Topic

Definition of an offensive name

Hi, I was recently contacted by admins because my name was deemed offensive by several players.  The way the admins contacted me was essentially in the form of a command (albeit polite) to change my name, else they would do it for me.  

I requested an explanation of how my name was offensive, and was told that it was the name of a criminal charged with sexual child abuse.  I had to google this because it was news to me, and based on what I read, the charges post-date my character creation, which proves that at least this character was named without the intention to offend.  Beyond that, it's a handle I've used for years in numerous other games, and I drew it from a book (as a call sign for an experimental fighter plane--inserted for emphasis), which in turn derived it from the name of a town. 

I've since changed the name because 1. I knew the admin was just doing their job and 2. I wanted to go to bed, but the principle of it all still doesn't sit well with me.  I feel maligned, like the bearded man on the street who is judged at a glance for being associated with terrorists, or the stranger with shades and a hoodie on who is given a wide berth because he surely means to mug you.

How would the rest of you feel if you were approached like this?

Posted 13 months ago by Inéo Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

  • I only just realised what the "offensive" name was and realised I talked to you before (if you remember). I don't think you should be blamed at all. In the country we live in, I doubt many people know about the case. I've never heard of the case myself.  Only just realised when someone tweeted about it, thought the name was familiar (because we've talked) and then I remembered reading this thread, everything sort of clicked. 
    I guess the staff couldn't really have done much and I agree maybe when it blows over you should ask for the name back.
    Posted 13 months ago by Kieley Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Parrow Gnolle - RE: colors for names, I know you said primary, but can I please be Aubergine? Thx. :D
    Posted 13 months ago by Nissus Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Cedar Point better move...

    I agree with everyone above... Not offensive and downright stupid to make you change your name.

    Thumbs down on this one Tiny Speck. :(
    Posted 13 months ago by Kungaloosh Subscriber! | Permalink
  • First they came for Pedo Murderface, and I said nothing...
    Posted 13 months ago by Black Francis Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Problem is, when one thing is taken as offensive due to being connected to an event or accusation, before long with such a massive society as we now inhabit, with so many news connected countries you eventually will end with a situation where every name, brand, logo etc can be connected with something 'bad'.
    Society in general is over reactionary and a little paranoid when it comes to things like this, I think the people who complained should have asked you first, it would have been pretty easy to see if you were just a nut who wanted to stir trouble or just a victim of circumstance yourself. They might have learnt something about not jumping to conclusions at the same time, in fact
    I hope you are allowed to have your name back soon or at least at agreed upon time in the future once the legal situation has started to pass from memory.

    What looks like the simplest solution on the surface is not always the best :3
    Posted 13 months ago by Anamenti Subscriber! | Permalink
  • If is just a name that happens to match a recent name in the news, then the Devs need to consider that and give you back the name. The people who complained are just over sensative a bit I would say. If your intention was not to cause a ruckus then let that be the end of it and maybe educate the ones complaining to get over it.
    Posted 13 months ago by Cyaan Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I am disappointed that no one has grabbed Pedo Murderface as a username yet.
    Posted 13 months ago by Knitomaton Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Thumbs down in general, but it's kiling me to not know what the name was. If someone was willing to pm me, that'd be awesome, because I'm oblivious but horribly curious. :/
    Posted 13 months ago by Lady Cailia Subscriber! | Permalink
  • If multiple players are running across your character and finding it upsetting because there is a child molester with that name in the news, wouldn't you WANT to change names?  It has nothing to do with intent, because most people who walk past you in Groddle don't know you personally.  They see a child molester's name over an avatar's head and are understandably upset.

    I don't know the name in question, but it sounds like you are the victim of a very unfortunate coincidence.  I believe TS made the right call, since it's a high enough profile story and distinctive enough name that multiple players were upset.
    Posted 13 months ago by Lucille Ball Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Good job, TS staff
    Posted 13 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +1 lucille!

    eta: maybe when the news isn't so fresh in people's minds you could change your name back, op? i do feel bad you had to change your name because of someone else's terrible behavior
    Posted 13 months ago by syntax error Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I feel like you shouldn't have had to change it at all.  You shouldn't have to change based on something that happened after your account was made.

    Let's use one of Glitch's own guidelines.  They suggest goofy names like Sir Mix-a-Lot when signing up.  Who can tell if Sir Mix-a-Lot might be in a scandal sometime from now?  But that isn't the fault of the Glitch who made the name.  The offensive names rule should apply to newly created Glitches, not people who got unlucky in the news.  Like if someone ran around called Casey Anthony right now, I could see where that would cause controversy and would fall under the clause.  But it shouldn't be retroactive when the Glitch in question had no intention of being offensive.

    I think the farthest this should have gone is for Ineo to have been able to say "Hey TS, ___ scandal has been going on right now and that's making things a bit awkward for me.  Can I have a name change without having to pay 100 credits in light of current events?"  The decision should have been with him.
    Posted 13 months ago by Space Core Subscriber! | Permalink
  • That is ridiculous - how anybody can judge whose name is offensive and whose not? (if obviously name isn't pedo murderface, even tho it is better than many I've seen in Glitch...).
    Every name can hold hidden meanings, simple because of existence of different world languages - lol, that's why even car companies pays REAL money to check if it's name have real ugly meaning in country they plan to sell - but it usually don't work so perfectly - so, LOL, here we have ''Kuga'' car which in my language literary means ''plaque'' - not so apealing name for a car XD
    I'm sorry this happened to you.
    Posted 13 months ago by Tyll'ienne Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Has anyone complained about the several characters named Osama?  I think we ought to, just to see how TS responds.

    (Oh yeah, and PS: although I'm as disgusted as everyone else by the revelations in the case which probably triggered the problem for the OP, there has not yet been a trial and no one has been convicted. Does this mean that whenever someone is accused of something vile, we can complain to TS staff about a similar character name and they'll make players change it?  Before there's even been a conviction, just when there's public outrage?)

    Thumbs down from me on this one, TS.  Wrong call.
    Posted 13 months ago by Eleanor Rigby Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Samir: No one in this country can ever pronounce my name right. It's not that hard: Na-ghee-na-na-jar. Nagheenanajar. 
    Michael: Yeah, well, at least your name isn't Michael Bolton. 
    Samir: You know, there's nothing wrong with that name. 
    Michael: There was nothing wrong with it... until I was about twelve years old and that no-talent ***-clown became famous and started winning Grammys. 
    Samir: Hmm... well, why don't you just go by Mike instead of Michael? 
    Michael: No way! Why should I change? He's the one who sucks.
    Posted 13 months ago by Locutus Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I was just thinking about that scene last night.... :)
    Posted 13 months ago by Eleanor Rigby Subscriber! | Permalink
  • OMG, Pedo Murderface HAS to be someone's name now. Or I will cry.
    Posted 13 months ago by Epilady Subscriber! | Permalink
  • lol @ Locutus
    Posted 13 months ago by Becky Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Seriously, you guys, what's wrong with my name? Griefers, all of you!
    Posted 13 months ago by Pedo Murderface Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Pedo -  I was your first girlfriend at school - can't you remember? I gave you a worm, in two halves, in a matchbox.
    Posted 13 months ago by Slippy (Throb) Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Pedo Murderface: you're my hero
    Posted 13 months ago by ✦ SHI∇IΔΠ ✦ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • The site absolves the dude. He is okay. His profile page says:

    "Level 1
    Pedo Murderface hasn't done anything yet. "
    Posted 13 months ago by Parrow Gnolle Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Undid.
    Posted 13 months ago by Glorificus Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Pedo HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA! ...that is all

    ETA: yet!
    Posted 13 months ago by Deegan Subscriber! | Permalink
  • You win Glitch (for the next 10 mins) Pedo.
    Posted 13 months ago by dmnddgs Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Oh, and Parrow, you come second.
    Posted 13 months ago by dmnddgs Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm pretty sure I probably shouldn't be laughing this hard about our friend P. Murderface...but this is AWESOME.
    Posted 13 months ago by Epilady Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Jesus, Pedo Murderface, and I thought MY name was offensive!
    Posted 13 months ago by Hitler Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Hitler - did you eat my hamster?
    Posted 13 months ago by Slippy (Throb) Subscriber! | Permalink
  • It's not like my name is Sandusky or anything. I *hate* Ohio!
    Posted 13 months ago by Pedo Murderface Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Yep. So this spiraled out of control. My job is done here. 
    Posted 13 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • what's REALLY important is that we all get on the badwagon to inform the city of sandusky, OH that their name is disturbing and regardless of prior existence they must change it, NOW.

    www.ci.sandusky.oh.us/

    remember how effective the campaign was against LA after the LA strangler?

    seriously. i'd think a city would WANT to change its name after that.
    Posted 13 months ago by flask Subscriber! | Permalink
  • What about LA! the Butterfly Singer?!
    Posted 13 months ago by ✦ SHI∇IΔΠ ✦ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • xev, did i mention that i love you?

    the day is not a full day unless someone goes all hurty-pants and something beautiful happens.
    Posted 13 months ago by flask Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Eye Wonder if my name offends anyone. =P
    Posted 13 months ago by Eye Wonder Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I love Mr. Murderface's outfit.  A trench. And tighty-whities. All he needs is a van.
    Posted 13 months ago by CrashTestPilot Subscriber! | Permalink
  • That's it, changing my name to Mister McFeely.

    Anyway, anyone knew to Glitch should just read over this thread.
    Just see what kind of stuff goes on here.
    Posted 13 months ago by Volkov Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Crashtestpilot - That is such a great idea!
    Posted 13 months ago by Pedo Murderface Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Hey guys, sorry it's taken so long to chime in on this. We're constantly making decisions about language and names based on feedback from players exposed to them, and we try to be as fair and judicious as possible. In this case, demanding a player to change their name was not the right course of action, but your very own discussion of the "Sandusky" problem here has brought to light a lot of the difficult and not-obvious thinking that goes into talking to players about the names they choose for themselves. There are valid concerns at play on either side of the discussion.  

    Going forward, we're still going to keep aware of those names that, because of temporary or historical connotations, would be very offensive to someone. But though we may initiate conversation about how they could be interpreted by other players, the name in and of itself will not be enough to require a change.  

    In the end it comes down to the intent the player had in creating that name (was it to purposefully offend and make other players uncomfortable?), the other actions they take in the game, and the overwhelming feedback from the community about whether it's something we can stand to keep around.  

    The reason there aren't black and white guidelines around this is that we don't want to define away all the possible grey areas. This is an adult game. Names and speech, as well as player reactions to both of these, are all nuanced and require a knowledge of the community they are taking place in. The essence of the Community Guidelines still applies here - don't be a jerk - but how this translates to what is and is not moderated will be ongoing and organic. 
    Posted 13 months ago by Blanky Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Let me pile on. TK-855 said Dick, or was it dick? There are hundreds of REAL people in the U.S. who are not pedophiles with the name Sandusky. Don't think it's a curse word. Don't think that TS should call it a curse word because of some Glitchens' discomfort.

    Usually Tiny Speck has a light and elegant solution to conflict situations. This time it was heavy and clumsy. I think there's time, tho, for recovery. They are also great at that.
    Posted 13 months ago by Mac Rapalicious Subscriber! | Permalink
  • See? Thanks Blanky!
    Posted 13 months ago by Mac Rapalicious Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Home run Blanky. Home run.
    Posted 13 months ago by ✦ SHI∇IΔΠ ✦ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Ongoing and organic is just what I like about Glitch. And TS.
    And today, another great Xev brainchild was born.
    I think we have a lot to celebrate here, guys!

    <hands everyone a round of delicious and strange-tasting Bloody Murderfaces. In tall glasses. With um, "garnish." >

    Cheers!
    Posted 13 months ago by CrashTestPilot Subscriber! | Permalink
  • If multiple players are running across your character and finding it upsetting because there is a child molester with that name in the news, wouldn't you WANT to change names?  It has nothing to do with intent, because most people who walk past you in Groddle don't know you personally.  They see a child molester's name over an avatar's head and are understandably upset.

    I see how this is/could be the case, but then couldn't I be informed first?  I do think the intent does matter, and if I was consulted like an adult and advised that my name was making people uncomfortable, I could then make an informed decision to change it.

    Thanks Blanky, good to hear from the authority. 
    Posted 13 months ago by Inéo Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm thrilled to see Blanky's response, as I was about to pile on with the wave of thumbs-down, but I'd also like to propose a technical response which may be helpful.

    Allow players to change the name they see for other glitches.  That is, if I find Xev's name offensive (stay with me here), I could override her name to SplankRingLeader and whenever I see her in-game or anywhere else bound to the Glitch APIs, that's the name I see for her.  Everyone else still sees Xev unless they also override her name.

    TS can monitor the override database and if a particular user has an especially high number of overrides or blocks, they can deal with that player out-of-game as they see fit.

    This is not a simple issue, and per the Habitat paper, solving problems by fiat undermines the community.  I think TS understands that and we have to remember that we're all figuring this out as we go along, together.
    Posted 13 months ago by Crag Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm just glad my name isn't offensive. WHEW!
    Posted 13 months ago by Hitler Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Bah… nevermind. Would be helpful if the OP would update the initial post so's the tl;dr crowd can save some modicum of face.

    Pardon me while I wipe the egg off mine.
    Posted 13 months ago by Tamashii Subscriber! | Permalink
  •  Tamashii - I think you should read the rest of page 2.
    Posted 13 months ago by Knitomaton Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Tamashii: Internet Forums Rule #442: no-one will read your post, or take your seriously, until you've read the whole thing. Try again.
    Posted 13 months ago by ✦ SHI∇IΔΠ ✦ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • More specifically, 8 posts above your own.
    Posted 13 months ago by Little Miss Giggles Subscriber! | Permalink