10 ms·

Can't we just keep software and politics separate? Do we really need to divide ourselves in yet another area because of differences of opinion?

humancontact 13y ago
Unfortunately there's no division as to where politics is allowed to interfere. From Wikipedia[1]: Politics is the process observed in all human (and many non-human) group interactions by which groups make decisions, including activism on behalf of specific issues or causes. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_%28disambiguation%29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_%28disambiguation%29
icebraining 13y ago
You can shut your eyes and pretend that they're separate, but that doesn't make it true. One's political and ethical views deeply influence how they act, particular towards others. EDIT: This is a general point, not an opinion on the current issue.
sdegutis 13y ago
Disclaimer: I'm pretty orthodox Catholic and thus firmly disagree with most software programmers on topics that are often discussed here. But I don't boycott emacs just because the authors are atheists (I actually use emacs full time for work now). And I don't boycott software whose maintainers are pro-choice or whatever else. Boycotting software because of political or religious differences isn't going to help software, it's only going to further unnecessary dissension instead of fostering understanding and personal change.
- vdaniuk 13y ago
  No, you should not help software per se. You should help software to change the world for the better, that's what matters.
wrongc0ntinent 13y ago
The personal attachment that comes with using a good brand in this field isn't trivial, and it should be expected that users project their sensibilities on the brand. Being politically neutral in the view of its users should have been a priority for DP, regardless of which powerful gatekeepers to world markets are on Rice's speed dial.

humancontact 13y ago

Unfortunately there's no division as to where politics is allowed to interfere. From Wikipedia[1]: Politics is the process observed in all human (and many non-human) group interactions by which groups make decisions, including activism on behalf of specific issues or causes. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_%28disambiguation%29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_%28disambiguation%29

icebraining 13y ago

You can shut your eyes and pretend that they're separate, but that doesn't make it true. One's political and ethical views deeply influence how they act, particular towards others. EDIT: This is a general point, not an opinion on the current issue.

sdegutis 13y ago

Disclaimer: I'm pretty orthodox Catholic and thus firmly disagree with most software programmers on topics that are often discussed here. But I don't boycott emacs just because the authors are atheists (I actually use emacs full time for work now). And I don't boycott software whose maintainers are pro-choice or whatever else. Boycotting software because of political or religious differences isn't going to help software, it's only going to further unnecessary dissension instead of fostering understanding and personal change.

vdaniuk 13y ago
No, you should not help software per se. You should help software to change the world for the better, that's what matters.

wrongc0ntinent 13y ago

The personal attachment that comes with using a good brand in this field isn't trivial, and it should be expected that users project their sensibilities on the brand. Being politically neutral in the view of its users should have been a priority for DP, regardless of which powerful gatekeepers to world markets are on Rice's speed dial.