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Apple has threatened to remove Amphetamine from the App Store

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Re: Apple has threatened to remove Amphetamine from the App Store

#271

Post by incongruity »

Angostura wrote: post #226
tgsovlerkhgsel wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> They kind of have a point They don't (the claim is the app promotes drug use, which it doesn't), and it's quite likely that it's a reviewer mistake that will be overturned once the stink on social media gets big enough to reach the right person.

> the claim is the app promotes drug use, which it doesn't You don't think it could reinforce the idea that Amphetamines could be a useful tool to preserve wakefulness?

Well - they do actually do that and under certain circumstances, they are used precisely for that. I find the puritanical mindset a little bit of an overreach here.

Re: Apple has threatened to remove Amphetamine from the App Store

#272

Post by randallsquared »

Bodell wrote: post #188
bserge wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[Sorry, I'm a bit hyped up at the moment] This is all ridiculous and I don't like where we're headed as a society.

I’m very glad you brought up weed actually. See I have no problem with weed and like to smoke a joint every now and then. However what I don’t want is to have to buy weed called dumb things like “bro down”, “the obliterator”, and “brain destroyer”. I’d much rather you just named something not so click baity. Sure it’s just a chemical. Everything is just chemicals but I don’t need “meth” for my computer. Same reason o…

The application keeps one's Mac from going to sleep. Its name is basically a direct analogy, and doesn't imply any wrongdoing or illegality, as far as I can see.

> I also would not buy your product if it were called alcohol poisoning. I love alcohol. I’m drinking a beer right now (happy New Years everyone). But naming a computer program after it sounds like an odd thing to do. And more to your point would also be a violation of the same rule Apple is using in this case.

What about an application that assists in force-quitting other programs? One might call that "Scotch", since that's what it does ("It 'scotches' other processes, you see..."), and the application might have a cutesy whiskey glass as its icon. Would that run afoul of your sensibilities?

Re: Apple has threatened to remove Amphetamine from the App Store

#273

Post by speedgoose »

yarcob wrote: post #150
speedgoose wrote: post #12

The developer uses Github but I cannot see source code, only compiled binaries.

Developer probably has a private Github repo for source code and a public repo for things they want publicly accessible. It's funny that much of the public only associates Github with Open Source even though all their paying customers use it for closed source development...

I also use Github for non open-source development at work. But I don't distribute binaries through git. That's weird.

Re: Apple has threatened to remove Amphetamine from the App Store

#274

Post by zamadatix »

Angostura wrote: post #226
tgsovlerkhgsel wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> They kind of have a point They don't (the claim is the app promotes drug use, which it doesn't), and it's quite likely that it's a reviewer mistake that will be overturned once the stink on social media gets big enough to reach the right person.

> the claim is the app promotes drug use, which it doesn't You don't think it could reinforce the idea that Amphetamines could be a useful tool to preserve wakefulness?

You can refrence a truth without promoting it. E.g. Darik's boot and nuke wipes everything but you'd be off your rocker to say it's promoting nuclear war as a result.

Re: Apple has threatened to remove Amphetamine from the App Store

#275

Post by adhder »

trestenhortz wrote: post #6

Incredibly insensitive product naming. I’m guessing the software authors don’t have children and don’t have multiple friends and family who’s lives have been destroyed by meth. Instead it’s just a bro having cool fun with words “hey keeps your computer awake! Get it? Ha! So clever!”

You are just displaying your ignorance here. Amphetamines are used in medications prescribed for narcolepsy (i.e. unwanted/inappropriate sleepiness), ADHD and obesity.

If you look at this and think of street meth, that's your own problem.

Re: Apple has threatened to remove Amphetamine from the App Store

#276

Post by GCA10 »

hugi wrote: post #239
Bodell wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly if your name your product stupid things I would think that some of us might be choosing not to download your product as a result. And if a store decides not to sell your product because of this it’s really their prerogative. Saying you violated their terms with impunity for 6 years doesn’t mean they lose the right to correct the mistake. This name is pretty rings rather badly in my ears, though I’m not offen…

Americans being American. "We love freedom of speech but fuck you if your product name mentions a chemical compound or a word I or someone else might find offending".

Freedom of speech isn't the same as freedom of distribution. There are lots of edgy things that you can say somewhere. You just can't say them everywhere.

We can have lots of lively debate about how to draw the boundaries. But we'll get a lot farther if we can move beyond the two-state absolutism of "allowable everywhere" vs. "outright banned with breath-taking severity."

Re: Apple has threatened to remove Amphetamine from the App Store

#277

Post by Hnrobert42 »

valuearb wrote: post #51
mmaunder wrote: post #23

You’re angry. I’ve felt this in a trademark lawsuit. You think the world should get behind you and change the corrupt system. My advice is to immediately rebrand as gracefully and effectively as possible and use all that activist energy to effect the transition. They kind of have a point which doesn’t make them right, but they hold all the cards and you will lose this one and regret the wasted bandwidth.

I like “Up All Night” as a new name. Icon image could be people partying in their pajamas. While taking amphetamines.

I wonder if that phrase is still protected by the USA network, for those of you old enough to remember when regular ol’ cable would show topless women. Now you can’t name an app Amphetamine. It is interesting to watch the pendulum swing.

Re: Apple has threatened to remove Amphetamine from the App Store

#278

Post by ufmace »

smnrchrds wrote: post #234
warent wrote: post #219

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In my mind maybe this is something like an HOA. Sure, your friends might love your house parties, but your neighbors have to deal with the consequences

Aren't HOAs widely hated?

No. Certain internet communities have a culture of dunking on them, but they do not represent any kind of real majority. The housing market continues to show a preference towards communities with HOAs.

Re: Apple has threatened to remove Amphetamine from the App Store

#279

Post by freehunter »

bambax wrote: post #210
Bodell wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly if your name your product stupid things I would think that some of us might be choosing not to download your product as a result. And if a store decides not to sell your product because of this it’s really their prerogative. Saying you violated their terms with impunity for 6 years doesn’t mean they lose the right to correct the mistake. This name is pretty rings rather badly in my ears, though I’m not offen…

> I’m not offended by the word “fuck” but I don’t really want to buy products that are named that. Then don't. How is this relevant? They say the app has been downloaded 500,000 times, so many people are fine with the name. These stories keep coming; they should remind us that nothing is more precious than the open web, and all those stores or walled gardens, their "rules" and vague TOS are the ennemy.

I download and use the app despite the name. I’m not okay with it, but I need the features it offers and there isn’t a better alternative with a better name. There used to be (called Caffeine) but it disappeared from the store and I’m not sure why.

Just because people use the app doesn’t mean they like the name.

Re: Apple has threatened to remove Amphetamine from the App Store

#280

Post by jMyles »

Shank wrote: post #213

As someone who depends on amphetamines to function daily, it’s disheartening to see their use further stigmatized. For many people like me, amphetamines help them live a normal life. The app isn’t called “meth” or “methamphetamine” and it’s not referring to a street drug. I’m saddened to see so many equating amphetamines to illicit drugs, when that’s simply not the full story. This perception is exactly what stops pe…

While I wholeheartedly agree with the thrust of your argument (particularly that stigmatization is detrimental)...

> it’s not referring to a street drug.

Amphetamine (and other amphetamines) are certainly available as 'street drugs'. The stigmatization of 'street drugs' (and generally, drug use as part of someone's self-directed diet) is also harmful.

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