 3) everyone knows what it is anyway.

 

[Hagi]

Erm...

no.

I think it's rather silly to censor in the way you've demonstrated.

If you want to swear, then swear. Everyone knows what you mean if you put little stars there, you're still swearing.

If you don't want to swear, then don't swear. Just construct a different sentence devoid of swearing words, it's not very hard.

 

[Estranged180]

I'm about to put a big ole' kybosh on the whole censorship deal. Swearing is good for your health. Need proof, or perhaps some citation? Here 'tis.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/frederickallen/2011/04/21/use-foul-language-to-relieve-stress-and-pain/

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1913773,00.html

How's that for some serious fuckin' sources that ain't the huffington post, or faux news? =)

 

[Creator002]

I never censor unless it's a rule. I generally only swear online for emphasis, comedy or frustration/anger. In real life, though, I probably swear more than I should. Being Australian, however, it's basically part of the language. ^.^

 

[Angie7F]

I swear in forums and swear in real life too but dont get caught up in touchy topics.
I dont see the point in aggravating situation in an unnecessary manner.

 

[Cazza]

If I want to swear in my post I decide I'm not in the right frame of mind to post and stop. Swearing doesn't add anything to the topic only to blow off steam which I wouldn't be able to do typing it. Reputation is also important I don't expect people to remember my avatar or username when I do pop up in a topic, so I plan for no matter which of my posts you see first it's the best foot forward.

 

[ninjaRiv]

I swear a lot IRL but online I use it to make a point or to emphasise this fucking shit. It's an effective tool, bitches.

 

[Zantos]

It depends a lot on how I think it reads. In real life you can get away with adding gestures and facial expressions, therefore I swear a lot more than online where it's less easy to control how people read it. If it looks like I'm being aggressive or abusive where I don't mean to be, I tend to take it out. Or add a at the end.

 

[DugMachine]

Forums usually not, social networks I selectively censor myself just because I have family members/coworkers added and I'd rather not curse as I usually do. Especially family members, it just feels weird to me.

 

[Ieyke]

I censor myself only in my home territory, because we maintain absolute rule of order there. It is not the primitive wilds of the rest of The Internets. We hold our members to extremely high standards.

The only other time I censor myself is when I know certain people are part of my audience (e.g. on Facebook I censor myself the same way I would IRL, depending on the people.)

 

[DANEgerous]

I generally do not do so unless my audience is people who I would no speak in such a manner around. For instance my grandparent read my Twitter so I censor it. That is actually the only one I censor and take offense to people that caution "my language" in video games or life unless it is apparent kids are present or something like that.