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Who Was It Who Said 'You Can't Be Serious?'

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DTCwordfan | 21:26 Wed 16th Nov 2022 | News
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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/11/15/universities-told-teach-colonialism-white-supremacy-even-computing/

Unbelievable - a 100 yards, a kilometer or even ten miles too far. What the hell does slavery have to do with current mathematics - other than some bizarre historical angle and whether there were some extratraneous correlation factors, from how many folk could be packed on a boat from the Ile de Goré and the anticipated 'expiration' rate?
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One can make a case to show that there is no (compelling) reason for anything. The real issue is whether one has a reason to avoid or remove something, and in that case the answer is a resounding no. It's just a further example of PC, snowflake, wokery trying to be inflicted on normal intelligent individuals.
Perlease!
//I am fairly sure I never thought about black or any other type of human slavery when discussing master/slave technologies//

And almost certainly neither has more than 99% of the population.

//However if some people have a problem with it then in principle I don't see a good reason not to change it,//

It depends whether you’re willing to pander to the sensitivities of such a small minority. Incredible as it may appear to them, eradicating the phrase “master/slave” from our vocabulary will not expunge the practice of slavery from history. If that’s not what the malcontents are trying to achieve, just why are they taking such a stance?
//It depends whether you’re willing to pander to the sensitivities of such a small minority. //

If the only reason not to do it is not to be seen to pander to some people's sensitivities then I would say that is not a good reason. There are other, more practical reasons not to change things and I believe that in the cases I work with they outweigh the perceived benefits.

// Incredible as it may appear to them, eradicating the phrase “master/slave” from our vocabulary will not expunge the practice of slavery from history. If that’s not what the malcontents are trying to achieve, just why are they taking such a stance? //

This is about the long and short of the view of those that want change:

"Research has shown that the use of the word “slave” evokes strong feelings of degradation and human rights issues. It carries with it the association to the brutal and dehumanizing institution of slavery. Even though in the usage of the term for electronic circuits there is no implied offense, the term harbors racist views. It evokes images of times past and by continuing the use of the language today, it gives credence to the idea that it is okay to continue such relationships; therefore it still has power. To that end, I envision nothing but a positive effect in the industry if the term is eliminated."

From https://www.eetimes.com/its-time-for-ieee-to-retire-master-slave/

//If the only reason not to do it is not to be seen to pander to some people's sensitivities then I would say that is not a good reason.//

I would say it is. Too many “sensitivities” are pandered to for no good reason. If the term “master and slave”, used as you describe “…evokes strong feelings of degradation and human rights issues” then those affected need to get out more and find something useful to occupy their minds.

Whatever this “research” consisted of, nobody ever asked me what I think. If they had, I would have explained that the only connotation I have of the term is in electronics, as you describe, or in the motor industry where “slave” cylinders are used in braking and - sometimes, though not often now - clutch systems.

We will have to agree to differ on this one!
I agree there is too much pandering in general however in this case I can see the valid point - I just think that the issue isn't so great that it warrants the effort it is and will take to address it.

Agree to differ indeed but I don't think we are too far apart for a change!

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