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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'

#831

Post by mjblack »

brc wrote: post #482
JungleGymSam wrote: post #195

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 3. As for the larger context, the problem with the frequent use of slippery slope arguments and cries of "censorship" is that people are choosing to die on some pretty ridiculous hills. > 4. If or when Github actually does something truly abusive of their power to censor, then I'll worry. This is bizarre. Your thinking goes directly against our human nature: recognize future danger and try to avoid it. The danger i…

The online shaming campaigns are stifling expression in a very bad way. Imagine a source code repository where you have to be mindful of your comments, lest you become the target of a SJW out to destroy your career, friendships and reputation? Where is the utility in that? It's bad enough on twitter now that you can only post dry comments if you use your real name. It's too risky to even post the teeniest joke or qui…

They tried that in the python-cuba wg. The former chair of it stepped down because he has been the target by SJWs trying to ruin his career. What is his crime? He spoke against the GGAB for its criteria on what is a "harasser" after he ended up on it without ever being part of GamerGate.

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

#832

Post by mjblack »

devnonymous wrote: post #176
thedz wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

1. This isn't censorship of the type that is illegal or not allowed. It is a private company deciding a word was inappropriate. 2. It seems like most in this comment thread agree that this action, as a singular act, is a good thing. The word was offensive. Github asked the repo to change it. They did. The end. 3. As for the larger context, the problem with the frequent use of slippery slope arguments and cries of "ce…

To add to that 5. Github as a commercial entity is pretty unlikely to abuse their (indeed worrying, but not scary yet) ability to censor unless some suits decide that they are big enough to not worry about the very community that made them big (IOW, I won't worry until they do a reddit).

No, they have abused it before. They deleted a GamerGate repo then went on twitter to gloat about it.

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

#833

Post by bduerst »

kordless wrote: post #828
bduerst wrote: post #297

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So now graffiti removal is a nightmare scenario.

Actually, mature consensus on some graffiti is that it is art and should be treasured in the moment it exits. Banksy, for example. People are totally OK with removal for aesthetics, instead of the previously mentioned censorship.

Yeah, but they said even a "slight" amount of censorship is a nightmare scenario. It's pointless hyperbole.

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

#834

Post by bduerst »

gambler wrote: post #769
bduerst wrote: post #287

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>you either get free speech as a social virtue or you don't. False dichotomy. Many people get that free speech is a social virtue, because many people see protection from government censorship as a social virtue. What it sounds like is that you wish was a social virtue is the ability to behave or act in any manor on privately-owned websites without having to face the consequences of your actions. We can consider hypo…

> privately-owned websites If GitHub used their privately-owned website to deliberately offend people, would you be defending them? To me it seems like this argument based on ownership is chosen purely because it is convenient in this particular case. > having to face the consequences of your actions This sounds ominous, except the "action" we're talking about is forking a repository that used the "wrong" vocabulary…

I'm not defending anyone. Re-read the part about how people keep making a "freedom of speech" issue.

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

#835

Post by bduerst »

foiboitoi wrote: post #434
bduerst wrote: post #327

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Slippery slope Github isn't even remotely "blurred" with a government organization. This is some pretty out-there FUD.

Slippery slope doesn't have anything to do with this. My point was that societal standards & expectation shouldn't end with the government. Yes it's not required, but that's irrelevant. People are paying for these corporations through tax breaks, subsidies & other governmental projects (Tesla for example).

It is a slippery slope because you're trying to extrapolate public policy onto private property.

If you're upset with the tax breaks and subsidies, then elect someone who will deal with them. That and your arbitrary expectations doesn't give you entitlement to someone else's private property.

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

#836

Post by bduerst »

PopeOfNope wrote: post #456
bduerst wrote: post #287

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>you either get free speech as a social virtue or you don't. False dichotomy. Many people get that free speech is a social virtue, because many people see protection from government censorship as a social virtue. What it sounds like is that you wish was a social virtue is the ability to behave or act in any manor on privately-owned websites without having to face the consequences of your actions. We can consider hypo…

Many people get that free speech is a social virtue, because many people see protection from government censorship as a social virtue. QED. Thanks for playing the home game. We'll mail you your prizes.

Thank you for proving your comments aren't worth reading.

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

#837

Post by neetery »

thedz wrote: post #116
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…

1. This isn't censorship of the type that is illegal or not allowed. It is a private company deciding a word was inappropriate. 2. It seems like most in this comment thread agree that this action, as a singular act, is a good thing. The word was offensive. Github asked the repo to change it. They did. The end. 3. As for the larger context, the problem with the frequent use of slippery slope arguments and cries of "ce…

Sorry retard, it's actually a giant problem that access to this very popular and useful fork was interrupted for like a week (and would have been indefinite if the owner was inactive) due to an upstream repo using a mean word.

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

#839

Post by vultour »

TazeTSchnitzel wrote: post #489
Cthulhu_ wrote: post #472

Earlier quoted context omitted.

r-at-t-dollar-rd? how do you even pronounce that? Anyway as a git I am offended by the use of the word git and it makes it hard for me to participate in such spaces.

Offence is meaningless. White people are occasionally offended by 'cracker', rich people by other terms, but they don't cause material harm to them. But people of colour are hurt by words like 'n$@!%r".

Oh, so when someone calls me a totally racist and offensive slur against white people it causes no harm, but when white people call blacks what they call each other all the time it hurts them... definitely makes sense.

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

#840

Post by joshlegs »

KirinDave wrote: post #561
sklogic wrote: post #557

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Of course semantics can hurt, obviously. But the choice of synonyms does not, and anyone claiming otherwise must try really hart to prove such an outrageous claim.

"idiot" is not a synonym for the word in question here. This is similar to saying that "t *ny" and "transsexual" are synonyms. They're not. Let me give you an example of how referring to you in an insulting way can change your attitudes and discourage conversation. 1. Words have a lesser impact on you because you've [a lucky person] who doesn't live a life were they have been used to deny you opportunity and basic hu…

Lol. Gotta love that sexist, racist argument of "you don't understand because you're a white maaaaallle!"
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