We aren't 5

[Zak]

I think all words should be un-filtered..

[The Professor]

Simply put, insulting another user will cause an argument and make the atmosphere very bad..

That pretty much sums up why it isn't allowed. Its just trolling.

[GommeInc]

The problem is not that idiot is a swear word, which I don't think it is. Therefore it also doesn't need to be filtered. Using the word idiot in a non-offensive way is also not a problem.
The problem is that calling somebody an idiot is rude. This has nothing to do with age, if two adults call each other an idiot it's still rude just the same.

So what happens if I call Immenseman an idiot, jokingly? Because I beleive in some cases people have been warned/infracted for calling someone an idiot when they were joking:

"Oh I crashed my car into a pole."
"You idiot."

Even when it is meant to be rude, e.g. I think 1 x 2 = 3, that person is clearly an idiot and calling them an idiot wouldn't be out of context and in my opinion, doesn't warrant an infraction or warning, just a little edit under the post, or PM which you really should be getting into. Also, you say adults, why does no-one accept that teens talk different to adults and act and talk different to children?!

[Catzsy]

That pretty much sums up why it isn't allowed. Its just trolling.

There is a great deal of difference between somebody calling somebody an idiot and trolling unless that person is continually doing it and spamming the forum which does happen and they end up perm banned.

Each case should be dealt with on its individual merits in my view and say in the spam forum it used to be a lot more relaxed as friends often 'insulted' each other but this was 'banter' and in fun.

Idiot said and meant is not nice bit I do think the 'penalty' for this should be reviewed so that the 'punishment' fits the crime better.