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Fork My Dongle

forkmydongle.com

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Re: Fork My Dongle

#161

Post by WayneDB »

DanBC wrote: post #158
sneak wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Being offended is your problem, not his. Have we learned nothing in the last 24 hours?!

Many people find the word retard (used that way) to be deeply offensive. Many other people are not aware of that offence, and also would not like to cause that offence, and once they know that many people find the word so offensive are happy to consider their use of language and find another word. There are lots of great words to use instead of retard and retarded. And asking someone to consider their language isn't…

I am offended that you would be an enabler to all the complainers of the world.

Seriously. Could you stop that please?

Re: Fork My Dongle

#162

Post by Wintamute »

quesera wrote: post #153
Wintamute wrote: post #148

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, "handicapped" means having a condition that hampers your ability to function optimally, whereas "retarded" means backwards, mentally less advanced, stupid. "Retarded" is very obviously the more pejorative term. Personally I avoid using the term "retarded" because of the extremely negative/unpleasant connotations surrounding the use of the term "retard" in our culture. I know that by invoking either of those wor…

"Retarded" means slowed, or delayed. The antonym is "advanced". You can retard progress, development, rotation, etc. It has only become a pejorative term because it's a label with negative connotations when applied to people. "Handicapped" is identical in this way. Even if you're not sensitive to peoples' feelings about words, one good reason not to use "retarded" is that it makes you sound like a playground bully.

I was concentrating on the pejorative use of the term as relating to criticism of people and/or things. I think its obviously fine to say, for example, "the rotation of the wheel was retarded due to friction".

> Even if you're not sensitive to peoples' feelings about words, one good reason not to use "retarded" is that it makes you sound like a playground bully.

In not wanting to sound like a playground bully aren't exhibiting sensitivity to peoples' feelings?

Re: Fork My Dongle

#163

Post by hurfdurferson »

Finbarr wrote: post #44
etchalon wrote: post #18

So I just bought one, but am now regretting it. You need to make it clear "Girls Who Code" has nothing to do with this shirt. "We intend to give the money to Girls Who Code. In the event that they do not accept the money we'll look for another charity that supports women in tech." While I firmly stand on the side of the poor bastard who got fired for making a simple joke, I find it distasteful that a bunch of guys wo…

I'm sorry you feel that way. There was really no intention to be mean spirited. As a software engineer myself I definitely want to see more women in tech. I've seen a lot of interest in the donglegate story over the last couple of days and just saw an opportunity to shift focus onto a worthwhile cause.

"Male geeks are sad, fragile virgins." Hey! I'm sorry if that made you feel uncomfortable. There was no intention to be mean spirited!

Re: Fork My Dongle

#164

Post by [deleted] »

smoyer wrote: post #127
samstave wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Forks and dongles are both male, so this is a retarded way to "support women in tech" "Finger my ports" would be far more appropriate.

I have a mentally handicapped son and your use of the word retarded offends me. Pick another word? (And by the way, I do agree with your premise).

[deleted]

Re: Fork My Dongle

#165

Post by hurfdurferson »

I've got a good idea for a shirt: White 24-point Impact on black background: "I am a male geek! I look a lot like a grown-ass human male. Just don't tell me I can't make dick jokes in public venues. I might have to threaten you with rape and murder!".

Re: Fork My Dongle

#166

Post by unalone »

rplnt wrote: post #133
mlent wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a woman I'd probably be afraid to wear a "Fork my Repo" shirt. I think you can guess why. Just some food for thought...

Why? (not why as "I don't see anything wrong" but why as "I really don't know, please explain")

There's a certain type of guy who will use anything about a woman that appears vaguely sexual to a) assume she's "up for grabs" and hit on her/make inappropriate remarks since they feel she's given permission and b) call the same woman a slut and similarly-toned remarks if she tells them that, no, she's not really appreciative of being treated like a sex vending machine.

Re: Fork My Dongle

#167

Post by taejo »

Confusion wrote: post #151
jasonlotito wrote: post #139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If inflammatory comments are even possibly leading to death threats (and it seemed to me like they might be), it's probably a good idea to not post inflammatory comments. That's 'victim blaming' and fairly inflammatory. That's not your intent. It's no different then telling women not to wear provocative clothing if they don't want to be raped (And before people suggest it, I'm not equating rape to anything here). B…

It's no different then telling women not to wear provocative clothing if they don't want to be raped Telling women that not wearing provocative clothing will lower their chance of being raped is simply stating a truth. We wish it were otherwise, but it isn't. It's thus by definition sound advice and much more useful advice than stating "men shouldn't rape". Gee, thanks, the victim wasn't aware of that. Giving advice…

> Telling women that not wearing provocative clothing will lower their chance of being raped is simply stating a truth.

Source?

Re: Fork My Dongle

#168

Post by unalone »

davidw wrote: post #157
potatolicious wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The lessons of the last 24 hours have nothing to do with whether or not someone ought to be offended about something. If anything, we've learned that there is really no effective way to establish, objectively, what is an isn't offensive. The lesson we learned was how to handle being offended: to challenge the offender directly, find a resolution, without involving an internet mob. OP did this the correct way, and you…

> If anything, we've learned that there is really no effective way to establish, objectively, what is an isn't offensive. "The only winning move is not to play"

Except that in this case, the "player" is the one who's using certain words in a pejorative context, giving the implication that anybody to whom that word applies is somehow lesser because of it.

This is why we don't use the words "nigger", "kike", and "faggot" as insults anymore, why calling somebody a "pussy" or "woman" for not being aggressive or assertive enough is generally frowned upon, and, yes, why casually dropping the word "retarded" like it ain't no thang will get people for whom the word actually means something politely asking you not to use it anymore.

Communication is a two-way street, and it's up to the listener to determine how they interpret the words coming out of your mouth. I'm amused and irritated by how many people get frustrated when they're told that their choice of language bothers somebody. It's like, hey, here's an opportunity to refine how to interface with the world! And a bunch of people see that opportunity and go FUCK NO, I'M TIRED OF HAVING TO DO THINGS, SOMEBODY ELSE JUST STOP BEING OFFENDED OKAY

Re: Fork My Dongle

#169

Post by unalone »

WayneDB wrote: post #161
DanBC wrote: post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Many people find the word retard (used that way) to be deeply offensive. Many other people are not aware of that offence, and also would not like to cause that offence, and once they know that many people find the word so offensive are happy to consider their use of language and find another word. There are lots of great words to use instead of retard and retarded. And asking someone to consider their language isn't…

I am offended that you would be an enabler to all the complainers of the world. Seriously. Could you stop that please?

Genuine question! Do you believe, sincerely, that there is no good reason to complain about anything? Because, leaving aside the fact that your comment makes you a "complainer of the world", I think there are a lot of things worth saying "not cool" to.

What we should be talking about is where exactly the line is drawn, not whether complainers inherently suck.

Re: Fork My Dongle

#170

Post by ChrisNorstrom »

rplnt wrote: post #133
mlent wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a woman I'd probably be afraid to wear a "Fork my Repo" shirt. I think you can guess why. Just some food for thought...

Why? (not why as "I don't see anything wrong" but why as "I really don't know, please explain")

Fork = Fuck

Repo = Vagina

A woman walking around with a metaphoric "fuck my vagina" shirt is asking to be hit on and told dirty jokes. It would be like a straight man going into a gay bar with a shirt that says "My backdoor is open".

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