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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'

#71

Post by Gibbon1 »

Gibbon1 wrote: post #38
aerovistae wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Let's compile a list of things it's not as offensive as.

My brother is a retard. Your serve

So to explain myself a lot of people tell me my brother is 'autistic'

Well my brother is not autistic. My brother has issues with understanding language and expressing himself. That does make it had for him to relate to ordinary people. But it doesn't mean that he has issues with socialization and emotional attachment. He desperately wants to fit in with people and have meaningful relationships with people.

As such I find the term Autistic, which assumes that he doesn't care about human emotional attachments. And assumes that he's somehow 'sick' to be extremely insulting.

I'd much rather people use the term retard because at least that just generally says that a person has one or more learning deficits and picks certain tasks slower than normal.

And frankly you're never going to get off the euphemism treadmill. That said for the reasons above, the concept of 'retard' is better than autistic by a long shot.

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

#72

Post by Retra »

onewaystreet wrote: post #37
avolcano wrote: post #6

Fine with me. It's an offensive term and GitHub has every right to police their service and ban content like this. Am I supposed to be concerned by this, and if so, why?

The term was being used in the same context as "dummies" is in the "for dummies" books. Do you consider dummies an offensive term? If not, why not?

"Dummy" is very pedestrian term. Compare "shit" and "poo." One is more offensive than the other, even if they are used to mean the same thing in the same context.

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

#73

Post by smrtinsert »

CoryG89 wrote: post #40

For people who don't see what's wrong here. The issue is not about whether the word 'retard' is or is not offensive to anyone. You need to consider that GitHub currently hosts a large percentage of the web's open source repositories. This is censorship plain and simple, something that IMO has no place in open source. The issue is that there are plenty of things some people might find offensive on GitHub but you dont…

They can do whatever they want, that is the market at work. If enough people find it offensive, they will produce/migrate to an alternative.

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

#74

Post by aerovistae »

KirinDave wrote: post #60
aerovistae wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good Lord, I have heard so many different takes on 'what makes something offensive.' My favorite was a teenager telling me only one person has to find something offensive before we have to all consider it as such and stop saying it. The fact that words "have context and actual loaded meanings" is besides the point. I am saying that these things come into fashion and then pass away. I'm sure you know it was only in th…

> I am saying that these things come into fashion and then pass away. If words can come INTO fashion for various reasons, then some must be allowed to LEAVE fashion for other reasons. Letting them pass out of empathy is probably one of the most noble and equitable reasons we could have to change our language. Your argument is so strange. You argue that language is fluid then get angry, confused and dismissive when pe…

Yes, I'm very angry and confused.

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

#75

Post by JoshTriplett »

waterlesscloud wrote: post #51
JoshTriplett wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Those aren't typically derogatory descriptions of people , though. Profanity isn't necessarily an issue; derogatory language is. I'd expect Github to take down repositories containing slurs of any kind, while leaving up things like https://github.com/nvbn/thefuck/

It took me about 1 minute find other repositories using derogatory descriptions of people. I didn't even have to use my imagination.

And it would take you another 2 to report them, and github a few moments to act on it. They don't necessarily proactively search for it, they act on reports.

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

#76

Post by KirinDave »

Tinyyy wrote: post #64
KirinDave wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably because facebook is by design a mechanism of human communication. Github is a mechanism for sharing code. The words used and then rejected were useless, and substituting them did not affect the communication in any meaningful way. Calling vocabulary subs like this "censorship" greatly glorifies the users of said language, as unless they're deliberately trying to be offensive there is always an equally useful…

I personally feel that offensive language should be censored because they’re intended to be offensive and hurtful to people, while OTOH if its obviously not purposely offensive but just a method of expression, it should be given a pass. Leave that to self-censorship / the readers / users. Also, given the semi-monopoly that these sites have, I think that they have some sort of responsibility to not exploit network eff…

There is no right answer to this question, nor no clear line. We all have to decide where we draws the line between accommodation and self-determination.

And the line moves over time, not always for the better.

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

#78

Post by kazinator »

avolcano wrote: post #52
kazinator wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The noun "retard" is not considered profane. I don't think it would have to be bleeped over in broadcast television. It's also a verb which means to slow down. For example, it is necessary to retard the ignition timing of a gasoline engine, and more so at higher RPM, to prevent detonation.

Oh sure, but that's not the context it was being used here, and there's no indication that this was some sort of automated email that was sent purely because a use of the word was detected. I don't think anyone's out there trying to ban the word "retard" for its non-derogatory usages. Seems like a weird straw-man to worry about.

Yes it is the context! "retard" is a short form of "mentally retarded". Which means slowed down developmentally. The spark plug gaps being a little too wide in the old noggin to fire reliably.

This is not like a completely separate context like "fag" (cigarette) versus "fag" (homosexual).

The long form "mentally retarded" isn't offensive, yet "mental retard" is so offensive that it violates terms of service and gets you a shutdown threat?

Absurd.

> there's no indication that this was some sort of automated email that was sent purely because a use of the word was detected.

I would find the action less distasteful if it was such a bot. That would still leave open the possibility that the bot isn't expressing its author's intent.

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

#79

Post by Retra »

CoryG89 wrote: post #40

For people who don't see what's wrong here. The issue is not about whether the word 'retard' is or is not offensive to anyone. You need to consider that GitHub currently hosts a large percentage of the web's open source repositories. This is censorship plain and simple, something that IMO has no place in open source. The issue is that there are plenty of things some people might find offensive on GitHub but you dont…

You don't think standards of professionalism have a place in open source, or on GitHub?

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

#80

Post by aerovistae »

KirinDave wrote: post #66
aerovistae wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Should we ban all these 'useless' words too? Like eggplant, spade, and oreo? After all, many people find them offensive. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs_by_ethnic...

Would it actually bother you if you couldn't use those words in those contexts? You're arguing over a principle while dismissing the real harm people have suffered. The word that got banned has no meaning or use outside the most base kind of interactions. It's not like you can no longer say the word "eggplant" at the supermarket to refer to a vegetable.

'Retard' has no meaning or use?

https://www.google.com/search?tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=retard&num=10

Also, please be careful how you use the word 'vegetable.' My aunt is in a coma, and many people find that offensive.

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