Regarding the phrase "gelfs"

[Gideon_Slack]

Originally Posted by Kyrottimus

+1

People can be mean, it's true, but most pragmatists shrug it off, move on with things rather than pulling a:

http://www.esquire.com/cm/esquire/im...g-58824159.jpg

...over every little potentially contentious thing.

Watch this video and honestly tell me: is it okay for someone to be subjected to that kind of abuse in a video game?

[Yttrium]

Originally Posted by Kyrottimus

I haven't the tongue for sensitivity, but I do have the skin for insult; I would hope more people would quit being so easily offended, stand tall and proud of who you are in spite of words and in defiance of ignorance.

I think you're missing the point. Are you saying that since you have thick skin and you are impervious to insulting language, everyone should just adopt your strategy and be like you?

The point is that when people use the word gay to mean bad and it goes unchallenged, it implies that the group accepts that gay equals bad. For any gay people listening in, this is not very welcoming.

You haven't the tongue for sensitivity? To me, that sounds like you can't be bothered to consider changing one word of your vocabulary to spare the feelings of a large number of people. Does that mean you are lazy, uncaring or both?

http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Using-th...nappropriately

[Arafails]

Sweet, let's stop using the word "gay" inappropriately. It means joyous. "Gay elves" are simply very happy. Yay.

[Kyrottimus]

Originally Posted by cugel

I think you're missing the point. Are you saying that since you have thick skin and you are impervious to insulting language, everyone should just adopt your strategy and be like you?

No. I'm simply suggesting that they adapt. That's what all organisms do to survive and function to their environment, right? Fight or flight? Adaptive radiation....Darwinian and Wallaceonian schools of traits and their applicability to their environments and so forth. Strong people tend to persevere in spite of hardships. This is part of the human condition.

And I think bullies should be stood against and if possible dissuaded and/or punished if they go too far. But the last thing we need is the thought police running around, trying to force a perception which does not apply to everyone's thinking patterns when people are not specifically trying to intimidate or be mean to anyone.

Food for thought: The word "Government" is rooted from the Latin governus mente, or "to control the mind."

Originally Posted by cugel

You haven't the tongue for sensitivity? To me, that sounds like you can't be bothered to consider changing one word of your vocabulary to spare the feelings of a large number of people. Does that mean you are lazy, uncaring or both?

A little of both maybe, but I'd lean closer to uncompromising than anything. With a name like "cugel" (it's spelled "cudgel," btw), I figured you'd be a little more accommodating to someone as blunt as myself.

My point is that I am not looking to insult anyone, but if by my passive speech I somehow do it, my bad, but seriously this world will never be some sort of utopia where everyone holds hands and sings Kumbaya around campfires. People can try to change, and if they do, good on them. I'm aware that some things are considered taboo, newly or otherwise. But seriously, "gelf"? Much ado about nothing.

I don't go looking to harm anyone but I'm not about to be made guilty for having a colloquial preference in my speech or opinions. Take it or leave it, but there are a lot more like me in this word. I am not looking to harm anyone but I'm not very politically correct either (good thing since I am not a politician nor ever plan on being one--a blessing, really).

For the record, I put myself between a lot of bullies and their targets while growing up, so I've had my share of being targeted by them (which is a foregone conclusion when standing up to them). There is a difference between people looking to harm others, and those in passing conversation with no such intention.

Words can hurt, this I agree, but if someone is looking to hurt others it's not too hard to press the right buttons. But some people honestly aren't thinking hostilely while speaking and should not be made guilty for a non-intentional word or phrase which a few might take out of context or intent which has other context or intent.

It's the same with the motherboard / mainboard argument; like the word "motherboard" is somehow sexist or derogatory. Personally I hold the position of mothers to be a coveted and sacred one.

It all boils down to thinking how everyone wishes; after all, that is what Free Will is. But I'll be damned before I let anyone dictate to me how I should custom-tailor my words; no one else should custom tailor their own. That is the crux of what it means to be uncompromising. If someone doesn't like the words I have to say, /ignore me and go about your business.

I'm not in this life or this game to play popularity contest.

/me shrugs

Watch this video and honestly tell me: is it okay for someone to be subjected to that kind of abuse in a video game?

Mute the player. In the grand scheme I think ALL games should have an /ignore feature. It works for more than just the gay-bashers out there. All of the racists, sexists, et.al can be rendered mute or ignore the player if the game has that option (which all online games should, IMO).

Unfortunately people are mostly cruel, and in real life, in person, there is no /ignore feature. Those kinds of bullies are generally best handled differently, but I leave it up to each individual to STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES as any person, of any walk of life, should do. That's dignity. That's integrity.

I applaud any and everyone for sharing their opinions, but be warned; you're wasting your breath if any attempt is made to lay a guilt trip upon me or for my stance. You'd best save your breath to cool your porridge.

If anyone thinks they'll lump me in with these bullies or those who condone them, you are sorely mistaken. I've endured worse than mere hostile-intended words, and I'm still here, and still me. If those Neanderthals from my youth couldn't change me, certainly some impromptu intervention / sensitivity seminar won't.

Good day to you sir.

Originally Posted by Arafails

Sweet, let's stop using the word "gay" inappropriately. It means joyous. "Gay elves" are simply very happy. Yay.

"And there was much rejoicing......yay....."

[Arafails]

Originally Posted by Kyrottimus

...
Food for thought: The word "Government" is rooted from the Latin governus mente, or "to control the mind."
...

That's a very strange Latin vocabulary you have there. It contains words that don't exist. I think you'll find that its Latin root is actually "gubernatio" meaning "helm" or "pilot"....

The Latin for "to control the mind" would be "tempero mentis"

[PMP]

Call me naive, but I thought Gelfs is referring to Green Elves as a differentiation to Dark Elves.

[Shiriki]

This is taking a lot of time...
Let's do this:
grelfs: green elves
gaelfs: gay elves

If some straight jerk (that has serious complex with homosexuality) uses the word "gay" as an insult, let's just ignore him.
We all know that everywhere we go, there will always be people like that. Not everybody likes the gays. But that's not a problem! This is a videogame! You can kill him anyways^^

[mr_scsi]

I think this whole thread should be closed, its just gotten sillier. Remember you DON"T have the right to not be offended.

Originally Posted by PMP

Call me naive, but I thought Gelfs is referring to Green Elves as a differentiation to Dark Elves.

Now, if someone (not me) were sensitive to this sort of thing, this could be way more offensive. People get touchy about a distinction in skin tone. Again, not me. I'm just trying to make my point about how way beyond sane this has gotten.

Can't we all just ignore the small minded idiots and have fun? Live and let live, well unless they are syrtis or alsius then, kill 'em all and let the devs sort them out.

[Hamster_of_sorrow]

Originally Posted by mr_scsi

Live and let live, well unless they are syrtis or alsius then, kill 'em all and let the devs sort them out.

AMEN to that!!!

[Mbwana]

Originally Posted by mr_scsi

Live and let live, well unless they are syrtis or ignis then, kill 'em all and let the devs sort them out.

fixed