Curse

Cass · Jun 26, 2007, 02:19 PM // 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by spawnofebil

EDIT: Cass-your character names are insulting to me. Cassandra was a victim of rape. I demand you change them.

I couldn't care less dude lol. Maybe you didn't pick up on it but I am not bothered with Snype's name at all. I think it's pretty retarded to try hard and make a name like that, but it doesn't offend me. Try again.

!!in before the lock!!

Bale_Shadowscar · Jun 26, 2007, 02:47 PM // 14:47

I think I found the reason for your ban:

Quote:

Guildwars code of conduct, point 4: You may not use sexually explicit, harmful, threatening, abusive, defamatory, obscene, hateful, or racially or ethnically offensive language.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/defamatory

Defamatory: "tending to disgrace or lower public opinion of a person or to harm a person's reputation"

As far as I can see, the name "Snype has A I D S" is using defamatory language towards the person called Snype.

lacasner · Jun 26, 2007, 02:52 PM // 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by lacasner

Perhaps whoever reported him had the perception that he was mocking someone who actually did have HIV/AIDS, and therefor had the morale decency to report them.

Tbh, I think this is the only way you can actually deem the OP's name offensive, and really in itself I don't see how he can be banned when his name is pertaining to himself. But there is no way Anet could have known that.

What I said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bale_Shadowscar

Defamatory: "tending to disgrace or lower public opinion of a person or to harm a person's reputation"

As far as I can see, the name "Snype has A I D S" is using defamatory language towards the person called Snype.

Isn't his name Snype? If so

, then my assumption was right.

icymanipulator · Jun 26, 2007, 02:55 PM // 14:55

Thats like saying he is responsible for a car accident because he was a witness. This whole thing stinks of hypocrisy. Either broaden whats unacceptable including all diseases ever, all pejorative racist terms against all people everywhere, or honestly give it a rest. There is nothing even remotely offensive about the usage of AIDS in the OP's name and if, IF, your name happens to be Snype and you happen to play Guildwars and you happen to have AIDS and you find that offensive, maybe you need to be doing something else with your time.

I have seen people with Yersinia half the binomial nomenclature for the black plague. Viruses can be classified taxonomically believe it or not. Call yourself "Retroviridae HIV" and I promise you the crying will stop. It would require either an education or effort to look it up on wikipedia.

dargon · Jun 26, 2007, 03:36 PM // 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snype

If I named my character "A I D S Is Fun", I wouldn't be posting here. The use of the word was in no way offensive, hurtful, or racially targeted at any group or minority. The ban was unjustified in the context of THEIR OWN User Agreement.

Look, as was pointed out by Bale Shadowscar

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bale_Shadowscar

I think I found the reason for your ban:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/defamatory

Defamatory: "tending to disgrace or lower public opinion of a person or to harm a person's reputation"

As far as I can see, the name "Snype has A I D S" is using defamatory language towards the person called Snype.

ANet and NCSoft don't give a rats ass what your forum name is. Your name, the one that got you a suspension, is defamatory. If I made a character called "Snype has his head up his butt" and then went to a forum and made an account with the name Snype I could claim I wasn't being a jerk and defaming you, I WOULD BE FULL OF IT. Anet and NCSoft cannot assume that you're making fun of yourself because that would just potentially open them up to a world of lawsuits from all the people named Snype, whether or not they have a character in Guildwars named Snype. Face it, it was a dumb move to name a character like that and in your moment of utter brilliance you earned yourself a temp ban. Learn from the mistake and move on, don't come on here acting like you are morally superior. ANet / NCSoft could just as easily say, we don't like you and permablock your account, it is their right as per the EULA that you agreed to (whether or not EULA's hold water, you did agree to follow and accept certain rules)

MSecorsky · Jun 26, 2007, 03:46 PM // 15:46

What it boils down to is this... it's not whether the name you choose is offensive to you, it's whether the name you choose could reasonably be considered offensive to a realistic segment of the population. Including AIDS in your name realistically can and will offend a significant number of people. Including Toast in your name (for example) will not offend a significant number of people.

If you think there's any significant group of people that will be offended, don't do it! It doesn't matter whether or not you personally are not offended.

Tingi · Jun 26, 2007, 03:58 PM // 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by X89

Ok first off, ALL of my pvp names should be banned. Second, I hope they do offend people. Here is a complete list of character names I use.

Kunt Puncher
Gaping Va Gi Na
Incest Is The Best
My Sistr The Fistr
The Red Ragger
Muffdiver Survivor
Fist Full Of Crisco
Kum Swap Queen

To add to that, any other lewd names I can think of get put on a list, and get used from time to time. As far as the name debate goes, who cares, he put aids at the end of his name.

LMAO. you have officially won this thread!

Code=007 · Jun 26, 2007, 04:02 PM // 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bale_Shadowscar

I think I found the reason for your ban:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/defamatory

Defamatory: "tending to disgrace or lower public opinion of a person or to harm a person's reputation"

As far as I can see, the name "Snype has A I D S" is using defamatory language towards the person called Snype.

can`t believe the ammount of stupidity on this thread, guys stop arguing if AIDS is offensive, is a defamatory name, as plain as that, they don't know if snype is your son, brother, teacher etc. telling to everyone X has AIDS is offensive thta's the reason of his ban.

garethporlest18 · Jun 26, 2007, 04:13 PM // 16:13

Well all I know is I'm glad this game sucks too much too enjoy so I can go around being all offensive and causing you people distress and not give a damn when I get banned.

I can understand why AIDS would be banned though, everyone is a big prude and that's the way it goes. It's Anet's world though and you gotta follow the rules.

Oh and this is a game, no matter how many real people play it, it's not the real world. Don't relate the two.

icymanipulator · Jun 26, 2007, 04:14 PM // 16:14

If you equate "stupidity" with a dissenting view to your own, then yes the thread is stupid. You better never go to court and lose though.

Lets take a look at what defamation actually means shall we?

Defamation

Noun

1. Act of injuring another's reputation by any slanderous communication, written or oral; the wrong of maliciously injuring the good name of another; slander; detraction; calumny; aspersion.

Unless someone on Guildwars is:

1. actually named Snype in real life
2. happens to have AIDS
3. takes offense to that name

Your point doesn't hold up. Instead of calling people "stupid" why not just try saying "I don't agree", if that is what you actually mean.

Code=007 · Jun 26, 2007, 05:13 PM // 17:13

still is defamatory and that's the viewpoint of anet get in on your brain

icymanipulator · Jun 26, 2007, 05:29 PM // 17:29

How exactly do I go about getting something "on my brain"?

I have met or heard about exactly 0 people named "Snype" up until this thread. In order to be defamatory by definition it would have to maliciously target someone named "Snype" with the intent of slander. Had he named himself "John has A I D S" or "Bob has A I D S" you would have a point. He didn't so you don't.

Censor everything provocative or censor nothing, otherwise its politically correct hypocrisy.

Code=007 · Jun 26, 2007, 05:39 PM // 17:39

you just don't get it right?

icymanipulator · Jun 26, 2007, 05:47 PM // 17:47

You know what, you are right I don't get it.

I don't get why cracker, whitey, ofay etc. are acceptable and negro is not.
I don't get why other far deadlier pandemics/diseases are acceptable and AIDS is not.
I don't get why names like:
Kunt Puncher
Gaping Va Gi Na
Incest Is The Best
My Sistr The Fistr
The Red Ragger
Muffdiver Survivor
Fist Full Of Crisco
Kum Swap Queen

and yet this is not:
Snype has A I D S

Unless of course its BS politically correct hypocrisy.

DreamRunner · Jun 26, 2007, 05:53 PM // 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeniM

I'm sure lots of peoples names spell something else if you swap all the letters round

And no it doesn't offend me but i can see your an ass now if this was deliberate as names that you have to ask "Does this offend you?" are clearly designed to offend as many people as you can manage

So, If I put my name as "I think, therefore I am" But mix it up, or any common famous quotes by philosophers over the past centuries. And ask if it offends anyone. I must be a jerk or someone you like to call, an ass.

Hmmm. I wonder.

Yaga Philipe · Jun 26, 2007, 05:57 PM // 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by icymanipulator

You know what, you are right I don't get it.

I don't get why cracker, whitey, ofay etc. are acceptable and negro is not.
I don't get why other far deadlier pandemics/diseases are acceptable and AIDS is not.
I don't get why names like:
Kunt Puncher
Gaping Va Gi Na
Incest Is The Best
My Sistr The Fistr
The Red Ragger
Muffdiver Survivor
Fist Full Of Crisco
Kum Swap Queen

and yet this is not:
Snype has A I D S

Unless of course its BS politically correct hypocrisy.

I find it funny that african americans call white people stuff but when we call them stuff, they get all mad.

Anyways, I've never had a character banned, i think of funny names that aren't crude or anything.

Code=007 · Jun 26, 2007, 05:57 PM // 17:57

well that's just how the world spins

WinterSnowblind · Jun 26, 2007, 06:10 PM // 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by icymanipulator

You know what, you are right I don't get it.

I don't get why cracker, whitey, ofay etc. are acceptable and negro is not.
I don't get why other far deadlier pandemics/diseases are acceptable and AIDS is not.
I don't get why names like:
Kunt Puncher
Gaping Va Gi Na
Incest Is The Best
My Sistr The Fistr
The Red Ragger
Muffdiver Survivor
Fist Full Of Crisco
Kum Swap Queen

and yet this is not:
Snype has A I D S

Unless of course its BS politically correct hypocrisy.

Who said those names were acceptable? The mods can't go around checking everyone, can they? Chances are, a few people reported the topic creator because they were offended by his name, if the names you posted were reported as well, I guarantee they would be removed.

I'm not saying I disagree with you, but I don't see what the big fuss is about here, even if you don't want to view it as offensive, it's certainly inapropriate. Common sense should have told you not to use a name poking fun about AIDS, it was bound to offend someone.

icymanipulator · Jun 26, 2007, 06:17 PM // 18:17

Common sense also tells me names that use cracker, whitey, or any other racially derogatory terms should receive fair, equal, and balanced treatment. Along with any other particularly painful or deadly diseases or pathogens.

Trying to create a character with "negro" is flat out not allowed. The same should apply for any other provocative or racially charged words regardless of whether or not they have a common usage. Its a double standard, period.

Series · Jun 26, 2007, 06:21 PM // 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcanemacabre

Series, you need to step out of your own mind, and realize there is a whole world out there of other people that don't think like you. The problem with society is not that people are easily offended, it's what people are capable of if given the avenue to project their intolerance of others. Why do you think he chose "A I D S" to be included in his name instead of "Influenza" or something? Was it just the first illness he could think of? Just something random he pulled out of a hat? Or do you suppose it was for shock value, knowing that at least a handful of people out there are going to see it and be disgusted, making his smile just a little bigger?

People are only truly offended when they know it's not just affecting them alone. If you took someone suffering from some odd or unknown disease and made some joke about it to their face, they may be a little depressed or find it amusing, but I guarantee they wouldn't be offended (unless they can relate it to another disease like it). They can't relate it to anyone else's plight, and will see it as a more personal thing. It may be embarrassing, depressing, or aggravating, but not offensive in any way.

Trust me, I used to think like you. I, personally don't find much of anything offensive, but that's just me. I realize that there are people out there who do, and not respecting them is much like ripping your car through someone's yard and doing donuts simply because you don't personally believe in property ownership. Respecting other's values is an important skill for a thriving society. It's called empathy. It's something that, of all people or groups, companies in a capitalist society need to understand and use if they plan on succeeding.

Free speech is fine and dandy for us regular joes (though try to avoid slander and plagiarism), but you just have to understand that the smartest move for Anet is to cater to the easily offended - or look like the anarchist bad guys among the "good society".

How about you step off of your politically correct high horse and realize that well, you are wrong. The fact of the matter is, his name did NOT violate any part of the license agreement and therefore does not deserve a ban. People do not have a right to not be offended, they do have a right to grow some skin and stop getting offended over idiotic things in an online GAME. I guarantee you I can go to every major city in the game and find at least one name that I can find offensive.

But will I let it bother me?

No.

Should they be banned because I personally find their name offensive?

No.