General > General Technical Chat
'Master' and 'slave': Tech terms face scrutiny amid anti-racism efforts
<< < (11/352) > >>
Alex Eisenhut:
Boss and employee?
Simon:

--- Quote from: ataradov on June 11, 2020, 07:16:24 am ---Next they will go for male and female connectors :)

Those are just words. There is no need to eliminate them from the language entirely if they were used for bad things in one specific context.

--- End quote ---

They already have. Try reading D38999 literature and that of similar connectors Male pins are pins and Female Pins are Socket pins. Sockets are called receptacles which i guess is just a posher name. I always call them plugs/sockets and male/female pins and female employees at connector suppliers also use the same terminology.

As for master/slave I had this problem at work, our jumped up sales manager demanded I change it all because of "cultural sensitivities" that he reckons he is an expert on, as well as everything else he deems you to have gotten wrong. Primary and secondary  is what I came up with but that was not at all apt to describe two similar units, one with the ECU in it and one without.

What the hell do you call something that is functionally a slave?
Simon:
master was also used in older English to refer to ones employer by trainee employees as the employer was a master of the trade.
tpowell1830:
This again? On an EE forum?

First, I would ask how these terms are racist, since there have been many cultures/ethnicities enslaved. Second, I doubt that those enslaved really care what you call it, they just don't want to be enslaved. Third, this IS fascism at its finest to start controlling the words one can say (2+2=5), say it... (George Orwell, "1984")

In the world of the easily offended, if you change a word or phrase that a group of people want changed, they (the group) will move the goalposts. There is no end to this... "We don't think that you believe 2+2=5, but you are just saying it..."

Say your words with meaning and purpose, with humility and intent. Let everyone else sort out their "feelings" about them. Some people will get offended no matter what you say.

Last, if you are concerned about someone who is enslaved, do something about it, stop slavery, not words about slavery.
Simon:

--- Quote from: julianhigginson on June 11, 2020, 08:16:45 am ---Primary and secondary would work fine as a replacement for master/slave. Most people are capable of adjusting to meanings.... Well except for fragile angry white guys, apparently.

--- End quote ---

Not really. It denotes an amount of autonomy of the secondary. I have for example looked at a system where i anted a primary master and secondary master should the primary master fail. Master/slaves it is!
Navigation
Message Index
Next page
Previous page
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...

Go to full version
Powered by SMFPacks Advanced Attachments Uploader Mod