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

[spdustin]

Yes, the developer had every right to say retard. 100% correct. And if they said it in front of me, I'd have every right to kick them, hard. Both of us will have paid a price, sure, but hey, freedom of speech wasn't violated.

You're free to call me a retard. I'm free to kick you for doing it. Everybody wins. But your calling me a retard isn't a divinely bestowed right to get away with it without a response just because you had the right to say it. GitHub chose to respond. The author chose to comply with the request. Done and done.

[gizmo686 → spdustin]

>And if they said it in front of me, I'd have every right to kick them, hard.

Where do you live? In most countries, that would be assault, and is considered a crime.

[scruple → gizmo686]

Just to nitpick... Battery is the physical act. Assault is telling someone that you're going to kick them, hard, and giving them the impression that you intend to actually do so. Both of these things are criminal, obviously.

But apparently saying $BAD_WORD is, too. /s

[saryant → spdustin]

If your response to someone using the word "retard" is physical assault, I'd say the problem isn't with the other person.

[echlebek → spdustin]

You're not free to kick someone that calls you a retard. That is assault, which is a crime in most places on earth. I thought every adult would know that, but here we are.

Sticks and stones.