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Stanford's “Elimination of Harmful Language” Initiative

itcommunity.stanford.edu

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Re: Stanford's “Elimination of Harmful Language” Initiative

#311

Post by CoastalCoder »

onetimeusename wrote: post #90
cperciva wrote: post #16

I wholeheartedly support the elimination of harmful languages. There's just no good reason these days for anyone to use C++.

> not referring to a specific standard of C++ This is a violation and implies that all of the C++ language is the same which may be offensive to users of a specific standard such as ISO/IEC 14882:2017 . Referring to C++ generically ignores any differences between specifications. Instead, referring to a specific standard, for example, C++11 is more appropriate to members of the ISO/IEC 14882 community.

Consider writing "C++1x" or "C++2x" instead.

Re: Stanford's “Elimination of Harmful Language” Initiative

#312

Post by exodust »

"Long time no see" is bad. Their suggested replacement: "I haven't seen you in so long."

Wow. "No can do" is out, replaced with "I can't do it". OMG.

"Prisoner" replaced with "person who is incarcerated". It goes without saying that "prisoner" is someone with many characteristics, who happens to be in prison - a significant life situation. When released, they are no longer prisoners.

In regards to "blackbox", the meaning is about absence of light, not "black is bad". The Stanford list is embarrassing, and I would argue harmful.

One on the list I agree with is "stand-up meeting". Literally standing up in a meeting doesn't improve the quality of the meeting. Happy to see that go. Inviting someone in a wheelchair to a "stand-up" would be a low point for everyone involved. This is an exception on the list. Things like "sanity-check" are not the equivalent because "sanity" is very broad, not as clear-cut or narrow as "sit/stand".

Re: Stanford's “Elimination of Harmful Language” Initiative

#313

Post by dqpb »

sometimeshuman wrote: post #282

This got dark quick: "basket case" Originally referred to one who has lost all four limbs and therefore needed to be carried around in a basket. I've only heard of basket case from the context of barely ridable motorcycle in a constant state of repair with its random parts in a basket. I wish it was my job to make this sort of document. I'd make up all sorts of crazy backstories for slang no one has ever heard of.

I didn't know that. And now that I do know it, I feel harmed.

Re: Stanford's “Elimination of Harmful Language” Initiative

#314

Post by soundnote »

richbell wrote: post #137

> Grandfather: This term has its roots in the "grandfather clause" adopted by Southern states to deny voting rights to Blacks. > Red team: "Red" is often used disparagingly to refer to Indigenous peoples, so its use in this context could be offensive to some groups. > Blackbox: Assigns negative connotations to the color black, racializing the term. > Brave (do not use): This term perpetuates the stereotype of the "no…

I have to congratulate them: That brave bit at least is new.

Re: Stanford's “Elimination of Harmful Language” Initiative

#315

Post by CoastalCoder »

Animats wrote: post #85

"Do you have a term you'd like added to the list? Please fill out our suggestion form." I wonder how many people Stanford has working on this. Much of this is disconnection from reality. Something an educational institution should not be pushing. As an alum, I'm embarrassed.

I wonder which suggestions that choose to adopt vs. reject, and on what basis.

Re: Stanford's “Elimination of Harmful Language” Initiative

#316

Post by codekansas »

hbrn wrote: post #299
henrikschroder wrote: post #259

The corporate memphis art and the content warning is just the cherry on top of this steaming pile of crap. Projects like this are doomed, because they fundamentally ignore how language works, how language evolves, and how humans work. My favourite example is "idiot". Once upon a time it was a clinical diagnosis used by physicians to describe people. This word of course turned into a slur, so the diagnosis word had to…

Maybe doctors are realizing how language works? I bet "mentally handicapped" is less likely to become a slur because it's not short, catchy and convenient like "idiot" or "retard".

Maybe... "Are you mentally handicapped" sounds more insulting to me than "Are you retarded" but maybe it's from playing video games too much

Re: Stanford's “Elimination of Harmful Language” Initiative

#317

Post by soundnote »

yarg wrote: post #97

Died by suicide? Suicide is a self-inflicted act; committed suicide is correct - and I say this as a man living on the edge. To diminish that is to refuse to accept the underlying cause, which is a bad fucking way to stop it from happening again (or at least to someone else). This whole damned list is retarded. Most of the elements aren't even accurate; they're euphemisms. Someone with OCD isn't 'detail-oriented' the…

> Come on. Seriously? Anyone who is offended by that is offended for a hobby.

Oh no, it's worse. They're offended as a job.

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