Developer Misinterprets Linux Code of Conduct, Suggests Replacing F-Word with 'Hug' (neowin.net)

Seeking compliance with Linux's new Code of Conduct, Intel software engineer Jarkko Sakkinen recently requested comments on a set of changes to kernel code comments which Neowin described as "replacing the F-word with 'hug'. "

80 comments quickly followed on the Linux Kernel Maintainer's List: Several contributors responded to the alterations calling them insane. One wondered if Sakkinen was just trying to make a joke, and another called it censorship and said he'd refuse to apply any sort of patches like this to the code he's in charge of...

Some of the post-change comments read "Some Athlon laptops have really hugged PST tables", "If you don't see why, please stay the hug away from my code", and "Only Sun can take such nice parts and hug up the programming interface".
Eventually LWN.net publisher Jonathan Corbet deflated most of the controversy by pointing out that Linux's new Code of Conduct applies to future comments but clearly indicates that it does not apply explicitly to past comments.

And Jarkko Sakkinen acknowledged that he had missed that part of the discussion.

Comments

Snowflake developers can hug off

[mfearby]

If seeing the F-word in the Linux source code is a bit too much for you, then perhaps you'd be better off making yet another set of pretty icons for GNOME or KDE.

Re:Snowflake developers can hug off

[JaredOfEuropa]

This argument comes up in any discussion about what language we should use. The choice of language is somewhat secondary; what really matters is the exact meaning of the word "should" in that sentence. Or rather: what the consequences are of using the wrong language - in any situation. Most people would agree that it's better not to use swear words or insults, but what happens if someone does? Being told off for bad manners, having bad words censored, seeing your pull request denied or your paper rejected, public shaming, being ostracized from the community, fired, or even prosecuted in court? When people talk about acceptable language in their communities these days, the full range of those consequences will be openly discussed and often seriously considered.

It's good to have a code of conduct - written or unwritten - in any community, but when transgressions carry serious consequences, you'll invariably see some perverted snowflakes push the boundaries of what's acceptable, and gleefully call out violators, especially those with opposing viewpoints. Can't say fuck anymore. Or black. Or master / slave. Peek and poke? Nope. Male / female connectors are out. Can't insult anyone or anything... and you violate that rule whenever someone, anyone feels insulted. Or just crabby.

Codes of conduct regarding acceptable language are best left unwritten, and are certainly best left undiscussed at length. Because the more you discuss them, the more you formalize them, the worse they get.

Oh, brother

[93 Escort Wagon]

I can't hugging believe this...

Re:Oh, brother

[rl117]

I know you meant it as a joke, but language can change exactly like this. When I was at school, a popular insult was to call people a "spaz" (spastic). Because of its use as a generic insult, some do-gooders required everyone to refer to disabled people as "special". Result: "special" becomes a generic insult. Like: "You're a bit special, aren't you" is equivalent to "you're a spaz" or "you're a retard". More recently, the charity the Spastic Society renamed themselves to "Scope". Result: spastic children are now insultingly referred to as "scopers". So the word "scope" is now also an insult in its own right. The point being, no matter how much do-gooders and SJWs clamp down on acceptable language use, the remaining "permitted" words will be adapted to replace them, turning the "new inclusive terminology" on its own head. This isn't a battle they can win, because human nature, at its nastiest best, will always be creative enough to come up with new "bad" language! And while I don't condone bullying or insulting, it does make me happy to see people sticking their fingers up at the SJW-enforced norms.

Such a good use of time

[alvinrod]

I'm glad to see that the code of conduct is resulting such good use of developer time.

These sad, sad people clearly need a hug.

Re:Such a good use of time

[jfdavis668]

I think you need a hug.

Re:I don't give two shits about the word fuck

[Z80a]

Intent of controlling speech until the project turns into a dystopian nightmare? as soon this kind of people get the hands on the hammer, everything goes to hell.
I seem examples on all the sides, even non political sides where it's the same.
The thin skinned guy gets the control over the thing and starts to overreach more and more until the thing is dead.
Even places like chans can fall for this, with a guy wanting to "combat the cancer" ending up permabanning people for grammar errors or liking the wrong video game console.

Re: Doesn't this beg the question...

[Anonymous Coward]

You can bloody well go fuck yourself for trying to equate colorful language with racist speech.

Re:"Fuck" is not professional

[alvinrod]

You must be pretty damn sanctimonious to have never used "fuck" or any other language someone else might find objectionable in a professional setting. Maybe you have the benefit of only working with individuals just as or more competent than yourself, but there are some people who need to be told to stay the fuck away from something, or they will fuck it up and make a real fucking mess of things.

Myself, I'd rather be told to "fuck off" if I need to be. If I think it's out of line, I'll let you know. If I think you're being an abusive asshole, I'll let you know that too. Otherwise I'd rather not sit through some milquetoast discussion where it feels like someone is trying to address a five year old child that shouldn't hear the bad words. Frankly, that's more dehumanizing than someone being pissed off.

Equal Rights means...

[Anonymous Coward]

It's a good idea to treat people with respect.

But saying a piece of hardware fucked up some table is not attacking a person. We're going too far with the SJW speech-police. Sometimes it's necessary to make a point strongly.

If you want equal rights, that means you don't get to demand special protections for your feelings. Equal means equal: you should be adult enough to accept that the real world has some level of swearing in it.

This kind of thing is a cancer and will spread if it isn't carved out. Eventually we'll be more focused on policing speech than on technology. It will not end well.

Re:Equal Rights means...

[ClickOnThis]

What does this have to do with equality? This is about civility.

There have been many professions that have achieved a practice of civility without sacrificing value. I see no reason why software development can't do the same.

Bad rules are always open for interpretation

[guruevi]

That's why these kinds of exercises always end up in disaster. If your rule is any more complex than "Nobody shall prohibit anyone their natural rights to freedom of speech" it ALWAYS ends up being initially misinterpreted, and later abused by those in power.

Re:"Fuck" is not professional

[Anonymous Coward]

Why do you assume that anyone who would say "stay the fuck away from my code" must be a male? Is it not possible for a female programmer to say that? Would that be toxic femininity?

It's hard to keep track of all these bigoted memes the Left invents each day to signal how non-bigoted they are.

Re:I don't give two shits about the word fuck

[DNS-and-BIND]

The intent of controlling other people's speech is pretty fucking bad.

Re:I don't give two shits about the word fuck

[DNS-and-BIND]

So using the word fuck is being an asshole now? Wow, you people really are fragile snowflakes.

I always wondered about that creepy guy

[ChunderDownunder]

in the town square with the cardboard sign that said Free Hugs.

Shouldn't that be Libre Hugs?

Re:"Fuck" is not professional

[HornWumpus]

Bullshit, we don't hate female coders, we hate having incompetent coders on our team.

Good female coders also hate fixing incompetents shit, can and do cuss like sailors.

How do you tell someone's sex over the internet anyhow? rChromosomeTest.exe?