# Moderation of inappropriate sexual commentary **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 6, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626 "2013-05-06T15:55:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/301 "2013-05-07T01:30:50Z")
> [@nashiitashii](#): > > Okay, so let’s put forth a few scenarios. Which ones are appropriate moments for jokes and bon mots to you? > [ul] > [li]An announcement of someone’s death[/li][li]An inquiry about a product[/li][li]An inquiry about a male-specific product[/li][li]An inquiry about a female-specific product[/li][li]A news item that might include nudity but no sexual behavior[/li][li]Cancer of an area commonly known to be a “sexual” area (breasts, genitals, etc.)[/li][li]A thread asking for input re: a medical condition[/li][/ul] > > Some posters have decided that no thread in MPSIMS is complete without some joke or bon mot-- at least the ones where we’re not doing it out of respect for the dead. I know that occasionally, folks can be really obtuse, but I do have to question one’s ability to deal with social situations if one can’t decide that it might be inappropriate to come in with a one-liner on certain threads. This isn’t about women stomping on your right to be whatever it is you think you want to represent, but people being able to speak in a forum without being dismissed as hysterical, histrionic or poorly informed on a topic. I’d like to occasionally talk about things that might inspire some joking without a topic getting derailed; because of an increasing number of folks who are boneheaded about when and where to be jokers, I’ve been really reluctant to talk about certain things involving my own anatomy. You are SO missing the point. I bet I’d _agree_ with you near 100% on what is funny or appropriate or not. The question is what to do about it, if anything. I am generally against rules that are fuzzy. Mainly because we already have enough of them. By their very nature, jokes and one-liners are going to have merit or not very subjectively. This is a problem with them that they cannot be separated from. It’s a problem in every forum. Though I’d offer that if I wanted to have a serious discussion about my anatomy I’d probably post it in General Questions. People there are pretty good about staying on point. Great Debates would probably be next. Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share? Not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/302 "2013-05-07T01:31:38Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > You think the OP had anything to say about this quote of yours? Do you? If not, then you’re more than welcome to ignore my well-intentioned advice. > [@](#): > > Then why did you tell everyone that disagrees with your opinion of gross humor to use a different board? Because I’d appreciate it if they do so. Also they seem terribly upset by the idea that they might get a mod note if they make one of their gross jokes; it’s a suggestion for avoiding that horrifying fate. > [@](#): > > One the one hand you think your opinion is important enough to dictate where people post and at the same time you think your opinion is not that important. > > It seems like the problem you are having is recognizing that different people can have different opinions, and just leave it at that. Not at all, but I’ve explained that to you, and I’m glad to clear that up for you. Of course, it may make you feel better to keep insisting that I’m flashing my fake-o badge around, so if that’s your cuppa, ride on cowboy. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/303 "2013-05-07T01:31:57Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > Good news! Sex jokes are not moderation fodder. You can start a whole thread called “Tell me your favorite jokes about sex” and be in the clear. I think I will. Would that be Cafe Society? ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/304 "2013-05-07T01:32:35Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Serious posts/questions can be posted anywhere. And…? ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/305 "2013-05-07T01:33:23Z")
n/m ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/306 "2013-05-07T01:33:46Z")
> [@nashiitashii](#): > > Okay, so let’s put forth a few scenarios. Which ones are appropriate moments for jokes and bon mots to you? > [ul] > [li]An announcement of someone’s death[/li][li]Cancer of an area commonly known to be a “sexual” area (breasts, genitals, etc.)[/li][li]A thread asking for input re: a medical condition[/li][/ul] > > Some posters have decided that no thread in MPSIMS is complete without some joke or bon mot-- at least the ones where we’re not doing it out of respect for the dead. I know that occasionally, folks can be really obtuse, but I do have to question one’s ability to deal with social situations if one can’t decide that it might be inappropriate to come in with a one-liner on certain threads. I’ve removed a few options where you’re right that jokes/bon mots happen. But can you give a few cites for some of the others? Especially the “cancer” one? I keep hearing that incident but I’ll be damned if I can find any thread where someone was talking about breast cancer and “boobie” jokes started cropping up. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/307 "2013-05-07T01:33:57Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > I am generally against rules that are fuzzy. And this is a genuine philosophical difference. For laws, we need specificity. For messageboards, I far prefer judgment calls. That way I can choose a board based on the judgment of the moderators. If I think they’re morons, I’ll go elsewhere. If I think they’re good judges, I’ll hang around. The specificity of the guidelines in the OP would, in my ideal world, go away, and people could complain to their heart’s content about the lack of specificity. But I understand that’s not how everyone works. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/308 "2013-05-07T01:34:26Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > I think I will. Would that be Cafe Society? I believe MPSIMS usually gets the joke thread. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/309 "2013-05-07T01:35:07Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > People are spinning elaborate scenarios about what’s going to happen, what these new guidelines mean. I don’t think I’ve spun any elaborate scenarios. I’ve asked about concrete examples of past board activity. > [@](#): > > Remember, if you choose to post on a moderated board, you have to accept that the moderators have the power to set standards of behavior. Again I have to wonder about the impulse behind such a comment. Why do you feel the need to say this? Had anyone made any kind of assertion that the board administration cannot make and enforce rules? Why state the obvious especially when the entire basis of this conversation assumes the truth of this? Do you just not want people to discuss the matter? Do you just want the dissent to stop? I mean obviously at some point people will start getting bored of discussing it or run out of things to say. What is the point of this kind of plea to just stop talking about it. ---
**Author:** ![R3d\_Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aeb1de/32.png) [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/310 "2013-05-07T01:37:05Z")
> [@Tequila\_Party](#): > > If you feel the need to discuss body issues about yourself, is that really something for Great Debates? I also understand that General Questions are for factual answers only, right? That only leaves MPSIMS and IMHO and what if you’re not trying to solicit opinions so much as aiming for support? Nah, IMHO is for opinions _and_ advice/support. MPSIMS is just for spouting random crap. ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/311 "2013-05-07T01:37:53Z")
Great change. Like any moderation, theres always going to be fears it will be overdone, underdone, etc etc. Otara ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/312 "2013-05-07T01:38:29Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > And this is a genuine philosophical difference. For laws, we need specificity. For messageboards, I far prefer judgment calls. That way I can choose a board based on the judgment of the moderators. If I think they’re morons, I’ll go elsewhere. If I think they’re good judges, I’ll hang around. > > The specificity of the guidelines in the OP would, in my ideal world, go away, and people could complain to their heart’s content about the lack of specificity. But I understand that’s not how everyone works. It is unsurprising that someone who is in the majority opinion would favor “judgement calls”. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/313 "2013-05-07T01:38:33Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I think you did miss an announcement. Check the OP. Happens that announcement pleases me, aligns pretty well with my opinion. > > No, I’m not the SDMB content censor, and if you think that’s relevant, well, that’s your personal issue. It’s laughably off-base and irrelevant, though. And no, my opinion isn’t so important. Nor is yours. > > But I’m happy with this change, and I’d like to see it go further, and I’ll argue for it, even if you and several other people think it’s a devastating rebuttal to ask to see my badge every time I argue in defense of the change. It’s not your taking a position that is drawing this response. It’s your use of phrasing that implies that you are the one empowered to make the decisions and to tell people to bugger off. ---
**Author:** ![R3d\_Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aeb1de/32.png) [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/314 "2013-05-07T01:40:21Z")
Wow, you guys are posting so quickly. I am rather impressed. I make a post, pause for a minute and then refresh, and there are like three more posts after mine. Never seen such rapid posting, at least not this consistently (this isn’t the first time it happened). ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/315 "2013-05-07T01:40:24Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > I’ve removed a few options where you’re right that jokes/bon mots happen. But can you give a few cites for some of the others? Especially the “cancer” one? I keep hearing that incident but I’ll be damned if I can find any thread where someone was talking about breast cancer and “boobie” jokes started cropping up. I mixed them together because I don’t feel that jokes are the automatic response to any of those scenarios? ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/316 "2013-05-07T01:41:11Z")
My way of viewing it is more that no matter how much noise and imagined scenarios are invoked or fretted over, we’re going to have to see how it works out in practise. If it helps you to make that noise, go for it. But the above will still apply. Otara ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/317 "2013-05-07T01:41:44Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Context, context, context is everything here and always has been. And that includes postings that are found to be humorous, postings that only a few people find humorous, and postings that only the poster finds humorous. 100% agreement. Which points to these new rules being, at best, unnecessary. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/318 "2013-05-07T01:42:08Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Because I’d appreciate it if they do so. Okay, fair enough. Can everyone please not post any gross humor? **Left Hand of Dorkness** doesn’t like it and she would prefer you to post on another board. ---
**Author:** ![R3d\_Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aeb1de/32.png) [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/319 "2013-05-07T01:42:34Z")
And…it happens again. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626/320 "2013-05-07T01:42:44Z")
> [@Anonymous User](#): > > Nah, IMHO is for opinions _and_ advice/support. MPSIMS is just for spouting random crap. Well, when something bad/good happens and I want to share, I don’t really want advice on the matter, which usually makes IMHO inappropriate unless I’m actively seeking opinions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderation-of-inappropriate-sexual-commentary/657626.md?page=17)