Topic

Username Censorship

A couple days ago staff contacted me and declared that they felt my name wasn't appropriate for Glitch and required me to change it. I wasn't in love with the name (Blue Waffle) so I complied and submitted my alternative name choice (Clappy Funt). Well, apparently that was also unacceptable because it was "sexually offensive" and my name was changed to Round Waffle for the time being.

I believed this was ridiculous and argued that it was hypocritical for a game which contains blatant sexual innuendoes in interactions with wood trees and have items like High-Class Hoe to deny me from using Clappy Funt as my username. I also asked whether i was being unfairly penalized since they're several other usernames running around that are in a similar vein and why those who find my name offensive couldn't just block me.

Their response was they had to consider how the community will see things and that while clever innuendo was a part of Glitch it had to be clever, not vulgar or rude. 

Again i complied, by giving another alternative name choice as i justed wanted to get it over with... Now here i am 5 days later without so much as a response. Every day that's passed i've felt more and more like this policy places unproportionate power into the hands of our resident puritans and pushes Glitch towards a descent into an undesirable nanny state. That i couldn't be the only one who found immature, playful names an amusing welcome addition or believe that this level of censorship is hypocritical and unnessecary in the decidedly adult world of Glitch. 

So my question to the community is: How do you feel about username censorship?

Posted 12 months ago by Fur Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

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  • hey, you don't like it?

    just munchma kuchi.
    Posted 12 months ago by flask Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Volkov I have not complained about anyone attacking me or my moral fiber and everyone is fully in their right to but i also have a right to defend myself. And what am i playing innocent to?

    @Mr Click Oh so the sexual innuendoes wood trees and butterfly say as well as drug and alcohol references are all fine and dandy but don't dare have an immature name. I haven't seen any reviews complaining about those features. I believe Massively has even praised TS on their sense of humour and it's something i love about this game too.

    i think i've properly stated my stance on this and backed it up with reasonable arguments so just munchma kuchi (btw i laughed when i got your name). 
    Posted 12 months ago by Fur Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Floppy Pick, there's a difference between sexual innuendo and vulgarity. Did you name cross that line? It's a very subjective question, but obviously TS and others think so.
    Posted 12 months ago by LittleMan Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I seriously hope I have offended no Honda riders!
    Posted 12 months ago by Harley Davidson Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Again I never would have thought of Floppy Pick as being full of inuendo either.  >_<

    One time on another forum I go to, one of my characters was renamed, from Pink Fluffy Yuri to just Pink Fluff... turns out Yuri refers to a whole sub-genre, of which I was unaware.  -_-  Once the staff pointed out my error I immediately was embarrassed and apologised profusely.

    The thing is, the original poster did no such thing.  He (she??) clearly wants to be as offensive and derogatory as possible.  I'm glad TS took action and I hope they will continue to do so in the future.
    Posted 12 months ago by ♪♥~ Auren ~♥♪ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • theres a very big difference in inuendoes used in game and what is being used as names, ingame is very *mild*. and you clearly know it. and use it as something to rant of.. really stop and think for a second about how the difference is
    Posted 12 months ago by Hootaholic Subscriber! | Permalink
  • i don't see a difference or how it's derogatory. i see it as in the same vein as munchma kuchi which i think of as clever, funny and mild. if my names had "your' in front of it then i could see it as derogatory. i see you as attributing undue malicious intent to me which i dont believe i exhibit as ive addressed everyone, even those who oppose my views, respectfully. i also have never griefed or harassed anyone in game and that can be backed up by the logs. i did once snatch a key from under a key squatter but i offered to let them follow me into ajaya bliss.

    so if the difference is so big please explain it. i don't see why wood trees can hint at erections but i can't hint at female anatomy. is female anatomy somehow more threatening or vulgar?
    Posted 12 months ago by Fur Subscriber! | Permalink
  • nevermind 
    Posted 12 months ago by Gordon Gekko Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Floppy Pick: the difference is that cunt is a vulgarism used as a derogatory and abusive term towards women for a hundred years, give or take. It's considered one of the most offensive words in the English language in most English speaking countries. Yes, some feminists have tried (with limited success in small circles) to reclaim it, but your use of it, based on your choices for other user names, is not for this purpose. You can feign ignorance, if you like, but it was clearly chosen for shock value.
    Posted 12 months ago by Vera Strange Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Seems like a day in which we're discussing exactly what kind of community we desire in Glitch, and I see a lot of interesting points.  As I mentioned in an update thread when someone asked me about whose side I was on, I replied, "I am on the side of a strong Glitch community where everyone feels safe and respected."

    I think that there's a pretty broad line between danger and discomfort.  You may be uncomfortable with Round Waffle's choices, but I find it hard to believe that this made someone feel unsafe.  A simple search for "friends" in Glitch yielded names like "unicorn cat penis", "taint cake", "Scrumpy Tits" and "nipple fish cream", et al.  

    So, Blue Waffle ain't dangerous.

    That leaves respect.  One might feel disparaged that someone would make an allusion to female genitalia in jest.  As a female, I'm okay with it (and I was back when I strolled past that player with the OLD name intact), but I don't speak for my gender (thank goodness).  If you feel like Round Waffle's name is disrespectful to YOU, by all means, report that stuff.  If you're worried that it might be upsetting to someone else, let THEM decide.

    Now, I'm going to hit "Enter the world..." and squeeze some hens.
    Posted 12 months ago by Sloppy Ketchup Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Dude, if I don't know what it is without googling it... why did TS care??? 

    ETA: also, I would have thought of blueberry waffles and thought, "yum!". NOT ....that.
    Posted 12 months ago by Lady Cailia Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Floppy: Thank you for defining what I do and do not understand.
    Really glad that's out there.
    My comments stand.
    Posted 12 months ago by CrashTestPilot Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Also, I stand with Vera & Volkov. And everyone else that is not you.
    Posted 12 months ago by CrashTestPilot Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Someone made a username that someone found objectionable. They were not banned or suspended, but instead approached and asked to change it. When the revision was still considered over the line, a bland varient was assigned, which the user didn't like, so he changed to something more agreeable to him.

    I fail to see the problem.
    Posted 12 months ago by MrVolare Subscriber! | Permalink
  • And then he posted, and we all said stuff.
    No problem here.
    Just a griefer getting the attention he wants.
    And we're all predictably enabling.
    Darn!
    Posted 12 months ago by CrashTestPilot Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Vera Strange actually in britain and australia cunt is the equivalent of "bro", "buddy", etc. and frequently used as a term of endearment. you can believe what you like about my intentions. clearly, you've already made up your mind about that. but i hope you recognize that, that's your interpretation of me and may not be actual.

    @Crashtestpilot you don't think using the forums to discuss what the community feels about username censorship is appropriate. i got it.

    this has derailed to ad hominem arguments that don't really address the topic.

    so far this small sample size shows that the community has wildly differing views on what exactly constitutes an inappropriate name.

    i'm still of the opinion that blocking one on one should suffice for those who find particular names offensive and don't see a compelling argument against that.
    Posted 12 months ago by Fur Subscriber! | Permalink
  • i'm still of the opinion that blocking one on one should suffice for those who find particular names offensive and don't see a compelling argument against that.

    You don't have to see a compelling argument.  The game isn't designed around your view  of the world.  TS believes that blocking one on one does not suffice in this instance.  

    Clearly the "wildly differing views" cannot be taken as a groundswell of support for your position.  TS staff made a judgment call. They will continue to make judgment calls.  In cases where a large majority of the user base feels their call was in the wrong direction, it is still TS's game and it's still their call.  In this case, there's not even a large amount of support for your position, so I doubt TS will reconsider their decision. Whether or not you have been persuaded, that's the reality you're dealing with. 
    Posted 12 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • That's true, i even said something similar here. TS has every right to run the game as they please, i haven't said anything opposing that but they have expressed a desire to listen to community input and in my issue had said that it was a reason they censored my name. Hence me trying to figure out where the community does stand on this. If you personally don't care what the community thinks, awesome. That's another stance of value.

    A lesser company would squash all things questioning their authority and/or actions and i'm thankful TS seems to care what their playerbase thinks and welcomes open discussion. 
    Posted 12 months ago by Fur Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm just glad they haven't figured out what my name means yet..
    Posted 12 months ago by Muncey Mango Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm surprised anyone from TS hasn't responded yet to this thread. Do you have a name for the staff member involved? I know they hired more people recently and a newer employee might not have fully understood the community here as well as they should. Otherwise, a direct complaint from a new player might have been behind it for the same reason. This event seems very odd for this game and the staff. 
    Posted 12 months ago by Fokian Fool Subscriber! | Permalink
  • <deleted by user/ overpost>
    Posted 12 months ago by CrashTestPilot Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Floppy:  I think the discussion is fine. I just think intentionally picking an off-color name and then wondering out loud why one was targeted is disingenuous, a waste of time, and more reflective of the character of the person who is picking an off-color name than it is a constructive discussion.
    I don't mind you commenting @ me directly, but please, if you can, cease misrepresenting any of my posted views, or putting words in my mouth.

    I am pro-censorship, that is the only view I really wish to represent.  It's the only way to keep the community protected from immature griefing.
    Posted 12 months ago by CrashTestPilot Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +1 crashtestpilot.
    Posted 12 months ago by Innie✿, Obviously Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Can I just say there used to be a street in medieval London called Gropecuntlane? Meaning exactly....that? This word is older than you'd think...and yes, in certain circles people call each other cunt as a term of quasi-endearment - the same as some Americans like to refer to each other as fucks...not a term of endearment for everyone- most certainly not if the vicar comes over for tea....
    Both cunt as well as fuck have long lost their original meanings in slang. I'm sure more men are called stupid cunts today than women...just like twat. Which also started its existence as a term for the female genitals, and today mostly means "stupid person", in most cases male...

    So which "general usage" and feelings are we concerned with? The general American populace? Isn't that racist/regionalist? Or are we looking at social differences in language use here? So it's only middle/upper class language usage? Working-class slang is deemed unclean and forbidden? but which one, British, American, Australian...?

    (Yes, I'm a linguist, but no, I don't want to hear the "cunning linguist" thing again - there's already a user in Glitch called that anyway! Which shows that there are some immature names around that haven't been banned.... :P)
    Posted 12 months ago by Alyx Sands Subscriber! | Permalink
  • i wondered because Glitch contains several off-colour elements and other players around with off-colour names, so the fact that my name was not acceptable baffled me and made me want to know what the community thought. i feel like ive explained that a million times. if that is griefing or attention grabbing behaviour, so be it. i don't really care what you think of me, from your replies i've certainly formed thoughts about you. i've taken your posts wrong? then my apologies.
    Posted 12 months ago by Fur Subscriber! | Permalink
  • nevermind
    Posted 12 months ago by Gordon Gekko Subscriber! | Permalink
  • When I see a vulgar name in the game, it helps me to know that I don't have to concern myself with making friends with that person.  They do not share my sense of humor, they are not going to have conversations that are interesting to me, and they are not at all interested in my enjoyment of the game.  It's a good thing.
    Posted 12 months ago by Jewel Stoned Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I would hereby like to publicly apologize for possibly, inadvertently, and completely unintentionally offending any and all Glitchen who may (or may not) be in possession of stripes, checks, or any patterns other than dots. I hereby expand my definition of "dots" to be all-inclusive, as the "any" part of my name might imply. I am proud of my dots, as I would hope that you all might be of your own patterns! (Or even lack thereof!)

    While a blue waffle pattern may (or may not) be unbecoming, I cannot stand idly by and let the good name of any pattern be besmirched, whether by Urban Dictionary or 4chan. ;)
    Posted 12 months ago by Jennyanydots Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Jennyanydots, I thought you had both tiger stripes and leopard spots.
    Posted 12 months ago by Midori Bearsdale Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Crash I... think I love you.  -_-
    Posted 12 months ago by ♪♥~ Auren ~♥♪ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Miso: Aw! Thanks!
    Posted 12 months ago by CrashTestPilot Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Void Bearsdale, indeed I do! All the more reason for me to try to promote understanding among all patterns.
    Posted 12 months ago by Jennyanydots Subscriber! | Permalink
  • You agree not to create a username that: (i) impersonates someone else, including another user, (ii) is illegal or is protected by trademark or other proprietary rights laws, or may cause confusion, (iii) is or may be considered vulgar, defamatory, obscene, hateful, racially, ethnically or otherwise offensive, and/or (iv) is otherwise inappropriate. You agree that we reserve the right to refuse, change, or delete any username at any time and for any reason.

    I think the ToS was pretty clear what their rules are pertaining to names.
    Posted 12 months ago by Innie✿, Obviously Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Honestly "floppy", I don't care whether you've skirted the ToS or not, but your name is pretty lame. Coy only goes so far and coy, junior-high-school innuendo is simply immature. grow up.
    Posted 12 months ago by Woochi Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Yes. That language is very clear. Especially the last part about "at any time and for any reason". How could the statement be more clear and definitive than that?

    There really isn't a lot of rationale presented, though. So we are having this thread. I have seen a few usernames that made me wince a little. I even saw a Jesus Christ (but have not seen any yet with the guts and gumption to use the name Mohammed)

    The thing about "a rose by any other name" does apply though. No name is really that special that we should be outraged if asked to choose another. You are really able to be the same glitch whatever you are called. Why choose to go by a name you suspect will upset other players? We aren't in this game to fight about names. At least I don't think that is the point of Glitch.

    When we are active on Tiny Speck's servers we are guests in their house. Kinda, we have been invited to a many months long party they are throwing. What's the point in being a rude houseguest?

    If I had to make a point to summarize what I have just typed (and it would be painful to go back and rework it a lot to smoothen everything I typed above because I am typing this in on an iPod) it would be:

    Aren't all sides. making a bigger deal out of this than they really should? Isn't this just a casual, fun, online game?
    Posted 12 months ago by Parrow Gnolle Subscriber! | Permalink
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