Don't believe me? Go to your profile and check. You are now operating under "Minimal Filtering."
What's minimal filtering, you ask?
Simple, really.
You're not allowed to say the scientifically and politically correct term for "An adult who is sexually attracted to children."
That's right. You're not allowed to say pedophile.
Go ahead and try.
(I can, because I cheated. Which could get me banned. But if Gaia is going to ban me for this, then good riddance. I'll miss you guys, but at that point things are too ridiculous for me to stick around, anyway.)
What could possibly be the point of this?
Well, let's ask Lanzer. Lanzer, what in god's name are you thinking?
Lanzer
Hello everyone:
With regards to today's update, along with bug fixes, we also added a word filter to make Gaia safer. The word filter blocks the "p" word from being used, and it's a change that only cover this one aspect, which we realized that we needed to be more proactive in terms of restricting.
We are sorry that the word filter might cause problems for people who have legitimate conversations about the topic, and that the word filter isn't the complete solution to making Gaia safer. It's a choice that we made in response to following best practices for being a safe community.
Much similar to following the COPPA guideline and restricting users under the age of 13, these measures aren't exactly what we love enforcing. Given it our way, we would have no restrictions what so ever. Though in a world that is less than perfect, there are those who actually go out of their ways to harm others. As a result, we have to install a number of measures that are our best effort in trying to make Gaia a safer place for everyone.
Thank you for your understanding. And sorry for all the inconvenience this is causing.
PS -
The filter does act against the principle of free speech, just like how we do not allow racist comments, hate crime, or support of criminal activities on Gaia. The difference is that this particular issue is of an important enough level where a) it's an issue that can potentially bring the site down, and b) we need to make a stronger statement for those people who are involved in such activities to stay away from Gaia (you know who you are). So we are enforcing it on a tougher matter, not as a solution, but as a statement. This will be the one and only word/topic that we're having such a tough stance on.
These issues about predators seem like prime time TV material that's just another reporter's topic until the day authorities came to us about it happening on Gaia. It troubles me to no end thinking that I created a site which end up getting people hurt, and I need to take the responsibility of such events in one form or another. Legal advisers and safety groups were consulted, and this word filtering is the result of the many consultation and many hours of debates.
Again, I'm here to hear everyone's concerns and feedback. I cannot claim that I'm doing the right thing 100% of the time, so listening to your feedback is still very important at this point.
With regards to today's update, along with bug fixes, we also added a word filter to make Gaia safer. The word filter blocks the "p" word from being used, and it's a change that only cover this one aspect, which we realized that we needed to be more proactive in terms of restricting.
We are sorry that the word filter might cause problems for people who have legitimate conversations about the topic, and that the word filter isn't the complete solution to making Gaia safer. It's a choice that we made in response to following best practices for being a safe community.
Much similar to following the COPPA guideline and restricting users under the age of 13, these measures aren't exactly what we love enforcing. Given it our way, we would have no restrictions what so ever. Though in a world that is less than perfect, there are those who actually go out of their ways to harm others. As a result, we have to install a number of measures that are our best effort in trying to make Gaia a safer place for everyone.
Thank you for your understanding. And sorry for all the inconvenience this is causing.
PS -
The filter does act against the principle of free speech, just like how we do not allow racist comments, hate crime, or support of criminal activities on Gaia. The difference is that this particular issue is of an important enough level where a) it's an issue that can potentially bring the site down, and b) we need to make a stronger statement for those people who are involved in such activities to stay away from Gaia (you know who you are). So we are enforcing it on a tougher matter, not as a solution, but as a statement. This will be the one and only word/topic that we're having such a tough stance on.
These issues about predators seem like prime time TV material that's just another reporter's topic until the day authorities came to us about it happening on Gaia. It troubles me to no end thinking that I created a site which end up getting people hurt, and I need to take the responsibility of such events in one form or another. Legal advisers and safety groups were consulted, and this word filtering is the result of the many consultation and many hours of debates.
Again, I'm here to hear everyone's concerns and feedback. I cannot claim that I'm doing the right thing 100% of the time, so listening to your feedback is still very important at this point.
Well, uh. That's great, but...
IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
All the words one needs to cyber with a minor are still available, and more.
It's like censoring the word "racist" but not the N-word.
I wouldn't be totally opposed to a mandatory word filter (except they DID kinda promise they wouldn't implement one). I'd like to see Gaia become a cleaner place.
But that's not what this is doing. It's not doing... anything.
Except pissing people off.
I think this pic sums it up pretty well:
