No mocking, just superficial jest. The point is, that it was never really quantified and in itself is an issue. For example, can I ask for clarification for the site members who have remained loyal and since joined as to why the loss 6 or so former female posters is used as a key reason for the current swear filter?
I ask in the context of the 1870 current site members. 6 out of 1870. It has been explained that they didn't like language etc, but why is the weighting Of such a fraction of a minority held in such high regards and is it for any other reason that they happen to be female? I would have though through normal attrition that the loss of 6 posters of any gender for such specific reasons is a natural attrition rate on any forum.
The swear filter has been in place since OER started way back in 2004. We have in recent times strongly enforced the barring of the C-word with an 48-hr suspension as a few people had/have continually resorted to using variations of it in their posts, including deliberately mis-spelling it, to avoid the swear filter. Aside from that there's been little change in 11 years to the swear filter.
If it was simply down to natural attrition, it would be offset by some new female posters joining which isn't happening. Six posters may not seem a lot but they were formerly regular posters here and when a whole gender virtually stops posting, in what was a short period of time, then it's a concern. As WP stated, "the intended or not derogatory/disparaging/sexist comments about women posted by some on here are highly offensive. At least the swear filter tones it down a bit. Not enough but a bit".
Was going to mention that it seems strange to use the loss of half-a-dozen females as excuses but no mention of the amount of males lost on this forum? A lot of good long term posters are gone for various reasons but no inquiry as to why? I know some seem a little put off by the apparent preference to certain groups within this forum
We've acknowledged numerous times previously that we've lost a number of good posters which obviously includes a number of very good male posters as well. A number of them got turned off continually wading through multiple ruined footy threads filled with childish crap & smut, abuse, sniping, baiting, etc and the inevitable responses and retaliation that would go on for page after page that had nothing to do with the thread topic. It was one of the main reasons why we brought in the 3-strikes policy to try and restore some balance. After all, as WP also stated, we have a responsibility to make this forum a place where everyone feels welcome.
