Comments on: Is Profanity Acceptable In Blogging?

By: kyudo

kyudo — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:47:16 +0000

I think it would kind of entertaining to have an seo blog with tons of profanity. It would ad an interesting twist no one has really done

By: Justin Airsoft

Justin Airsoft — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:38:22 +0000

You’re right that profanity wouldn’t go in an SEO article, ha ha. I look forward to your book, however, as anything that has as much gruesomeness as you infer must be looked at.

By: Revellian

Revellian — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:17:21 +0000

@Kerry: Sounds like a plan to me!

@Epoxy: Honestly–nothing offends me.

@Ana: I’ve yet to understand the moral stance of American television. All shows on basic cable are heavily censored to protect the sensibilities of our youth which is ridiculous–whereas all the premium channels (HBO, Showtime, etc.) are filled with profanity, horrific violence and soft porn–and every child in America not only watches it, what they learn on America’s playgrounds is 1000 times worse . . . LOL!!!

By: Anastasia

Anastasia — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 02:55:00 +0000

I’m more lenient with profanity if it doesn’t appear every five seconds. A friend of mine was signed up to cable here years ago, and I thought ‘great I can watch Jerry Springer without the bleeps!’ but it was -to my disappointment, censored.
The Sopranos is classic, but in that type of environment/underworld society, profanity is appropriate.
I’m more uncomfortable when profanity is blurted out of the blue, in a work environment, or among people I’m not familiar with at unpredictable moments. I’ve been guilty of swearing, especially at work due to disagreements and in meetings when people have tried to avoid an issue or have badgered me, but when a complete stranger has a tirade, for something that is ordinary (like it’s a normal part of their conversation), it tweaks me the wrong way

By: The Epoxy Floor Professional

The Epoxy Floor Professional — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:30:19 +0000

I haven’t read through all the comments, but I think some profanity here and there would be just fine, if used in the right context. Profanity laced tirades probably wouldn’t fit that bill, but I can think of many stories that wouldn’t carry the same weight if a little profanity wasn’t thrown in…

By: kerry

kerry — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:33:55 +0000

Isn’t one of the true joys of the medium the ability for all of us to speak our minds? I vote for everyone to say what they want, when they want, how they want.

By: Miss Moneypenny

Miss Moneypenny — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 04:17:17 +0000

Hi Bobby! and Hi Dan!

You 2 are cracking me up!

Is that Bobby Einstein’s Theory of Relative Profanity? Where E=mc2 is Evil words = Malevolent inclination X the speed of Cursing squared.

Putting my politically incorrect humor aside, both you and Dan have made valid points about the use, overuse, and abuse of using profanity. Since most readers don’t comment on Blogs, the unknown variable here is how does any online writer know whether the use, overuse, or abuse of profanity drives their readers away or leaves their readers begging for more dirty details?

By: Revellian

Revellian — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:52:23 +0000

@Dan: Hi Dan! Well, isn’t it all relative? In a situation where a horde of crackhead rapists, who eat from trash cans and live sheathed in stink, cursing is normal and not meant for shock value – depicting accuracy and their reality. To sugarcoat it would lessen reality. What is horrific and repulsive to one is daily life to another. If I curse, it is on purpose but only happens naturally as a result of that purpose. My favorite parts on The Sopranos was the foul language – it cracked me up, especially when Tony disgustingly cursed at his children…lol!

@Dover: Indeed, I have friends you simply can’t be seen with in public. I have family members who cannot be trusted to speak cleanly in a nursery full of 5 year old kids…haha!

@B.Durant: If I have profanity or other repugnant writing, it has nothing to do with my own personal values.

@Augie: To some people it is reactionary language; to others, it’s normal and like curtains on your windows – it’s just there. With all I’ve seen in life, very little offends me unless it actually affects me personally.

By: Augie

Augie — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:13:25 +0000

I think of profanity as reactionary language. Language that is used because you don’t have time to think of a better way of expressing your thoughts. It’s also a language of passion, but I think I would still send that back to my first point and say that the passionate one uses profanity because their passion is quick to words.

In fiction, I think the use of profanity is useful in character to express passionate reaction. It can be used to make a character more human or to build a “bad” character as well. I suppose it makes my skin crawl the same was as it would in real life. F, the F’ing F’ers… is a big much, though.

By: B. Durant

B. Durant — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:07:13 +0000

I’d say it depends on your audience largely and of course your own personal values will dictate ultimately if profanity is ok.