Agreed, if there is to be any sense of community, there should be a compromise, be careful about what you say when talking about other people, but do not let it limit your speech options. Agreed, some people can be overly sensitive, but a good portion are rightfully sensitive towards words they may find discriminating or is used to separate them from other people, and I personally find the word "Fluff" to be of no exception.
The term "fluff" did not originate here. I've been on other magick sites that coined the phrase as "fluff bunny" and 'fluffy bunny" when it comes to fakery or role-play in magick. Take it as the meaning it was meant for here. Being fat has nothing to do with a magical site. Get over it.
Fluffy means fat? Never heard it used that way. I guess it's because of the company I keep fluffy only refers to 'fluffy bunnies' which is like what you said. I'm sure some people claim people with controversial magickal views would be fluff, but personally it's rolepayers primarily, and secondary to what I guess would be considered 'new age' [covered in crystals, kind of an airhead, talks a lot about being 'one with nature' or whatever] primarily, it's roleplayers.
I learned what a fluffy bunny was about day one of my studies. I had 3 pagan friends already and when I decided to convert they started listing authors [read Cunningham but avoid Ravenwolf because she's a fluffy bunny] after about 3 I asked what the heck they were talking about. We use to say the whole 'fluffy bunny' and over the years it's been shortened to fluffy, fluffer, and fluff. We might consider making a pagan dictionary lol.
I have to be honest with everyone that I have used the word before in reference to role players here without knowing it's other meaning and I am sorry if I offended people. I have friends who are gay and I also don't think it's ok to make fun of someone's body. I will avoid calling people this in the future.
It is meant for roleplayers, people who don't know much, the point was, be cautious in the context that you use it. For when you are clearly referencing role players, it is one thing, but under other circumstances, albeit it can be by a rediculous amount, someone can interpret it in the wrong meaning.
I think what people need to realize is that different words mean different things in different contexts. Fluffy, in an online, magical community means one very specific thing. But it may mean a different thing when you are out and about walking the streets with your peers. You need to be able to separate that.
For example, the latch on a jacket or bag is called a frog. When someone says that they hooked the frog on their jacket, they probaby don't mean they attachted a living, hopping frog. They mean they hooked the latch on their jacket. It's all in the context.
That is true, not saying people don't overreact often times, however it can be the fault of the one who wrote if they are too careless and pay no mind to anything they say.
I've watched this discussion for a rather long time now. It's actually very, very humorous to me. If you want a "too long, didn't read" version simply read my bolding.
Everyone defending the right to continue to call people "fluffy" doesn't want to change their ways. I hear a lot of "Why should we change!? People are just way over sensitive and they should grow up and get a backbone!" I also hear a lot of "Well, even if we might offend someone, we don't care because it's not what we mean when we say it." These are arguments that are similar to those posed by people still flying the Confederate flag - which is a symbol of slavery that offends African Americans - , people who do not support the various programs that attempt to help minorities change their situations - women, LGBT+, People of Color, and various other groups - , etc. It's really rather sad to see the same arguments used over and over. However I find your argument more valid in this situation than the other group. At least you are being equally disrespectful and uncaring.
Everyone stating that "fluffy" should not be used for roleplayers, fakers, etc, are trying to change the community that is this website into a better place. While that is nice and good, you are missing the main point of your argument; you want to make this website into a place that isn't using offensive, disrespectful, and uncaring language. Except the terms you propose - roleplayer, faker, etc - are offensive, disrespectful, and uncaring language within the context of this website. You want people not to be offensive, but you are still saying "Being offensive is okay, as long as we're being offensive to those people over there that we don't like." It's hypocritical and is the point I find most humorous. The following are the lines I find particularly rich.
"...so when i used fluffy in my bio then i don't mean it in a bad way, or trying to insult others..."
"...if there is to be any sense of community, there should be a compromise, be careful about what you say when talking about other people, but do not let it limit your speech options..."
"...a good portion are rightfully sensitive towards words they may find discriminating or is used to separate them from other people..."
"...If we are trying to maintain a community where people feel accepted then we need to be sensitive in our language..."
"...If cussing isn't allowed in public chat or the forums because it offends people, then neither should words be that are used to single out minorities..."
"...as members we should work toward fostering a hospitable community by avoiding use of language that singles people out..."
"...I...would like to know if there is language people unintentionally use that makes you feel ostracized..."
"... [Fluffy] is word with many meanings, all of which have a negative connotation, but until someone can find a better term, I fear we may be stuck with it..."
The only people I personally respect in this discussion is H20ofanRikki in saying, "...the term "fluffy" is used as a cruel label on this site...they do not need insults to be thrown at them from other members..." and Ninurta in saying "All those labels really do is tell a small group of members that someone isn't liked by someone else...Those who support the fluffy label need to show some maturity themselves and recognize that it is childish namecalling."
