New Rule: Replace the Word "Lynch" in Games

This forum is for Administrators to post news concerning the site and forums.
Locked
User avatar
zoraster
zoraster
He/Him
Disorganized Crime
User avatar
User avatar
zoraster
He/Him
Disorganized Crime
Disorganized Crime
Posts: 21680
Joined: June 10, 2008
Pronoun: He/Him
Location: Belmont, CA

New Rule: Replace the Word "Lynch" in Games

Post Post #0 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:03 am

Post by zoraster »

Rule on Replacing the Word "Lynch"The List Moderators and Administration would like to announce a change in specific language used for mafia games. This is a change that should have taken place long ago but, due to inertia and a sense of tradition, we did not. Better late than never.

Game moderators will no longer be allowed to use the term "lynch"
due to a harshly racial history of the word in the US. We are also working to remove the noose from the logo and other site aesthetics as well as update the wiki.

For official site and moderator communications, use a verb or noun other than "lynch". We propose "
eliminate
" to be the new general use term, but if you have another term you would prefer using that is also acceptable. While it will not be a punishable offense for players to use the old term, moderators must use "eliminate" (or any suitable new term) in rules posts / vote counts / et cetera, and are encouraged to make players aware of the change when applicable.

How This Affects You


For currently running games
: you can run your game out with the flavor you are currently using.

For mods
: you must use a verb or noun other than "lynch" for your rules and for moderator communications. If it is in your current ruleset, change it.

For players
: we encourage players to use alternate words such as eliminate as well, but we will not be policing the use. Game moderators are welcome to set up their own rules on the subject.

For everyone: As with the Discussion of Replacements rule, we intend to be very lenient about this for the near-term, given that it's been site vernacular for 18 years. You will never be banned from mafia specifically for using this term. As a moderator, if you repeatedly refuse to change it after being told to by a Listmod, there will be consequences. Our intention is to disassociate this term from mafia. We hope that by changing the official stance of the site on the term we can help to change this norm. As it stands, we do not want the administration or moderators to endorse this term.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Zor & The List Mod team


EDIT: As of 7/14/2021 this also includes players (see here)
.
User avatar
T-Bone
T-Bone
He/Him
A Cut Above
User avatar
User avatar
T-Bone
He/Him
A Cut Above
A Cut Above
Posts: 9041
Joined: February 18, 2011
Pronoun: He/Him
Location: Shrug City
Contact:

Post Post #1 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:10 am

Post by T-Bone »

If after reading this you'd like to help in the Wiki portion of the project, I have asked for volunteers here. viewtopic.php?f=135&t=83526

If you cannot read it, go to your usergroup settings and add Wiki Tiki Tavi to your usergroups. It is an open usergroup that anyone can join.
My Top 40 Alt Songs of the Year!

"Playing in a Newbie game doesn't count" ~ PenguinPower, Feb 2019
User avatar
DkKoba
DkKoba
They/Them
Survivor
User avatar
User avatar
DkKoba
They/Them
Survivor
Survivor
Posts: 20624
Joined: January 28, 2020
Pronoun: They/Them

Post Post #2 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:11 am

Post by DkKoba »

I suggest the word "hang" as a replacement.
retired
"1 thing I will give you Dk, I think you are very good at manipulating. I don't mean that in a bad way, I just think you [have] this way with yourself. You know what to say and when to say [it]." ~VFP
"Koba doesn't really have a scumrange/townrange, Koba will kill your pet cat to win a game" ~Pooky
User avatar
Equinox
Equinox
he/they
Shot Count
User avatar
User avatar
Equinox
he/they
Shot Count
Shot Count
Posts: 10105
Joined: April 12, 2010
Pronoun: he/they
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Post Post #3 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:15 am

Post by Equinox »

In post 2, DkKoba wrote:I suggest the word "hang" as a replacement.
This is not to step on the list moderators' toes, as I am posting as a user right now: hanging is a notorious means of lynching, so it will carry the same racially charged connotation.
User avatar
brassherald
brassherald
he/him
Jack of All Trades
User avatar
User avatar
brassherald
he/him
Jack of All Trades
Jack of All Trades
Posts: 5176
Joined: December 21, 2017
Pronoun: he/him
Location: New York

Post Post #4 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:16 am

Post by brassherald »

Does it matter how we replace it? Specifically, does it even need to reference any type of death action?
I've only made one good post, and don't you dare accuse me of doing it again.
User avatar
zoraster
zoraster
He/Him
Disorganized Crime
User avatar
User avatar
zoraster
He/Him
Disorganized Crime
Disorganized Crime
Posts: 21680
Joined: June 10, 2008
Pronoun: He/Him
Location: Belmont, CA

Post Post #5 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:18 am

Post by zoraster »

Well, the suggested "eliminate" doesn't have a reference to a type of death action.
.
User avatar
brassherald
brassherald
he/him
Jack of All Trades
User avatar
User avatar
brassherald
he/him
Jack of All Trades
Jack of All Trades
Posts: 5176
Joined: December 21, 2017
Pronoun: he/him
Location: New York

Post Post #6 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:18 am

Post by brassherald »

In post 5, zoraster wrote:Well, the suggested "eliminate" doesn't have a reference to a type of death action.
I missed that part, my bad.
I've only made one good post, and don't you dare accuse me of doing it again.
User avatar
DkKoba
DkKoba
They/Them
Survivor
User avatar
User avatar
DkKoba
They/Them
Survivor
Survivor
Posts: 20624
Joined: January 28, 2020
Pronoun: They/Them

Post Post #7 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:20 am

Post by DkKoba »

In post 3, Equinox wrote:
In post 2, DkKoba wrote:I suggest the word "hang" as a replacement.
This is not to step on the list moderators' toes, as I am posting as a user right now: hanging is a notorious means of lynching, so it will carry the same racially charged connotation.
This is etymologically false but I won't pursue the discussion in thread, you can DM me if you'd like me to clarify.
retired
"1 thing I will give you Dk, I think you are very good at manipulating. I don't mean that in a bad way, I just think you [have] this way with yourself. You know what to say and when to say [it]." ~VFP
"Koba doesn't really have a scumrange/townrange, Koba will kill your pet cat to win a game" ~Pooky
User avatar
Nexus
Nexus
He
miss
User avatar
User avatar
Nexus
He
miss
miss
Posts: 6650
Joined: July 1, 2010
Pronoun: He
Location: UK Hun

Post Post #8 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:24 am

Post by Nexus »

In post 7, DkKoba wrote:
In post 3, Equinox wrote:
In post 2, DkKoba wrote:I suggest the word "hang" as a replacement.
This is not to step on the list moderators' toes, as I am posting as a user right now: hanging is a notorious means of lynching, so it will carry the same racially charged connotation.
This is etymologically false but I won't pursue the discussion in thread, you can DM me if you'd like me to clarify.
I mean, lynching is hanging from a rope. By changing it to hang, we're not actually moving away from the imagery, regardless of the etymology.
Trans rights are human rights.
User avatar
Alisae
Alisae
lolbalance
User avatar
User avatar
Alisae
lolbalance
lolbalance
Posts: 47090
Joined: October 31, 2016
Location: Cali~ (PST)

Post Post #9 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:26 am

Post by Alisae »

why eliminate instead of "died"

Zoraster has died. He was a Vanilla Townie.

done
GTKAS
| here.
User avatar
N
N
Jack of All Trades
User avatar
User avatar
N
Jack of All Trades
Jack of All Trades
Posts: 8539
Joined: August 2, 2012

Post Post #10 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:26 am

Post by N »

good work mods
GTKAS

Share And Enjoy
(go stick your head in a pig)
User avatar
Nexus
Nexus
He
miss
User avatar
User avatar
Nexus
He
miss
miss
Posts: 6650
Joined: July 1, 2010
Pronoun: He
Location: UK Hun

Post Post #11 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:27 am

Post by Nexus »

I think it's because Eliminate implies that the town have actively done it, whereas died could mean natural causes?
Trans rights are human rights.
User avatar
zoraster
zoraster
He/Him
Disorganized Crime
User avatar
User avatar
zoraster
He/Him
Disorganized Crime
Disorganized Crime
Posts: 21680
Joined: June 10, 2008
Pronoun: He/Him
Location: Belmont, CA

Post Post #12 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:27 am

Post by zoraster »

In post 9, Alisae wrote:why eliminate instead of "died"

Zoraster has died. He was a Vanilla Townie.

done
Perfectly fine too. The reason for eliminate is simply to differentiate it from the typical vigilante/mafia kill.
.
User avatar
Annadog40
Annadog40
Owl of the Night Chat
User avatar
User avatar
Annadog40
Owl of the Night Chat
Owl of the Night Chat
Posts: 786
Joined: May 2, 2015
Location: Arendelle
Contact:

Post Post #13 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:29 am

Post by Annadog40 »

Executed could be that difference since executions are public and varied

eliminate reminds me of using the bathroom.
Last edited by Annadog40 on Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
This is my life now

Once you have 100 posts, click here to go to the page to join the speakeasy group.
User avatar
Firebringer
Firebringer
Trail Blazer
User avatar
User avatar
Firebringer
Trail Blazer
Trail Blazer
Posts: 52501
Joined: June 28, 2015
Location: woofbringer
Contact:

Post Post #14 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:30 am

Post by Firebringer »

it aint april fools day lol
Show
"You are the Joker of mafia players" - Oversoul
"last time I was scum with Firebringer
his first post in the scum PT was "yes I rolled scum!"
I decided to post "haha just don't post that in the main thread", but to get up to date on the main thread first.

His first post in the main thread was "yes I rolled scum!" -popsofctown
User avatar
N
N
Jack of All Trades
User avatar
User avatar
N
Jack of All Trades
Jack of All Trades
Posts: 8539
Joined: August 2, 2012

Post Post #15 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:30 am

Post by N »

lol indeed
GTKAS

Share And Enjoy
(go stick your head in a pig)
User avatar
HoldenGolden
HoldenGolden
Mafia Scum
User avatar
User avatar
HoldenGolden
Mafia Scum
Mafia Scum
Posts: 2667
Joined: June 24, 2019

Post Post #16 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:32 am

Post by HoldenGolden »

An understandable change.

Could "Guillotined" replace the previous wording be a more suitable replacement? I dont believe the word as a specific connotation with any particular groups (expect the french), and is a distinctive enough flavour to not worry about any confusion from roles.
User avatar
HoldenGolden
HoldenGolden
Mafia Scum
User avatar
User avatar
HoldenGolden
Mafia Scum
Mafia Scum
Posts: 2667
Joined: June 24, 2019

Post Post #17 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:32 am

Post by HoldenGolden »

To be*

I swear I know basic english
User avatar
T-Bone
T-Bone
He/Him
A Cut Above
User avatar
User avatar
T-Bone
He/Him
A Cut Above
A Cut Above
Posts: 9041
Joined: February 18, 2011
Pronoun: He/Him
Location: Shrug City
Contact:

Post Post #18 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:35 am

Post by T-Bone »

In post 16, HoldenGolden wrote:An understandable change.

Could "Guillotined" replace the previous wording be a more suitable replacement? I dont believe the word as a specific connotation with any particular groups (expect the french), and is a distinctive enough flavour to not worry about any confusion from roles.
You can use an appropriate term to replace 'eliminate' in games you moderate. We're going to use 'eliminate' as the basic term, but if you want to use an alternate flavor term that isn't lynching (or otherwise breaks site rules), that is okay. The term you chose may also be charged depending on the country one lives in, so keep that in mind.
My Top 40 Alt Songs of the Year!

"Playing in a Newbie game doesn't count" ~ PenguinPower, Feb 2019
User avatar
Alisae
Alisae
lolbalance
User avatar
User avatar
Alisae
lolbalance
lolbalance
Posts: 47090
Joined: October 31, 2016
Location: Cali~ (PST)

Post Post #19 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:43 am

Post by Alisae »

Actually MU has its bot use eliminate instead of died.
meh i guess eliminate is fine

what about L-2 or L-1. Those terms technically have a meaning that includes the word lynch. Do we have to come up with a new term for this concept as well? Again, this matters to me because as a mod, I put in my votecounts when a player is at L-2 or L-1.

Also can't you censor the word on the board?
I'm pretty sure I would be okay censoring only the word "lynch" and nothing else because its a subtle censor that I don't feel like people would try to avoid it just to type their word.

Either way, I hate this change.
GTKAS
| here.
User avatar
HoldenGolden
HoldenGolden
Mafia Scum
User avatar
User avatar
HoldenGolden
Mafia Scum
Mafia Scum
Posts: 2667
Joined: June 24, 2019

Post Post #20 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:45 am

Post by HoldenGolden »

In post 18, T-Bone wrote:
In post 16, HoldenGolden wrote:An understandable change.

Could "Guillotined" replace the previous wording be a more suitable replacement? I dont believe the word as a specific connotation with any particular groups (expect the french), and is a distinctive enough flavour to not worry about any confusion from roles.
You can use an appropriate term to replace 'eliminate' in games you moderate. We're going to use 'eliminate' as the basic term, but if you want to use an alternate flavor term that isn't lynching (or otherwise breaks site rules), that is okay. The term you chose may also be charged depending on the country one lives in, so keep that in mind.
Ah gotcha.

That does raise a question though. Should the newbie queue enforce all games there to use the same verb, such as eliminate, to keep consistency? I would imagine seeing the same mechanic labelled differently may cause some confusion for truely new players.
User avatar
zoraster
zoraster
He/Him
Disorganized Crime
User avatar
User avatar
zoraster
He/Him
Disorganized Crime
Disorganized Crime
Posts: 21680
Joined: June 10, 2008
Pronoun: He/Him
Location: Belmont, CA

Post Post #21 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:47 am

Post by zoraster »

I'm not sure that the mods other than maybe Penguin with newbies have made any rules regarding Lylo, Mylo, L-X, etc. that are abbreviations for lynch yet, but specifically L-X is easily replaceable with E-X if you want to be consistent right now.
.
User avatar
T-Bone
T-Bone
He/Him
A Cut Above
User avatar
User avatar
T-Bone
He/Him
A Cut Above
A Cut Above
Posts: 9041
Joined: February 18, 2011
Pronoun: He/Him
Location: Shrug City
Contact:

Post Post #22 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:48 am

Post by T-Bone »

E-2, E-1, E-X?

For MyLo and LyLo, I am personally going to use MeLo and EyLo, because I still like those short hand terms.

Penguin is going to amend the Newbie queue with elimination based terms, if he hasn't already done so by the time I post this.
My Top 40 Alt Songs of the Year!

"Playing in a Newbie game doesn't count" ~ PenguinPower, Feb 2019
User avatar
Albert B. Rampage
Albert B. Rampage
Survivor
User avatar
User avatar
Albert B. Rampage
Survivor
Survivor
Posts: 27261
Joined: April 8, 2007
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Post Post #23 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:48 am

Post by Albert B. Rampage »

Censoring flavor from speech doesn't erase past horrors.

Banning words, especially that are not meant as insults, just makes people want to use it more.

If you tell your kid not to date before high school, that's the forbidden fruit that they will be obsessed about the whole time.

I think it's a clumsy administration move, personally. Equality won't be won by limiting vocabulary and enforcing thought crimes.

People should understand there is mafiascum culture and outside world historical culture and the context difference.
Last edited by Albert B. Rampage on Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards.
User avatar
zoraster
zoraster
He/Him
Disorganized Crime
User avatar
User avatar
zoraster
He/Him
Disorganized Crime
Disorganized Crime
Posts: 21680
Joined: June 10, 2008
Pronoun: He/Him
Location: Belmont, CA

Post Post #24 (ISO) » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:49 am

Post by zoraster »

In post 23, Albert B. Rampage wrote:Censoring flavor from speech doesn't erase past horrors.

Banning words, especially that are not meant as insults, just makes people want to use it more.

If you tell your kid not to date before high school, that's the forbidden fruit that they will be obsessed about the whole time.

I think it's a clumsy administration move, personally. Equality won't be won by limiting vocabulary and enforcing thought crimes.
Noted.
.
Locked

Return to “News”