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Re:GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the ... by forrestthewoods on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @01:20AM (#9966406)
False. When Trey Parker and Matt Stone wished to show Muhammad in South Park Comedy Central overruled them and placed a big black censored box over Muhammad in the cartoon. If you want to say that a black box with the word censored doesn't qualify as censorship then you're retarded.

You are ever correct that GitHub can ban the word if they want. They're fully within their legal right to do so.

Re:GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the ... by thedz on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @01:24AM (#9966419)
I think where the confusion comes from is that along with many cries of "censorship", there is often a subtext of "this is illegal" or "this is not allowed".
Re:GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the ... by eastbayjake on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @01:30AM (#9966449)
> If you want to say that a black box with the word censored doesn't qualify as censorship then you're regarded.

This is a definition of censorship that removes any useful descriptive meaning from the word. It's not censorship when I refuse to listen to offensive things or refuse to repeat them to others or allow you to graffiti it on the side of my house. Similarly, it's not censorship when a private company declines to let you use its private resources to say whatever you want.

The difference between these types of "censorship" and scary, actual government censorship is that GitHub doesn't have the authority to hold a gun to your head and compel you to be quiet. You can take your repo and host it privately and say whatever you want. Comedy Central didn't have the authority to compel Trey Parker and Matt Stone to be quiet. Parker and Stone could have terminated their contracts and posted a Mohammed cartoon through some other channel.

You rob censorship of its depth of meaning -- compulsory silencing by force -- when you apply it to private actors choosing not to use their private resources to promote others' speech.

Re:GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the ... by forrestthewoods on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @01:41AM (#9966489)
I could not possibly disagree with you any more strongly. I'm far from alone in my opinion. I may even be on the majority side. That doesn't make me right of course. But it is worth your consideration.

I could defend my stance. I think you're probably smart and probably know almost everything I'd say. If that's the case then we're resigned to agree to disagree.