NationStates Jolt Archive

Basically an opinion poll. Results may not be scientific, blah blah blah >_>

well this is WILDLY poular so far

whats AMF?

I'm betting the swastika by far, with the american flag in second place. Also this thread dying.

Swastika was something entirely different before Hitler gave it that image that will never fade away.

http://history1900s.about.com/cs/swastika/a/swastikahistory.htm

The word "swastika" comes from the Sanskrit svastika - "su" meaning "good," "asti" meaning "to be," and "ka" as a suffix.

Until the Nazis used this symbol, the swastika was used by many cultures throughout the past 3,000 years to represent life, sun, power, strength, and good luck.

Even in the early twentieth century, the swastika was still a symbol with positive connotations. For instance, the swastika was a common decoration that often adorned cigarette cases, postcards, coins, and buildings. During World War I, the swastika could even be found on the shoulder patches of the American 45th Division and on the Finnish air force until after World War II.

---

Quite a turn of reputation.. the swastika actually meant good luck... but then was turned into a symbol of death under Hitler. It has a history of 3,000 years.

And people find the American flag offensive? Hah.

If I had to vote in this poll, definitely the hammer and sickle. A dead philosophy that leads to authoritarianism almost certainly.

we should reclaim Swastika and define it as something that respresents goodness, thats the best way.

Swastika. Hitler and Neo-Nazi's spoilt it. :D

But as to retake back the swastika?

I don't really care to be honest. Let it be the symbol of white supremacy for all I care. At least they have a symbol to differentiate themselves as being closed minded for all to know and keep away.

Any symbol is like a Vegas Magic show illusion.

You have to believe in it, or give it power.

The swastika has been around for a very long time, as others have pointed out, but no one these days can deny the impact it had during the Second World War.
Its now changed into a symbol of hatred, and death.

The mind automatically associates it with Hitler, and his SS.

If I was going to pick one..it would be that one.

Swastika. Hitler and Neo-Nazi's spoilt it. :D

But as to retake back the swastika?

I don't really care to be honest. Let it be the symbol of white supremacy for all I care. At least they have a symbol to differentiate themselves as being closed minded for all to know and keep away.

I don't think it is at all possible to disassociate the swastika with Hitler and his regime of thugs, and today's neo-nazism and white supremacy.. it is just an image that is so ingrained in the minds of millions. A image people recognize as hatred associated with nazi philosophy.

And on that note, i must be going to bed.. good night.

Swastika.

Symbols don't offend me.

Weird. People find simply drawn symbols offensive but not the giant billboard outside with a full portrait of a near-naked woman selling some product that originally has no connection with sex. :rolleyes:

Weird. People find simply drawn symbols offensive but not the giant billboard outside with a full portrait of a near-naked woman selling some product that originally has no connection with sex. :rolleyes:


Thats becuase nikkid wemmins is real nice to gander at.

Not so much on the swastikas.

I'm sure it says something significant about me that I chose the last option, but I'm not quite sure what that would be...

I'm sure it says something significant about me that I chose the last option, but I'm not quite sure what that would be...


Probably something along the lines of "Holy crap..your spending too much time in the role-playing forums on NS?

Probably something along the lines of "Holy crap..your spending too much time in the role-playing forums on NS?

Possibly, though compared to most of the other regular RPers I spend very little time there.

I suspect that it also has to do with the fact that while I may associate a symbol with an ideology, I don't find that symbol offensive just because I think the thing behind it is crap. Funny...now that I think of it, I could apply the same thing to the McDonalds sign... :cool:

Weird. People find simply drawn symbols offensive but not the giant billboard outside with a full portrait of a near-naked woman selling some product that originally has no connection with sex. :rolleyes:
Yup but that wasnt an option

Weird. People find simply drawn symbols offensive but not the giant billboard outside with a full portrait of a near-naked woman selling some product that originally has no connection with sex. :rolleyes:

Anything can be sexual or political.... Thats just how it is.....

(For example, Saddam Hussain hated bananas, for some reason :confused:, and he outlawed them. Why, I don't know, maybe he found them offensive.)

Concerning which of those symbols is most offensive, I'd have to say Swastika due not only to its use in the past hundrid years (genicide, slavery, racism, war, dictatorship, anti-modernism, est.) but its repeated present day use as a symbol by hate groups and all around nuts.

I dont find any of those symbols offensive, however I do often find the intent of people that are displaying certain symbols offensive. It's not the symbol itself, but rather what some people are attempting to do whilst using them. Really if you used a known symbol that some people found offensive, or invented a lovely symbol based on smiley faces, kittens and rainbows, if your intent is to hurt people, I'll probably be offended. If your intent isnt to be hurtful, chances are I will not be offended.

I dont find any of those symbols offensive, however I do often find the intent of people that are displaying certain symbols offensive. It's not the symbol itself, but rather what some people are attempting to do whilst using them. Really if you used a known symbol that some people found offensive, or invented a lovely symbol based on smiley faces, kittens and rainbows, if your intent is to hurt people, I'll probably be offended. If your intent isnt to be hurtful, chances are I will not be offended.

So...a little experiment might be the right move here...

Aha! I intend to cause you great emotional upheaval!

Behold: :)

I'm not offended by any symbols. If someone gives me the finger, I just chuckle.

P.S. I wish I had the power to outlaw bananas.

Hammer and sickle. Also probably the one I would most despise being associated with...

So...a little experiment might be the right move here...

Aha! I intend to cause you great emotional upheaval!

Behold: :)
I'm unconvinced of your intent. Given the amount of harm such a use of symbol might cause, and given my belief that you are aware of the extent of harm possible, this particular usage of a symbol is not offensive to me. I simply do not believe that your intent includes an expectation of reasonable harm, or that harm will result from your intent.... :p

None

This stuff's offensive?

The significance of symbols does change through history. The Romans considered graphic depictions of the phallus to be a good luck symbol. Today, except for the obelisk, the phallus is covered with a fig leaf. The demise of the swastika is equally regrettable, but it is now associated with some of the most heinous crimes in human history.

Fortunately, some symbols gain in popularity. The cross, once the symbol of the sun, is now the symbol of one of the world's major religions.

I would add to the list:

Religion and Stupidity

Its amazing to me how people can be lead like sheeps to the slaughter though a Religion and how DUMB some people are in general about topics and ideas.

The cross, easily. It is the symbol of one of the world's greatest oppressive entities.

Since this is an opinion, anyone can refer to the acceptable flags thread in moderation and take a guess what I voted :D

I would add to the list:

Religion and Stupidity

Its amazing to me how people can be lead like sheeps to the slaughter though a Religion and how DUMB some people are in general about topics and ideas.Actually, your last part fits the neo-nazis much better. Well, except for the bit about being "in" General. They only post their stuff in their own forums and regions it seems.

I find none of those things offensive.
The swastika is beautiful symbol of peace and wisdom and of the eternal turning of the cycle of nature and time--simply examine its use in Hinduism AND Native American Culture both centuries before National Socialists ever touched it.
I am a Christian so a cross is certain to not offend me, and any logic for it offending others would be faulty--I am not sayying it couldnt--I am sayying any attempt to make such emotion logical is absurd.
The Hammer and Sickle--If really examine what they stood for, how again could anyone be offended the IDeal behind them was for the good of the masses, misguided people ruined the attempt at that Ideal, but that doesnt change its spirit of solidarity among the people-in my opinion.

The Star of David, i am again Christian, Christ was Jew--please any othe Christians dont make yourself look stupid by saying he wasnt.

I noticed you left the curved sword and Cresent Moon of Islam--and no i dont find those offensive either.

What those symbols represent is not offensive in Ideal--even if they fall short in actual practice, I respect the Ideal.
My above Answer should cover the Flag.

And I like AMF.

Why is the swastika so popular on the hate list. It isn't like it is a large form of CURRENT oppression.... unlike some others I see up there...

Why is the swastika so popular on the hate list. It isn't like it is a large form of CURRENT oppression.... unlike some others I see up there...Since I don't want to turn this into a "ban explanation thread", I can only direct you here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9464365&postcount=69) and here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9464365&postcount=69).

And people find the American flag offensive? Hah.

If I had to vote in this poll, definitely the hammer and sickle. A dead philosophy that leads to authoritarianism almost certainly.

The irony! It burns my undead flesh!

Since this is an opinion, anyone can refer to the acceptable flags thread in moderation and take a guess what I voted :D

That thread is actually the impetus for this one, as I wanted to see if the hammer and sickle would get a drastically increased number of votes.

None of these are offensive in and of themselves. I find it offensive when fundie wackos parade crosses about and I'd be similarly PO'd if Jews did it (our local lot however let me get on with damning myself by following a false Messiah in peace). US flags and commie symbols likewise, if Swastikas offended me I'd be in shit, there's a ot of Hindu's round here.

AMF threads? WTF?

I would add to the list:

Religion and Stupidity

Its amazing to me how people can be lead like sheeps to the slaughter though a Religion and how DUMB some people are in general about topics and ideas.



I would have to say Iconoclasm and Stupidity

It's amazing to me how people can jump on the "I hate religion because I think they're dumb, despite my lack of knowledge concerning them and my own mental ineptitude" bandwagon and how DUMB some people are in general about topics and ideas, much like the individual I am quoting.

The cross, easily. It is the symbol of one of the world's greatest oppressive entities.


:rolleyes:

Since I don't want to turn this into a "ban explanation thread", I can only direct you here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9464365&postcount=69) and here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9464365&postcount=69).
Ah, I wasn't refering to the ban, just the poll results. Either way, I just think people should focus more on what is effecting them now, and how to fix that, instead of getting upset/offended at/by something that happened previously. Things in the past you must understand and apply to the present. (not just refering to this situation, but just about anything)

I don't find any of those symbols "offensive", rather, I judge the individuals themselves who use such symbols to determine whether or not the person is offensive.



Edit: What is AMF anyway?

Ah, I wasn't refering to the ban, just the poll results. Either way, I just think people should focus more on what is effecting them now, and how to fix that, instead of getting upset/offended at/by something that happened previously. Things in the past you must understand and apply to the present. (not just refering to this situation, but just about anything)Without a past, you have no future. I get affected by Neo-Nazis today, btw.

The irony! It burns my undead flesh!I don't know. You took his quote out of context, at least regarding the American flag.

You forgot two options:

1. The Confederate flag
2. Myrth (in light of those who put the "Myrth" option in polls). ;)

It's a tie between the Swastika and the US flag.

It would be swastika hands down of course, if it were'nt for the fact that the swastika is an ancient symbol whose meaning was usurped, therefore I think of both the murderous ideals of National Socialism, and it's meaning of good luck for many peoples around the world.

The Hammer and Sickle doesn't offend me at all, after all I am a democratic socialist. When I see the H&S, I think of Marxism, communist and socialist ideology first, then the Soviet Union, that fascist usurper of those doctrines. No where do atrocities enter into my mind in a passing observation of the H&S.

I don't know. You took his quote out of context, at least regarding the American flag.


Actually I didn't, here's the full post.

Swastika was something entirely different before Hitler gave it that image that will never fade away.

http://history1900s.about.com/cs/swastika/a/swastikahistory.htm

The word "swastika" comes from the Sanskrit svastika - "su" meaning "good," "asti" meaning "to be," and "ka" as a suffix.

Until the Nazis used this symbol, the swastika was used by many cultures throughout the past 3,000 years to represent life, sun, power, strength, and good luck.

Even in the early twentieth century, the swastika was still a symbol with positive connotations. For instance, the swastika was a common decoration that often adorned cigarette cases, postcards, coins, and buildings. During World War I, the swastika could even be found on the shoulder patches of the American 45th Division and on the Finnish air force until after World War II.

---

Quite a turn of reputation.. the swastika actually meant good luck... but then was turned into a symbol of death under Hitler. It has a history of 3,000 years.

And people find the American flag offensive? Hah.

If I had to vote in this poll, definitely the hammer and sickle. A dead philosophy that leads to authoritarianism almost certainly.

Please don't turn this into an argument, people, I just mean it to be an opinion poll and/or social topic ._.

Actually I didn't, here's the full post.I went and read it before. The "Hah, and people find the American flag offensive" part sounded really ignorant if you didn't know he was criticizing the Nazis. The fact that he went for the hammer and sickle instead is... ;)

Please don't turn this into an argument, people, I just mean it to be an opinion poll and/or social topic ._. :D
Take a look at what happened to the "A country you wouldn't want to live in" thread. It had a LOT less potential for a controversial arguement...

Swastika by far

I can't really think of any symbol, in and of itself, that offends me. Most just make me feel sad.

The Swastika always makes me feel sad, how a symbol of peace and good fortune, known pretty much the world round in various forms, can have its meaning so corrupted by just one small group of people. This fellow who's trying to 'reclaim the symbol', by having it tattoo'd all over his body, then educating people who ask about it, always makes me chuckle, though. Good idea, but I hope he knows what he's getting into... :eek:

The Cross confuses me sometimes, because it often seems to me that people are worshipping it, and have forgotten the ideals that it's supposed to represent. And, like many symbols, it's been terribly misused over the years.

From an aesthetic standpoint, I like the Star of David. It's pretty. But all it makes me think of, now, is the ridiculous hate-fest going on in the Middle-East (and no, I'm not blaming any one side... they're all idiots, IMO).

The Hammer and Sickle seems to connote power, which is kind of an interesting sensation, but it also stands for a good idea that fell flat on its face because of... well, human nature, I suppose.

The American Flag... again, the symbol itself doesn't offend me. It stands for a nation that fought for its freedom, and established itself on (especially for the time) high ideals. It's starting to slip, as a symbol, however, especially outside of the US, where it's taking on connotations of empire. Their government really ought to look at their flag, and try to remember what it stands for.

Another thing that bugs me is that symbols are often so overused that they become caricatures of themselves.

Say, can anyone explain to me how burning a cross can be considered a positive symbol, for a group that claims to be Christian (eg. the KKK)? I've never managed to wrap my head around that one ( which, admittedly, might be a good thing; I'd hate to catch whatever it is they've got :) ).

Obviously I find the swastika by far the most offensive, as should any decent person, followed by the US flag. I don't understand how anyone could be offended by the hammer and sickle.

Unfortunately for my oriental likings, the swastika.

Obviously I find the swastika by far the most offensive, as should any decent person, followed by the US flag. I don't understand how anyone could be offended by the hammer and sickle.



They are offended by the hammer and sickle for the same reason you are offended by the US flag: A misrepresentation of its meaning.

They are offended by the hammer and sickle for the same reason you are offended by the US flag: A misrepresentation of its meaning.

BRAVO!

Or maybe, just because the blood

I'm a pretty difficult guy to offend, so I went with the Nazi swastika, the symbol most likely to offend others. Honestly, I don't see any of the others (war-on-AMF threads being a possible exception) as offensive in the least.

Without a past, you have no future.
That is what I said o.o? wtf...

I get affected by Neo-Nazis today, btw.
Well, of course, everyone is affected in some way by ANYTHING that exists/has existed/what have you O.o
It's the relative signifigance that determines its concidered signifigance.

(btw, I hate the term 'neo-Nazi', A Nazi is a Nazi is a Nazi O.o)

They are offended by the hammer and sickle for the same reason you are offended by the US flag: A misrepresentation of its meaning.No. It's because they only concentrate on the bad that those flags represent while completely ignoring the good. Every one of those symbols has some good to it. The difference is how much that is compared to the bad.
The swastika that represents the Nazis also represents the Autobahn they built, but that in no way outweighs the evil committed by the NS Regime.

(btw, I hate the term 'neo-Nazi', A Nazi is a Nazi is a Nazi O.o)Not quite. They may be Nazis ideologically, but a skinhead thug in his combat boots and Lonsdale t-shirt isn't exactly the same as the social elite that the Nazis became. Also, unlike the NSDAP, the Neo-Nazis elect they're party leaders, which they claim makes them so much better... :rolleyes:

None of them have any bad meaning to me.

Swastika? Sure you see it everynow and then, but it's a failed ideology who's heyday was in the late 30/40's, until Roosevelt laid the Smack down on it.

Hammer and sickle? Another failed ideology. Lasted longer that Nazism did though. They created one of the best small-arms systems in the history of human warfare though, have to give them that. Clever commies :D

RED DAWN!

Cross? A symbol of Jesus' Christ's death on the cross that paved mankind's way to spend eternity with god.

Star of David? Symbolic of the Jewish state, the only Middle east Goverment that isn't a muslimist state.

US flag? Best symbol, ever. Hold yer hand over yer heart pilgrim! ;)

Well it came down to the Hammer&Sickle or the Swastica. But basically 9/10 times I see a swastica today it's some blowhard trying to imply that his political or ideological opponents are nazis. The other 1/10th are real nazis and every time I've seen them wave a swastica around they were surrounded by ten times their number in protesters. Which kinda makes me feel good about the community. But the Hammer&Sickle still stands for some of the most oppresssive governments on earth. So I had to vote for that...

hammer and sickle all the way :mad: i suppose i just dispise communism and it brings to mind the purges one of the worst events to come to my mind

Isn't it interesting that with all the nationalistic blowhards trying to get the hammer and sicle banned from NS, nearly twice as many people find the Cross or the American Flag more offensive?

Isn't it interesting that with all the nationalistic blowhards trying to get the hammer and sicle banned from NS, nearly twice as many people find the Cross or the American Flag more offensive?


weird isn't it i don't understand how those things are more offensive then the hammer and sickle or the swastika

With regards to a 50% majority in (dis)favor of the swastika, I'd like to contribute something I've read on the message board of a region here:
Well that flag debate is interesting, unfortunately the mods and Max come off badly because the argument to ban the supposed nazi symbols is very weak. Most people are not offended by them but because the smallest groups whine the loudest they get heard.

Fact is communist regimes were far worse to our fellow man.Let's get whining :D

I find none of those offensive...

THe closest thing would be a swastika, but getting offended by that would be pointless.

Anyone who is offended by a symbol is too sensitive for thier own good.

Anyone who is offended by a symbol is too sensitive for thier own good.Nope.

Maybe I'm just channeling Robert Langdon, but I find none of those symbols offensive, All of their roots are honest. If stuff like the thumbs up was in there, we'd have a diferent story. :p

I find none of those offensive...

THe closest thing would be a swastika, but getting offended by that would be pointless.

Anyone who is offended by a symbol is too sensitive for thier own good.


Yep, all those survivers of the holocaust resenting the swastika, they are just to sensitive... :rolleyes:

Yep, all those survivers of the holocaust resenting the swastika, they are just to sensitive... :rolleyes:
The swastika can't do anything. It was the people who were behind the corruption of the symbol who did the evil.

Hammer and sickle? seriously?

What's offensive about that?

The swastika can't do anything. It was the people who were behind the corruption of the symbol who did the evil.

No symbol can do anything. You never hear cases of someone being murdered by a wild swastika now do you? Its the memories they bring up and what they represent to people.

The swastika now represents to most the holocaust. I have never seen it used for any other purpose because it would offend people.

The swastika can't do anything. It was the people who were behind the corruption of the symbol who did the evil.It can trigger memories, actually. Imagine walking past an "Arbeit mach Frei" sign every day of your captivity in a concentration camp while you're being worked to death. It's something you can remember.
It's gonna hurt like heck when you see someone use that phrase for fun or because he loves the Nazis.

Weird. People find simply drawn symbols offensive but not the giant billboard outside with a full portrait of a near-naked woman selling some product that originally has no connection with sex. :rolleyes:

oh i find that offensive, and im a guy, and im not gay, i just want to respect women for who they are, not because of what they have.