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Topic: Should software be just about the code? (Read 441 times) previous topic - next topic
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Should software be just about the code?

The other day I was checking out some hardware on amazon. I came across a CrapBook Air and I looked at the reviews.
Basically I saw a review which showed a picture of the menu where Crapple decided to use gender neutral language.

Instead of "Benutzer" which means "user" they went with "Benutzer:Innen" which is supposed to be a political correct way of saying "dear consoomers, we don't just mean "user" but we mean the "user" as in "men and women" just to make sure everyone really gets it". LOL

This is probably one of the dumbest things I have seen recently. No one asked for this!

I know that Micro$oft has also started experimenting with ads in the file manager / menus which is another can of worms...

What are your thoughts on this? Should software be just about the code or is the future of technology also more about other things, like inclusiveness, emotions, political correctness and marketing opportunities rather than just the code?

Re: Should software be just about the code?

Reply #1 –
I think it's inevitable that "politics" (maybe cultural pressure might be a more appropriate term) would bleed into tech.  Although you would expect that the autistic stem enthusiasts who design and build our gadgets couldn't care less about these things (and most likely they don't), the companies they work for have many other departments, some of them exist solely because of and for these cultural pressures.

That being said even this discussion is a can of worms, as you will potentially draw the ire of forum users by expressing political views, even if those views are only expressed through a disbelief that the political views of others are bleeding into your tech.

Something along these lines happened to the developers of hyprland I'm pretty sure (although I don't know the details).  And another great example of this kind of thing is the somewhat obscure game called "Domina" which was removed from steam because the developer made light of certain politically-charged social issues.

Also the Sweet Baby Inc. controversy comes to mind.

I could say more, but again this is a touchy subject so I will refrain from expressing too much of my own personal beliefs ;P

Re: Should software be just about the code?

Reply #2 –
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I think it's inevitable that "politics" (maybe cultural pressure might be a more appropriate term) would bleed into tech.  Although you would expect that the autistic stem enthusiasts who design and build our gadgets couldn't care less about these things (and most likely they don't), the companies they work for have many other departments, some of them exist solely because of and for these cultural pressures.

This argument rings true in my own experience. A lot of Linux projects appear to be much more politically charged than projects like OpenBSD where the tech seems to be the main focus of attention.

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That being said even this discussion is a can of worms, as you will potentially draw the ire of forum users by expressing political views, even if those views are only expressed through a disbelief that the political views of others are bleeding into your tech.

That may be true but it is definitely not my intention to find the perfect political viewpoint. The question is not really what kind of politics should be incorporated but rather if politics should be incorporated at all. I am aware that there is a spectrum to all of this because the pendulum always seems to swing one way or another, be it through cultural pressures like you mentioned or through other external factors that lie outside the control of the individual.

Regardless of politics do you think that the 'victor writes history' in a sense? Should the most powerful decide? Who has the last word in these matters? What happens to those who do not follow along? Is it all just a big hoax / conspiracy? Those are just some hypothetical questions I am thinking out loud at the moment of writing this.

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I could say more, but again this is a touchy subject so I will refrain from expressing too much of my own personal beliefs ;P

Makes sense. Thank you for sharing your perspective so far. :)

Re: Should software be just about the code?

Reply #3 –
'Inclusiveness'

Proper Doublethink word.
They (Whoever 'they' are? Generally doesn't seem to be anybody we elected?) get to decide what comprises a Thoughtcrime.
Anyone found to be guilty of a Thoughtcrime will be excluded from everything for the sake of inclusiveness.

There is only a life sentence, no right of appeal, and transgressions made prior to to your Thoughtcrime being added to the list of Thoughtcrimes still result in a guilty verdict.

Say nothing to anybody ever, about anything, on any medium.
It's the safest way as we strive to make this world a better and more inclusive place.

Re: Should software be just about the code?

Reply #4 –
Speaking personally, I don't really care as long as the product itself is good. Thats the thing though, people make tech about politics too much and not as much about the code. That is why I appreciate Artix so much as a distro. I don't care what you are or who you vote for, or what you identify as. As long as the product is worth it.

As for the quality of Macbooks, IMO they are just for people who want to look hip. They are the Teslas of laptops. All show, no quality. It is not worth the hefty price tag, or putting up with the proprietary software/hardware or the lack of customization.
 

Re: Should software be just about the code?

Reply #5 –
Definiton for clarification:
Woke/wokeness: any political messaging subliminal or not that promotes western progressivism.
Who are you referring to when you say their/them/they? Woke people.
Oppression Olympics: https://web.archive.org/web/20240509180243/http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/855/334/db2.jpg
                                    https://web.archive.org/web/20240218173528/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oppression_Olympics

Yes, software should and must be for software only. Not everyone has the same beliefs as each other. Even if one tries to make a "code of conduct" for "inclusivity" (This is more of a way an attempt to do tone policing and control). This cultural warfare has been going on for nearly a decade (at-least the time that it has started to go on rampant). This goes past way software. This problem extends to the entertainment and education systems on the west. Is also within company workplaces (I blame HRs for this). It's a malignant cancer.

The irony is that for an ideology(wokeness) that promotes "inclusivity" I've never seen so much division and exclusivity. Say you believe there's only two genders. They would do everything to try to ruin your life. It can go such as from calling names to doxxing to outright physically harming, and/or swatting you. And at times they even do it in groups. True inclusivity would be that they would just accept that one thinks differently and just go on their day. Streamers that were playing Hogwarts Legacy is a good example for this. (They were attacked just for playing it.)

If you have read up to this point without getting triggered and calling me names then good it's on purpose that i have stated this in the last part of the post since those types of people never get past the first sentence. If I were to list my stats over here I would go 1st place in their Oppression Olympics. Why Am I stating this at the last part? If you're one of the few woke people that actually managed to read all the way down and still think I'm what I think of you will call me or accuse me of then congratulations you have just proven my point.