4 ms·

The name of this language is stupid. It evokes violence, either via the bullet reference, or via the film of the same name. I'm not thin-skinned or even prone t

The name of this language is stupid. It evokes violence, either via the bullet reference, or via the film of the same name. I'm not thin-skinned or even prone to political correctness, but I still find it slightly insensitive for no compelling reason. Then I read the author's explanation (http://www.fmjlang.co.uk/fmj/Name.html http://www.fmjlang.co.uk/fmj/Name.html), which makes a comparison between lisp (the programming language) and stereotypes about homosexuality (with the requisite "I have gay friends!" disclaimer). Maybe the author should grow up.

ravenstine 8y ago
> I'm not thin-skinned Are you sure about that? The gay thing is weird, yeah, but you basically are thin skinned if the connection between bullets and violence is that bothersome to you. Most people aren't that bothered by references to violence; if they were then violent shows and movies wouldn't be the best-sellers they currently are. What if I wrote a useful library and called it "Bomb"? Would that be insensitive of me?
- caymanjim 8y ago
  I wouldn't have said anything about that if not for the gay bit. I thought about just deleting that part, but I'll let it stand.
- gavinpc 8y ago
  At least "Bomb" would be short. "Full Metal Jacket" is a dreadful name in every sense, worsened only by the author's cringeworthy backstory. To paraphrase the parent, it reeks of immaturity. I "wouldn't hold that against" the tool if it had technical merit.
camtarn 8y ago
Yeah, I find the name very off-putting. It just doesn't sound professional, and I can't picture myself explaining to a client that I would be providing them with Full Metal Jacket source files. In particular, in the UK, I suspect the terminology for bullets is almost unknown, so it would be seen exclusively as a film reference. Call it FMJ and it would be fine, though!
zepto 8y ago
It’s not for Dum-Dums.

ravenstine 8y ago

> I'm not thin-skinned Are you sure about that? The gay thing is weird, yeah, but you basically are thin skinned if the connection between bullets and violence is that bothersome to you. Most people aren't that bothered by references to violence; if they were then violent shows and movies wouldn't be the best-sellers they currently are. What if I wrote a useful library and called it "Bomb"? Would that be insensitive of me?

caymanjim 8y ago
I wouldn't have said anything about that if not for the gay bit. I thought about just deleting that part, but I'll let it stand.
gavinpc 8y ago
At least "Bomb" would be short. "Full Metal Jacket" is a dreadful name in every sense, worsened only by the author's cringeworthy backstory. To paraphrase the parent, it reeks of immaturity. I "wouldn't hold that against" the tool if it had technical merit.

camtarn 8y ago

Yeah, I find the name very off-putting. It just doesn't sound professional, and I can't picture myself explaining to a client that I would be providing them with Full Metal Jacket source files. In particular, in the UK, I suspect the terminology for bullets is almost unknown, so it would be seen exclusively as a film reference. Call it FMJ and it would be fine, though!

zepto 8y ago

It’s not for Dum-Dums.