"Cancer" isn't a TOS moddable term on Gamefaqs

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3. "Cancer" as an offensive term.

AbsOfAbacus 19 hours ago#1 There has to be an adjustment in policy, regarding this. Now, before you link me a secondary definition in some Online Dictionary, I will tell you that is not a satisfactory rationale to allow it. The etymology/history of the term clearly makes the disease synonymous with that definition. It's a metaphor, and an offensive one at that. If I were to say that a particular board/topic/user was AIDS - and went on to describe that I was not referring to the illness but the negative way in which they affect the subject - it wouldn't be stood for. It's a term always used to offend. Show some respect to those suffering from Cancer and their families by taking a firmer stance on this. Thanks. "You Can Always Count On Me" - Abacus AmIRighta.

Error1355 (Lead Moderator)14 hours ago#2 If someone is actually using the illness to insult, that's offensive. Using cancer appropriately to describe something that is having a negative effect on something is not offensive. This is a case where a word has two meanings and context is what makes it offensive or not. Someone saying something like "racism is a cancer on society" is not using cancer, the illness, to mock or insult others and thus not offensive. This life is just a game we play, that we can never win.  But don't give up, no don't give up. (edited 14 hours ago)

AbsOfAbacus (Topic Creator)14 hours ago#3 Academic dictionaries do not give this meaning a separate definition. It is the figurative of the Disease. The second definition being the constellation.  Therefore, the connotation persists. In reality, it's just used as ammunition to rile.  "Shotguns are cancer!", "Shotguns are ruining the game", "Shotguns are overpowered". Of those Topic titles, we know which is intended to troll. Putting the disease aside, referring to other users or a particular game as "Cancer" is most definitely offensive. If I were to call you such. Would you believe I was making a commentary on your personality or insulting you?  There are certain Scientific, Anthropological terms I could use to refer to members of a particular race. However, I am aware that doing so is unnecessary language - likely to cause distress. Therefore, I do not use it. The way in which the term cancer is wielded with such vitriol is disgusting on the Boards. As someone who lost somebody close to me to cancer, seeing that term thrown around in such a way is extremely painful. "You Can Always Count On Me" - Abacus AmIRighta.

Error1355 (Lead Moderator)10 hours ago#4 AbsOfAbacus posted... "Shotguns are cancer!", "Shotguns are ruining the game", "Shotguns are overpowered". All three titles mean the same thing, all three titles are fine to post. The internet is far from the only place where you will see 'cancer' be used as a description like this as well. It is simply not offensive to use in this manner. The rule is you can not post something that would be inappropriate in a school or work environment. If I went to my boss and said "This co-worker is a cancer to our morale due to how he acts towards us" it is not going to get me in trouble. This life is just a game we play, that we can never win.  But don't give up, no don't give up. (edited 10 hours ago)

1. Boards
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3. "Cancer" as an offensive term.