Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2004 02:47:33 -0500 (EST) From: jsd@jdyson.com To: grog@FreeBSD.org (Greg 'groggy' Lehey) Cc: Stephen McKay <smckay@internode.on.net> Subject: Gratuitious controversy isn't a good thing!!! Message-ID: <200401020747.i027lXj4008818@dyson.jdyson.com> In-Reply-To: <20040102053610.GP78263@wantadilla.lemis.com> from "Greg 'groggy' Lehey" at "Jan 2, 2004 04:06:10 pm"
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Greg 'groggy' Lehey said: > On Friday, 2 January 2004 at 15:25:22 +1000, Stephen McKay wrote: > > I've finally had to edit the fortunes file to remove stuff that is so bad > > that I physically cringe whenever I see it. No matter how I try, I just > > can't see the funny side of it. Yes, it's in the "potentially obscene" > > section, alongside the funniest stuff in the fortunes database. But there > > are limits. > > > > Anyway, today I added a new patch to my list of essential FreeBSD fixes: > > I deleted everything by Rush Limbaugh. That guy just can't do humour. It > > doesn't work as satire, or even parody. It's just awful. > > > > Would anybody object if I commited this one? > > I think the answer would have to be "yes". Though I personally agree > with you about its usefulness, the whole thing about the potentially > offensive fortunes is, of course, that they might offend. Somebody > else might like them. I don't think that anybody should play censor > here. > Just my two cents: (This isn't meant to be the 'meat' of the discussion, but meant as something that will make my suggestion of removing controversial material more clear!!!) I don't find Rush to be offensive, but I find that the politically potty mouthed Al Franken to be incredibly rude. (Note that this isn't meant to be the beginning of a discussion, but as someone who respects Rush, this is meant to clarify my reason for STRONGLY SUGGESTING that Rush's and other divisive quotes be removed.) It isn't 'good' to provide balance by adding more politically charged comments, because it only creates more hurt feelings for more politically sensitive individuals. Perhaps it might be okay to leave-in a humorous insult against Mao, Stalin or Hitler -- because few people would find humor at their expense to be offensive. However, humor about/against current political figures might be a bad idea. I really don't believe that political controversy of this kind is a good thing for FreeBSD. There is enough controversy WRT the GPL thing, or various 'personality' troubles might be divisive enough already. Gratuitiously including unrelated politically controversial stuff is mostly counterproductive for FreeBSD, and cannot even benefit the advocacy that portrays the humor. It only HURTS everyone involved!!! Since someone has shown that they are uncomfortable with quotes from Rush, and the marginal loss to the project by removing the quotes is nil, I STRONGLY suggest that current potentially DIVISIVE political humor be removed. If there is humor from pundits like Franken, Rush, Coulter, Carville, then it should be expunged unless it is politically benign. Mature friends can disagree on political issues, and there are times to discuss these issues, but it would be unfortunate to develop any grudges. The upcoming political season will be especially unpleasant, and it is best to avoid offending FreeBSD collaborators and/or lose project friendships. John
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