[gmx-developers] FW: Gromacs quotes

[Lee-Ping Wang]

I agree with Michael that a moderate solution would best serve our
collective motivations as developers and contributors.  I don't think free
speech is the issue; rather, the main issue is that everything has
consequences, and it's in our best interest to voluntarily avoid saying
things that might endanger the important goal of having a broad and
inclusive user base.

Thanks,

- Lee-Ping

-----Original Message-----
From: gmx-developers-bounces at gromacs.org
[mailto:gmx-developers-bounces at gromacs.org] On Behalf Of Shirts, Michael
(mrs5pt)
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 6:05 AM
To: Discussion list for GROMACS development
Subject: Re: [gmx-developers] FW: Gromacs quotes

Just because one should be allowed to say something doesn't mean its a wise
thing to say it.  To take it to the extreme, if the quotes consisted of a
string of expletives-laden insults, then one could understand how users
might feel uncomfortable, and it would drive users away for no realistic
purpose (at least, no purpose related to science).

Self-censorship CAN be the worst kind of censorship, but filtering out what
speech has the desired result and what speech is counterproductive is what
allows people to actually interact with each other in a civil manner. It's a
matter of whether one chooses not to say something out of fear, or because
it's a counterproductive thing to say.

Best,
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michael Shirts
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Virginia
michael.shirts at virginia.edu
(434)-243-1821


> From: ms <devicerandom at gmail.com>
> Reply-To: Discussion list for GROMACS development 
> <gmx-developers at gromacs.org>
> Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:04:19 +0100
> To: <gmx-developers at gromacs.org>
> Subject: Re: [gmx-developers] FW: Gromacs quotes
> 
> FWIW, I think no self censorship is in order, at all, and I'd be 
> seriously disappointed if these suggestions are accepted.
> 
> Quotes can be disabled by an environment variable, so it's not like 
> they're forced down people's throat. If people *still* get offended at 
> the quotes, they are welcome to use some other software. Self 
> censorship is the worst kind of censorship, and everytime we abide to 
> "sensitivity", we are disintegrating the right for freedom of speech.
> Everything is potentially offensive for someone. Given this logic, one 
> day will we stop using evolutionary algorithms, for example, to avoid 
> offending creationists? This may seem silly, but I'm sure it could happen.
> 
> Since we talk of quotes, here's one by John Stuart Mill:
> 
> "Strange it is that men should admit the validity of the arguments for 
> free speech but object to their being "pushed to an extreme", not 
> seeing that unless the reasons are good for an extreme case, they are 
> not good for any case."
> 
> 
> 
> On 14/12/12 21:55, Shirts, Michael (mrs5pt) wrote:
>> FYI, from my student.  We also have to turn these off in F at H to avoid 
>> complaints.
>> 
>> Might it be time to retire the quotes? Do we feel it has that much of 
>> a purpose?  I wonder if it's causing more trouble than it's worth . . .
>> 
>> Best,
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> Michael Shirts
>> Assistant Professor
>> Department of Chemical Engineering
>> University of Virginia
>> michael.shirts at virginia.edu
>> (434)-243-1821
>> 
>> ------ Forwarded Message
>>> From: Joe Basconi <jbasconi at gmail.com>
>>> Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:52:04 -0500
>>> To: <michael.shirts at virginia.edu>
>>> Subject: Gromacs quotes
>>> 
>>> Prof. Shirts,
>>> 
>>> Just wondering, what's the control process for the little gcq quotes 
>>> Gromacs prints when you run a binary?
>>> 
>>> Most are amusing but some seem to be in poor taste, especially on a 
>>> day like today getting #239, "killing children... " by some software
company.
>>> 
>>> Not sure how these are chosen, but would you feel comfortable 
>>> putting in a word to get things like that out of there? I could 
>>> email if that would be better.
>>> 
>>> Thanks!
>>> 
>>> Joe
>> 
>> ------ End of Forwarded Message
>> 
> 
> 
> --
> Massimo Sandal, Ph.D.
> http://devicerandom.org
> --
> gmx-developers mailing list
> gmx-developers at gromacs.org
> http://lists.gromacs.org/mailman/listinfo/gmx-developers
> Please don't post (un)subscribe requests to the list. Use the www 
> interface or send it to gmx-developers-request at gromacs.org.

--
gmx-developers mailing list
gmx-developers at gromacs.org
http://lists.gromacs.org/mailman/listinfo/gmx-developers
Please don't post (un)subscribe requests to the list. Use the www interface
or send it to gmx-developers-request at gromacs.org.