“No. I think that it is certainly more prevalent in art now than when I was growing up, but I don't think people have become more profane. I think artists and the media are reflecting it more.”

— William J. Harris, professor, Lawrence

“Absolutely. You hear it all the time on television and you can't watch a movie without it. I think it's way overused. People should be able to express themselves without being profane.”

— Mary Johnson, customer service representative, St. Paul, Minn.

“No. I think it has become less stigmatized in society. I think people are just becoming more open to it.”

— Jeff Crick, Kansas University graduate student, Lawrence

“Yes and no. I don't hear it very much in an academic setting, but I do if I go out for a drink. I think it's kind of a cop-out to use curse words instead of fully explaining things. I think people do it because it takes less time and they get more of a reaction.”

— Peris Wanjiku, KU senior, Lawrence