Right now, the Internet needs your help to survive

theverge.com

13 points·rgtk··4 comments

I'd love to share this article with family and friends, but words like "cluster$%^&" tarnish it. While the base demo of Verge doesn't mind, and some would call it prudish to worry about such things, it debases arguments for many whose vocabulary isn't made up of such profanity.

I've seen this more and more with these types of call-to-action letters. An otherwise passionately argued article ready to share, but then the f-bombs start flying.

Say what you mean. Anyone offended by profanity will be just as offended by quasi-censored versions of same.

The American press baffles me with their inability to quote people swearing. You say something as simple and direct as "My service provider treats me like shit" and the New York Times bends over backwards to avoid dropping the four letter word at the end.

> Say what you mean

Which you can do with or without profanity.

> Anyone offended by profanity will be just as offended by quasi-censored versions of same.

I can't imagine why this would be the case and anecdotal it has not been the case with anyone I known (including those offended by profanity).

When you're talking about profanity, or quoting someone who's being profane, either put it in there, verbatim, or omit it.

Does quoting "That's f*cked" really put people's minds at ease? Seriously? This is as ridiculous as the Japanese censorship bars covering 0.1% of an otherwise outrageously pornographic image.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com