Linux Kernel's New Code of Conduct Results in F-Word Being Replaced with "Hugs"

Megalith

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When Linux adopted its new Code of Conduct, many predicted it would lead to increasing censorship, and that appears to be exactly what is happening: in a new patch series, all instances of the f-bomb have been replaced by the word “hugs.” Neowin points out that many of the comments (e.g., “some Athlon laptops have really hugged PST tables”) just sound confusing.

Surprisingly, at least with this initial patch series, it's just 33 lines of changed comments out of 3.3+ million lines of code comments within the kernel source tree, but we'll see what other words may get cleaned up next for making the Linux kernel more inviting to all. Linus Torvalds has also cleaned up his colorful language and refrained from any outbursts on the mailing list since his brief retreat during the 4.19 cycle.
 
When does this stop protecting the snowflakes and hurt the liberty of others ? I mean at some points everything anyone does may offense someone... where is the line !? (Examples: Eat meat, kiss on the bus, fart in the plane (LOL))
Me I hate when people put volume to 1,3,5,7,9 etc numbers and swap it to 2,4,6,8 etc... Should I ask that all numbers be like that !? And yes, that tickle me to the bone more than a F word.
This is getting out of control. I want to curse, so be it... You make me lose valuable time at work, you bet I'll be mad and may tell you to pound sand.

Anyway, guess we can't win this one.
 
Wow, that's idiotic. I mean at least use a non-offensive direct replacement if you are such a special snowflake, like "frak", "frell", "smeg"...
 
Wow, that's idiotic. I mean at least use a non-offensive direct replacement if you are such a special snowflake, like "frak", "frell", "smeg"...

It's not the word itself that is the problem. The problem is that people can't conduct themselves in a professional matter. Replacing an f-bomb with a beep or a censored f-bomb like word doesn't improve things.

This replacement may just work because it makes fun of people dropping F-bombs in their code comments, and they probably don't want their code comments making fun of them.

I approve of this. It's hilarious.
 
It's not the word itself that is the problem. The problem is that people can't conduct themselves in a professional matter. Replacing an f-bomb with a beep or a censored f-bomb like word doesn't improve things.

This replacement may just work because it makes fun of people dropping F-bombs in their code comments, and they probably don't want their code comments making fun of them.

I approve of this. It's hilarious.

As an experienced software engineer, while I don't use the word myself, I have seen plenty of cases where an f* word comment by a programmer is completely understandable and thus not un-professional. I've never worked with a developer, male or female, who would get offended coming across something like that (and probably wouldn't want to work with one).
That said, the f* word can be used in an offensive or unprofessional manner as well, and I haven't looked at the specific cases in the Linux kernel code, but a blanket replacement with a word that makes no sense is stupid.
 
And people claim Linux users are hostile - We replace cussing with hugs, you can't get any less hostile than that! :kiss:
 
As an experienced software engineer, while I don't use the word myself, I have seen plenty of cases where an f* word comment by a programmer is completely understandable and thus not un-professional. I've never worked with a developer, male or female, who would get offended coming across something like that (and probably wouldn't want to work with one).
That said, the f* word can be used in an offensive or unprofessional manner as well, and I haven't looked at the specific cases in the Linux kernel code, but a blanket replacement with a word that makes no sense is stupid.

I'm not offended by the word. I use it in private settings with friends.

I'd however argue that there is no professional setting where that level of veribage is OK.

People should not be directly confronting or criticizing each other or their work in a professional setting. If you have critique for someones work you offer it politely, in private, and phrase it constructively, not in an insulting fashion.

Rule Number One: Praise in publicerad, critique in private

The F word is an emotional intensifier of something either good or bad. It's inappropriate to be that emotional in a professional setting. Always offer measured responses.
 
I'm not offended by the word. I use it in private settings with friends.

I'd however argue that there is no professional setting where that level of veribage is OK.

People should not be directly confronting or criticizing each other or their work in a professional setting. If you have critique for someones work you offer it politely, in private, and phrase it constructively, not in an insulting fashion.

Rule Number One: Praise in publicerad, critique in private

The F word is an emotional intensifier of something either good or bad. It's inappropriate to be that emotional in a professional setting. Always offer measured responses.

Well, then complain to Linus T then...…….
 
Very corporate. The worst intimidation, bullying and general unpleasantness in the workplace can take place without a single profanity being uttered, but big companies can't detect "tone", or if they did, it would just be a managerial excuse to punish someone for an unfalsifiable crime.

Hugs are not a problem for most places outside of a daycare or church group, in themselves, if they are being used as part of verbal abuse, it's just a symptom of a much deeper and trickier problem to address.

But I do love how Americans will litter the ground about their feet with B-words, motherhuggers and motherhugging B-words, then flinch and look like someone was just murdered at the sight of a C-word.
 
Man this is some hugged up stuff. Just hugged I tell ya.

edit:
upload_2018-12-1_19-39-37.jpeg
 
I'd however argue that there is no professional setting where that level of veribage is OK.

You can argue all you want, but someone from a specific profession that is clearly not yours just explained in what context that word would be accepted.

In any case, it seems the code change won't go through, the other devs call the changes insane (http://lkml.iu.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/1811.3/07161.html). Oh, and they point out the CoC does not apply to existing code.
 
This makes me smile. Yet as a Canadian and a professional swearist, I would be hugged without the most important parts of my hugging vocabulary.

Huggin' hell, hug the huggin' huggers.

 
I think it says a lot about what goes on in your head if you have to throw needless emotion into your code.
 
It's all a big joke. The passive aggressive behavior still exists. When people repeat the same mistakes, miss deadlines, submit barely working or buggy code, go against requests or standard procedures sure you can be nice about it but don't expect results or reciprocation. The tone Torvalds sets has influence but at the end of the day he certainly can't be blamed for the behavior of others.

Sometimes you have to flatly point out problems and yes people do take things personally. There is too much subjective opinionated emotional sensitivity and not enough unification (teamwork), direction or common goals. If you want to blame Torvalds for something, let it be a lack of leadership but he's already making an effort to adapt his ways.

The last thing the Linux community needs is another distraction, censorship or encouragement of manipulative bullying tactics under the guise of moral high ground and inclusion. There's too much division and negative criticism as it is. This is just a huge wrench thrown into an existing clusterhug.

A code of conduct in theory may seem like a step in the right direction, but implementation was rushed due to pressure (dare I say intimidation) and certainly things will not improve until there is an acknowledgement of all disruptive behavior in the community (not code comments, lol) and addressed appropriately.

People like to get things done; if you are distracting, being illogical, find yourself emotionally compromised or otherwise fail to deliver and be excellent to others please get out of the kitchen before someone else asks you to leave.
 
I can't wait until I hear "Hug you, you Motherhugger!!"

In primetime, on a major show.

It will happen, just wait. :)
 
Oooooh, my mom surely does get pissed when I call my dog a 'son of a bitch.' I especially like using baby-talk when I'm scratching his ears. "Are you a son of a bitch? Are you a good son of a bitch? What a good son of a bitch you are!"
Nice one, dude. I like this very much.
 
So does this mean huggy bears are actually...hmmm guess I won't get any of them for the tykes on my xmas list. Couldn't they at least be a little less childish and substitute #@#$@ which newspapers have been using for like hundreds of years?
 
Why would they fucking do that??
This is the stupidest thing I have seen in a while from any software.
 
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