As a game of skill, competitive Pokemon battling is very precise, giving real -- if sometimes difficult to measure -- benefits to players who make the correct choices both in teambuilding and in battle. It follows that in discussing this game, we should strive to be as precise as possible in our ideas and the language with which we convey them. Some ideas are very easy to convey, and the meanings of terms like "OHKO" are self-evident. Yet I for one have been very confused by some of the language used in many forum posts, especially Suspect and Viability Ranking threads, and see this as a problem. In particular, there seems to be no consensus on the meaning of "broken", and I often find my mental definitions of "bad" and "outclassed" are the reverse of other people's. The former is particularly troubling, as suspect threads get clogged up with posted arguments that can't be understood by many readers simply because the author chose controversial words upon which to frame his/her main point.
So what can we do to solve this problem? I see two natural solutions:
1. Stop using words like "broken" and "outclassed" in these contexts, and instead use words most everyone can understand.
2. Come up with standardized definitions (in words everyone can understand) for these terms and a clear, designated place to put them, so these words are well-used, not abused and confused.
Some questions to think about for discussion:
Do you agree or disagree that we need to use words precisely on the forums? Why?
Do you agree or disagree that we don't use some words precisely on the forums? Why?
If you agree that the problem I present is indeed a problem, which of my solutions is the most appropriate, and are there more appropriate solutions?
Would you be willing to stop using such controversial terms as "broken" in the contexts I discussed, to further clarity of discussion on Smogon?
So what can we do to solve this problem? I see two natural solutions:
1. Stop using words like "broken" and "outclassed" in these contexts, and instead use words most everyone can understand.
2. Come up with standardized definitions (in words everyone can understand) for these terms and a clear, designated place to put them, so these words are well-used, not abused and confused.
Some questions to think about for discussion:
Do you agree or disagree that we need to use words precisely on the forums? Why?
Do you agree or disagree that we don't use some words precisely on the forums? Why?
If you agree that the problem I present is indeed a problem, which of my solutions is the most appropriate, and are there more appropriate solutions?
Would you be willing to stop using such controversial terms as "broken" in the contexts I discussed, to further clarity of discussion on Smogon?