GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the word 'retard'

Re:GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the ... by Panino on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @11:59AM (#9969481)

The definition you gave appears to be from Merriam Webster [0]. This is a good starting point, but it's crucial to note that the word "censorship" predates the modern web, with publicly read-write websites. So the word publish [1] has been radically altered as well. As for publishing, have a look at the MW examples: they all cite books or magazines. That's an old conception of publishing that clearly needs to be updated.

And censorship is intimately tied to that definition.

  1. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/censor
  2. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/publish

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Re:GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the ... by rrmm on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @12:51PM (#9969892)

Is your objection here based on just the denotation of the word? What's your preferred definition? Are you coming at it from a legal definition (e.g. Black's) or other specific context?

I think the word broadly works in this situation although certainly the leap in context it suggests (from private legal act to illegal governmental action) is unwarranted.

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