You make some valid points. I shall reconsider my position. However, the articles I write, such as "The Smalltalk Revolution" and "Dart is Dead", as well as my "stream of consciousness" blog at Tumblr, must remain true to my style. Artistically, I have no choice. I'd like to make one further note: the handle Generalissimo was NOT selected from the Italian army during WWII. So no one should take offence here. It was used in an excellent Chinese film called " Back to 1942 <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2113822/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_12> ", which impressed me so much that I glommed onto the handle. If you think this reflects poorly on everyone, then I apologize. Jimmie Houchin-5 wrote
I do not think anybody is trying to compel you to be politically correct or intellectually dishonest.
However, most of what you have been doing is being done in the name of marketing. When marketing you choose what words you use and what words you don't use. You choose in order to effect a certain result.
The words you choose have consequences. From the handle you choose to label yourself by, to the words you choose to describe Smalltalk or Pharo.
You are a free person, living in a free part of the world. You make your choices for your words. And you accept the consequences of those choices. Whether for accolades or rebuke or somewhere in between. However, in this context you are also attempting to represent a larger community. You are attempting to represent and market Smalltalk and Pharo. There are many here who are a part of that community will also bear the consequences of words chosen by members of this community.
To my understanding all that is being asked is. Look at the big picture. Choose your words, handles, labels wisely.
Is it politically correct or intellectually dishonest to call you Richard? Can you not be intellectually and artistically honest and choose words for who you are and who you are writing to and for? Are there no other handles which are just as appropriate for you but are better in this context?
I think it can often be just as intellectually dishonest to say, "tough", "deal with it". I like these words and I do not want to make an effort to choose others.
It is not the English language that constrains.
Regarding Paris. My heart and prayers go out to the people of France.
You are not writing political satire. You are attempting to make certain technical, business, policy, ... arguments to market the adoption of Smalltalk and Pharo.
You are not being attacked at all. You are simply being advised of consequences to certain choices.
Choose. Choose well. For the consequences good or bad, are yours.
Jimmie
On 1/18/2015 10:16 AM, horrido wrote:
This is a fine line to tread. I have several problems with self-censorship:
First of all, "Generalissimo" is just a handle. My previous handle, "horrido", was surely objectionable as well, since it's a play on the battle cry associated with the WWII German Luftwaffe ( Horrido: Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe <http://www.amazon.ca/Horrido-Luftwaffe-Raymond-F-Toliver/dp/0553126636>; ).
I admit to being a WWII buff. I have been for many years. Should I apologize for this?
Second, I am firmly and philosophically opposed to Political Correctness. I find it intellectually offensive to my very core. I guess that would make me a lousy politician.
One thing that no one can accuse me of is being intellectually dishonest.
Third, my self-censorship is hardly different from what Muslim terrorists were trying to achieve in Paris last week. Free expression should be protected (as long as it is not foul or vulgar). Any language you use will offend /someone somewhere/ at /some time/ in the world. I try to be sensible and I try to be artistically honest. This is reflected in my writings. There will always be people who find my style distasteful. There isn't much I can do about that.
sebastian@
wrote
Sometimes you want to polarise people but there is nothing interesting as output of this particular one, please consider review that inner joke Richard
So I agree, that this particular vocabulary will polarise people in an inconvenient way.
On Jan 18, 2015, at 6:30 AM, jtuchel@ wrote: Horrido,
You are aware that there are regions on this planet where mails containing vocabulary like Blitzkrieg or Genaralissimo will evoke reactions that will not help at ll. You are at risk to simply be ignored in the best case. In the worst case, people will hsake their heads and associate Smalltalk with a certain kind of political spam they receive from time to time.
Joachim
Von: horrido <mailto: horrido.hobbies@ > Gesendet: âSamstagâ, â17â. âJanuarâ â2015 â16â:â15 An: Any question about pharo is welcome <mailto: pharo-users@.pharo > http://horridohobbies.tumblr.com/ <http://horridohobbies.tumblr.com/>;
*Today is the one-month anniversary of the SRP.* We have made good progress, but there is still much work ahead of us.
Shortly, I will be seeking corporate sponsorship. As well, I'm trying to coordinate activities with the Smalltalk Foundation.
Later this summer, I will be pushing my "Small Minds Initiative," a sub-campaign of the SRP to get Smalltalk into the classroom. I will begin with the Toronto District School Board.
Are we pumped yet?!
Generalissimo
-- View this message in context: http://forum.world.st/Blitzkrieg-tp4800165.html Sent from the Pharo Smalltalk Users mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
-- View this message in context: http://forum.world.st/Blitzkrieg-tp4800165p4800229.html Sent from the Pharo Smalltalk Users mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
-- View this message in context: http://forum.world.st/Blitzkrieg-tp4800165p4800240.html Sent from the Pharo Smalltalk Users mailing list archive at Nabble.com.