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GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the word 'retard'

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Re: GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the word 'retard'

#241

Post by mbillie1 »

Zikes wrote: post #231
mbillie1 wrote: post #222

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So if a restaurant asks you to leave because you're shouting ethnic slurs, that's censorship? Come on. GitHub is not the entirety of your expressive domain. If you were disallowed by law from saying "retard" I would be sympathetic to this case. As is this entire thread reads like a series of entitled children whinging that their mums told them not to be nasty at school. If you dislike what GitHub has done, host your…

Hey, if you want to argue with the dictionary be my guest. I'm afraid my name isn't Oxford, though, and I'm not really sure how to reach him. Sorry about that.

In that case - since you're merely quoting the dictionary without voicing an opinion - I invite you to refrain from further diluting the present discussion with your vacuous commentary. I assure you that the entirety of HN readership can avail itself of word definition services.

Re: GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the word 'retard'

#242

Post by mbillie1 »

iwwr wrote: post #236
mbillie1 wrote: post #222

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So if a restaurant asks you to leave because you're shouting ethnic slurs, that's censorship? Come on. GitHub is not the entirety of your expressive domain. If you were disallowed by law from saying "retard" I would be sympathetic to this case. As is this entire thread reads like a series of entitled children whinging that their mums told them not to be nasty at school. If you dislike what GitHub has done, host your…

The difference being that there are no network effects in restaurants and usually there is another one just around the corner.

Bitbucket, gitlab, ? Also, because you do not perceive any network effect in restaurants in no way proves that there are none.

Re: GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the word 'retard'

#244

Post by foota »

andylei wrote: post #156
manicdee wrote: post #143

Earlier quoted context omitted.

First they came for the cussers and swearers, but I didn't speak out because I don't cuss or swear. Then they came for the homophobes and cisgendered bigots, and I cheered them on, because I value diversity. Then they came for the conspiracy theorists, and I didn't speak out because I don't believe the reptoids are evil. Then they came for me, and there was none left to speak out.

the original poem is about how germans systematically eradicated entire racial and political groups. you're comparing it to a website that won't let you save certain content onto their servers.

I could be wrong, but I think that was intended as a joke.

Re: GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the word 'retard'

#245

Post by chuckreynolds »

scarlson wrote: post #173
tracker1 wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Github is itself using an offensive term... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Git_(slang)

They also gladly index and help you find brainfuck repos. I can't say fuck on TV, but it's ok on Github. I can't say retard on Github, but it's ok on TV. I'm glad we've accomplished something here.

lol right? sigh

Re: GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the word 'retard'

#246

Post by Zikes »

mbillie1 wrote: post #241
Zikes wrote: post #231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hey, if you want to argue with the dictionary be my guest. I'm afraid my name isn't Oxford, though, and I'm not really sure how to reach him. Sorry about that.

In that case - since you're merely quoting the dictionary without voicing an opinion - I invite you to refrain from further diluting the present discussion with your vacuous commentary. I assure you that the entirety of HN readership can avail itself of word definition services.

If you're going to ask me to put away the dictionary you could try it without dragging out the thesaurus.

Re: GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the word 'retard'

#247

Post by waterlesscloud »

mbillie1 wrote: post #241
Zikes wrote: post #231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hey, if you want to argue with the dictionary be my guest. I'm afraid my name isn't Oxford, though, and I'm not really sure how to reach him. Sorry about that.

In that case - since you're merely quoting the dictionary without voicing an opinion - I invite you to refrain from further diluting the present discussion with your vacuous commentary. I assure you that the entirety of HN readership can avail itself of word definition services.

Apparently not.

This. Is. Censorship.

It's not in any way a debatable point.

The dynamic that's going on here is that people want to endorse censorship while avoiding using that word.

Re: GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the word 'retard'

#248

Post by PopeOfNope »

ectoplasm wrote: post #225
PopeOfNope wrote: post #211

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. Now, imagine you're in OP's grocery store. It's still private property, but he provides a public service out of it. Can he still prevent you from shouting at him? Do free speech laws cover privately owned public spaces?

Yes, you can eject someone from a store for being rude. Your ISP is not allowed to censor content (as far as I know) because it is a common carrier. Google is not a common carrier, they can do what they want. If Google can do it, GitHub can do it. Note that I don't necessarily think censorship is good. I just get annoyed when people mistakenly think they have a constitutional right to not be censored.

I just get annoyed when people mistakenly think they have a constitutional right to not be censored.

And I say that where, exactly?

Re: GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the word 'retard'

#249

Post by bduerst »

foiboitoi wrote: post #216
ectoplasm wrote: post #196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OP used the term "free speech" which is a legal term that in the US refers to 1st amendment protections around expression. Well, free speech laws don't apply to me on your property. It is legal for you to tell me to shut up or get out.

Free speech isn't just a legality. It's a valuable principal that's stood the test of time of being one of the few core features of functional societies. Free speech is a value that we should all uphold regardless whether it legally applies or not. So stop making excuses for bad corporate behaviour.

"Free Speech" isn't a blank check to say and do whatever you want. Even SCOTUS says that direct threats of violence aren't protected by the first amendment.

I'm tired of reading people nebulously defining "free speech philosophies" online to act as a shield to justify nefarious behavior on private property.

Free speech exists as a protection from government censorship, and it doesn't protect you for acting like a dick on someone else's website. This sums it up pretty well: https://xkcd.com/1357/

Re: GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the word 'retard'

#250

Post by ectoplasm »

PopeOfNope wrote: post #248
ectoplasm wrote: post #225

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, you can eject someone from a store for being rude. Your ISP is not allowed to censor content (as far as I know) because it is a common carrier. Google is not a common carrier, they can do what they want. If Google can do it, GitHub can do it. Note that I don't necessarily think censorship is good. I just get annoyed when people mistakenly think they have a constitutional right to not be censored.

I just get annoyed when people mistakenly think they have a constitutional right to not be censored. And I say that where, exactly?

You didn't, OP implied it by using the term free speech.
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