*still waiting for a reply from 000s. As it is the weekend I don't expect a response till Monday/Tuesday*
Let me just make something clear. I never had a problem with people using the <69 in this way as a sort of signature on the forum or in game. I honestly never really looked into it. I always believed it to be just a tag for personal use of a small minority. Only until a curious member of our forum searched what it meant, did I become surprised that 000s allowed the use of such number used as <69 to imply something obscene. This may be only 3 characters composed of two harmless numbers, but the way it is used it portraits a symbol.
Any symbol that has obscene/abusive/derogatory/inappropriate/racial meaning should be banned from use and the people knowingly using it should be banned also. If people are allowed to use such symbol then surely I can start mixing a few numbers of my own that also has similar meaning to <69 or even more derogatory. Believe me I know many and I'm sure 000s does not favour certain individuals over others. So I should be allowed. Just so that people know the meaning of 69 here is the definition. If anyone feels offended by reading it then surely you feel the same way as most people do about the use of this symbol <69, so don't be afraid to come forward and express your concern.
This site is an online slang dictionary. It contains definitions of online slang. It's contents can easily be accessed by anyone. Adult or child. I have simply provided a quick one click link to the definition of 69. Every word/symbol has a meaning I am only providing that meaning. I hope this embarrasses the people using it. They are definitely not setting a good example if they carry on using such a symbol.
[link removed]
The thing that is even more surprising is that if someone has explained the meaning of such use of numbers to be obscene in content and the people using it carries on, fully aware of the meaning as they have been told what it is, then why do they carry on? Not only do they carry on using <69 in their posts they use to deliberately mock the people telling them what they are typing is not appropriate in meaning. It's like me telling a child the meaning of the F word after they have used it, only for them to turn around and say the F word back at me.
This was the first response I got from a member of the 000s staff. In response to this I have sent two emails.
Greetings,
Thank you for your feedback and concern! If you have suggestions as to any
mechanical changes to how player-generated forum and or game content (this
includes chat) is handled, the best place to make them is on the Suggestions
section of the forums, where they can be discussed and refined and will be
read by our developers. Thank you!
Best wishes,
So as I wait for a response. Are there any concerned sk community members that would like to share their suggestion on a way to stop the use of derogatory/obscene symbols? Surely if 000s does not take serious action then they also are going against their own rules. In my eyes a ban is the most appropriate action. By banning people 000s will set an example, and a message sent out to others that any form of symbol or word that means something obscene or derogatory is not allowed on the forum, irrespective if you don't know or know the meaning of it. Many people don't use it. It is only used by a few, meaning they know what it is. So taking action isn't hard.
Take away the right for people to use the forum if they only use <69 as a form of tag rather than a common use of numbers. There is a big difference. There is no need to use <69 to finish off every sentence. Why not use 11 or 33 or 45 or 88 or 23 or 84? Because the meaning of 69 is far more attracting to dirty minded people.
If you want to start a debate, you have it here. I honestly do not think of 69 as anything taboo or offensive, unless you view it that way. Why is it offensive in the first place, is it because it is meant to symbolize a sexual position rather than to symbolize a number? Are we really gonna ban the number now?
While I agree that EoS and Njthug and co. uses the symbol to represent that sole definition, I do not think it is any cause for alarm. Rather, it is a representation of themselves and as a joke. They can act indifferently among themselves whilst using that number, why is it different from others?
What I see is that it is not about how the sender should act mature, rather about how the receiver should instead. We should not educate people about what to mute, rather educate people what is the right thing to do upon hearing what seems offensive to you. We don't want to exercise force, isn't that what free speech has come to undo?
Don't do this, don't be harsh on the young. These hatchlings need to learn the ways of our world as they grow up, then let them slowly learn it. What needs to be done is to teach them maturity, rather than block them out, and this is exactly the problem with the world today. Although I said this, we elders and seniors also need to retain our sense of maturity too, knowing when to say the right thing. When it's safe and otherwise, then let your vulgarities flow, discuss porn or what not.