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There was another thread commenting on the usage of the term "chick" and how it can be interpreted as derogatory. I agree that this term can be derogatory becau

There was another thread commenting on the usage of the term "chick" and how it can be interpreted as derogatory. I agree that this term can be derogatory because it can be condescending. The commenter who took offense was flagged, and nested replies derided the commenter for taking offense. I am really disappointed to see the hacker news community unable to appreciate the nuance of this discussion. I know this term was not meant to be offensive, but that is not the point. It's important to challenge ourselves to think about these subtle issues. Our prejudices affect our language, and our prejudices are perpetuated by our language. Let's not flag and ban this discussion when it arises.

malvosenior 9y ago
> Let's not flag and ban this discussion when it arises. It has nothing to do with Google banning crypto ads so should be flagged as it distracts from the actual topic we’re trying to discuss.
- s73v3r_ 9y ago
  Then flag and rate limit all the people who responded, too. That said, I don't see that asking someone to express decency and respect when commenting is ever off topic, and should never be flagged.
  - malvosenior 9y ago
    The choice to get offended by something as innocuous as the OP is not something I want in my tech discussions so I flagged it. I’m sure many others feel the same way. We don’t need tone policing here.
    - s73v3r_ 9y ago
      You say "tone policing", I say being respectful.
      - malvosenior 9y ago
        It’s very much with the tone that Sarah herself uses. The tweet in question says: > All of this has gone too far!!!!! It was fine when you paranoid dorks were out there scamming each other, please leave the normies alone!!!!!!!!!!! She’s obviously using a light tone and so is the OP here.
mercer 9y ago
I think for many (myself included) it's not about being unable to appreciate the nuance. It's rather that it gets extremely tiresome to read a comment that 1) seems tonally out of proportion, and 2) comes across as 'white-knighting', as in, policing others on behalf of (hypothetical) others. While I try not to react too strongly to this behavior (and instead see the intention behind it, which I'd say is commendable), I've become rather allergic to this kind of policing. If you're not personally affected, there's no reason for 1 and not always good reason for 2. If you are personally affected, then it would still be preferable to avoid 1, but I can at least understand. I suspect a good proportion of downvoters/flaggers feel this way, and would otherwise happily avoid the term 'chick' if it causes offense.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
mancerayder 9y ago
Discussions about people's feelings should be off limits and flagged here on HN, in my opinion, instead of the no politics policy. It's the race and gender stuff that wastes everyone's time and ruffles feathers on both sides.
CodeMage 9y ago
I was really glad to see that Hacker News community was able to recognize white knighting and deal with it decisively. While it's indisputable that "chick" can be interpreted as derogatory, context is even more important than knee-jerk hair-trigger sensitivity.

malvosenior 9y ago

> Let's not flag and ban this discussion when it arises. It has nothing to do with Google banning crypto ads so should be flagged as it distracts from the actual topic we’re trying to discuss.

s73v3r_ 9y ago
Then flag and rate limit all the people who responded, too. That said, I don't see that asking someone to express decency and respect when commenting is ever off topic, and should never be flagged.
- malvosenior 9y ago
  The choice to get offended by something as innocuous as the OP is not something I want in my tech discussions so I flagged it. I’m sure many others feel the same way. We don’t need tone policing here.
  - s73v3r_ 9y ago
    You say "tone policing", I say being respectful.
    - malvosenior 9y ago
      It’s very much with the tone that Sarah herself uses. The tweet in question says: > All of this has gone too far!!!!! It was fine when you paranoid dorks were out there scamming each other, please leave the normies alone!!!!!!!!!!! She’s obviously using a light tone and so is the OP here.

mercer 9y ago

I think for many (myself included) it's not about being unable to appreciate the nuance. It's rather that it gets extremely tiresome to read a comment that 1) seems tonally out of proportion, and 2) comes across as 'white-knighting', as in, policing others on behalf of (hypothetical) others. While I try not to react too strongly to this behavior (and instead see the intention behind it, which I'd say is commendable), I've become rather allergic to this kind of policing. If you're not personally affected, there's no reason for 1 and not always good reason for 2. If you are personally affected, then it would still be preferable to avoid 1, but I can at least understand. I suspect a good proportion of downvoters/flaggers feel this way, and would otherwise happily avoid the term 'chick' if it causes offense.

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]

mancerayder 9y ago

Discussions about people's feelings should be off limits and flagged here on HN, in my opinion, instead of the no politics policy. It's the race and gender stuff that wastes everyone's time and ruffles feathers on both sides.

CodeMage 9y ago

I was really glad to see that Hacker News community was able to recognize white knighting and deal with it decisively. While it's indisputable that "chick" can be interpreted as derogatory, context is even more important than knee-jerk hair-trigger sensitivity.