A Git’s Thoughts on Quote Modding

[psychodiva]

as one guilty of altering posts for comic and grammar nazi intent- and pure devilry when it comes to Cal I agree- the line needs to be moveable and I trust the all-knowing all-drinking mods to know when and if it has been jumped across and / or stomped on

[Sol]

Changing and modifying qoutes is a 'kin heinous crime and should be stopped.
I've seen some what have misquoteified or taken out of context things what like have been sed by scientists and such.
They have cut and pasted stuff what is not aktually what the scientist has sed innit.
These peoples shud have their nadgers narcotically nullified or summat.

[Sternwallow]

Smellyoldgit wrote

This prickly subject occasionally rears its ugly, zit infested head, so I thought a bit of digging might be in order.

Although not in Chris’ main Forum Rules - way back in 2006 (even before my time) Tenspace put out a notice stipulating that posts should not be amended, but quoted as written. It would be enlightening if any of you ol’ timers could clarify exactly how this came about, if at all there was an ‘incident’ that prompted it.

I’m as guilty as anybody of altering quotes for comic and abusive effect, usually aimed at passing theist idiots (or Jerry & spamming wankers) and I’d like to think it’s painfully obvious when it’s done. Eg, it’s now glaringly apparent that Pahu is not here to engage, but simply to spam his chum Walt Brown’s bullshit creationist website. We could just ban him, but I reckon taking down his shite and passing on a bit of abuse will induce his self dismissal.

If a quote is amended to try and alter the meaning or intent of a message, I’d judge this to be criminal and deserving of something far more serious than the death penalty or withdrawal of alcohol privileges. However, there are occasions where a quote is altered, but the alterations identified using strikeout or bolding and an accompanying note as to why the change. I have no problem with this.

So, what do you buggers think? Strict adherence? A bit of give & take? Or don’t give a shit? No doubt Eva & Prof will have different opinions and we might have to settle this over loadsa beer & drambuie at some point!

I wonder if newbies would see a comedic modification, not get the joke, then conclude that modified quotes were all right.

Honest magicians tell you up front that they are tricking and lying to you while dishonest ones pretend they really have magic/occult powers. For quoting we are just not in the habit of signalling our humorous or satirical or other intention.

[Sternwallow]

ghoulslime wrote

I distinctly remember an incident where Lily the lying Catholic cow made subtle semantic changes to some of the atheist posts she quoted, as a sort of convert strawman. It was just one of the many examples of her dishonesty.

More Catholics convert to strawmen than Buddhists do (unpublished recent correspondence).

[Rhinoqulous]

Professor Chaos wrote

I vote for a bit of give and take.

On a side note, the Stealers are a bunch of pansies and are going to finish last in the AFC.

I agree with Prof, there should be a little give and take in the matter...

[West491]

The Lions are gonna (hopefully) own the NFC this season. If everyone can stay healthy for crying out loud.

[Rhinoqulous]

West491 wrote

The Lions are gonna (hopefully) own the NFC this season. If everyone can stay healthy for crying out loud.

This right here is hilarious. The NFC North is freaking scary, but I don't think the Lions are going to own the NFC. The Packers look just as good as they did last year, the Bears should probably do better as long as they can keep Cutler from getting sacked 11 times a game, and the Lions have a shot at going to the playoffs if everything comes together. My team, the Vikings, will land solidly in last place in the NFC North, I doubt they'll even break 8-8 (6-10 more likely IMO).

Maybe I should become a Broncos fan now that I'm living here in the mountains... what am I saying? There are no such things as Broncos fans.

[Professor Chaos]

Rhinoqulous wrote

I agree with Prof, there should be a little give and take in the matter...

The Steelers have averaged a Super Bowl appearance every 2.0 years since 2005, so this is probably the "off" year.

[Professor Chaos]

West491 wrote

The Lions are gonna (hopefully) own the NFC this season. If everyone can stay healthy for crying out loud.

This is absolutely hilarious. I will say that the Lions are my sleeper team. I think they're going to be pretty good. And you've got a Monday Night Football game at home!

[nkb]

I'm with the crowd on this one, some give and take is needed, and the mods, when they're not rip-roaring drunk, can judge whether a misquote is done for comedic or for nefarious purposes.

Or, we can always go the Choobus route, and slightly change the name of the poster you are quoting, to abide by the letter of the law.

[Kinich Ahau]

Yes, I've heard Choobus was a real stickler for etiquette and politeness.

We should follow his example!

[Eva]

fucking shit. after all the fun i've been having with Irene (that cunt), i'm sending her up there so you gringos can share the fun.

got running water today but power will take about 4 more days. it's not fun.

changing quotes is a case by case thing. if it's for comedic purposes, im all for it.

[lostsheep]

Aw Eva I hope you get your power back sooner, loss of electric power is a huge PITA, but it has given me a new appreciation for power companies, or at least power company personnel!

[nkb]

Us gringos in North Texas would love to get a little Irene here (without the power outages, of course). We've had one of the hottest and dryest summers on record, and rain (even in large amounts) would be a welcome sight to counter this brutal drought.

Hope things go back to normal for you soon, Eva.