Discrimination :(

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Okay, first off... originally, after I'd written this, I decided not to post it, as it sounds a little angry, but, let me assure you, it's not intended in that way, before someone jumps up and takes offence at me for it, but, I've seen a few instances of discrimination today that've pushed me over the edge, and, not just on this site, but, over one of my friends houses tonight, we had a frank discussion about this sort of thing, and, a few other things on the net have been setting me off today, and, more than one instance even on this site have left me in a position where I feel that I'm left with little choice but to post my views on discrimination in all of it's forms, because, IT IS BAD and there is just no need for it ... so, anyway, enjoy ... -------------------------------Howdy all, I was just reading something (yet again) about someone making a case against racial slurs, now, none of you know what colour my skin is, though you can probably guess that I have a christian background due to one or two of my posts here (though none practicing I might add) anyway, I've grown up in a world without racism... not because I choose not to see it, but, because, I simply believe that a person is a person, and, liking or disliking someone for the colour of their skin, racial background, sexual orientation, or even religious background is an incredibly stupid thing to do, I choose to believe that there is no colour other than what we as people allow ourselves to see, and the same for religion, or even sexual orientation... I am, as you all must have realised by now, as straight as an arrow, but I really don't see the problem with anyone being gay or bi ... I've even been hit on before, which, I take as quite a compliment, if a little scary to me, cause, I never quite know what to say!! lolThere are however so many people out there who will use a racial slur against someone, and, it pains me to hear this, I have caucasion friends, black friends, indian friends, oriental friends... hell, you name it, there is probably someone from a religion, race, or sexual orientation who is my friend, inside we are all the same, and, you still don't know what colour I am, and I ask you, other than curiosity due to my writing this, what would it matter? ... so, I think that proves a point in itself, if you like or dislike me for what I've posted before, what should a colour, religion or sexual orientation have to do with anything, but, I guarantee to someone it will, but, I put it to you all, I was bought up by my parents to see past all of that, and, we can do the same, in fact, most of us already do without realising when we're on here, and, what I was reading before (it's unfair to state what, as it draws attention to certain individuals) just reminded me of a (now rather old) manifesto I found, from when the term hacker wasn't exclusively used to describe (lets be technical here) a cracker, or a person committing a data crime, in fact, before I get any further (and I really had to hunt to find this definition as it's so old now) this is the true definition of a hacker: 1. a programmer for whom computing is its own reward "true hackers subscribe to a code of ethics and look down upon crackers" 2. A person who "hacks" away at a keyboardAnyway, now that's out of the way, I would say we are all hackers (in that we subscribe to a code of ethics with each other, and, we all use a computer, whether you realise it or not, typing a web address is in fact a script (http = Hyper Text Transfer Protocol for example)) on one level or another, so, I would say this manifesto still stands for something, especially somewhere like here where there is no colour or creed, simply the bit and the byte Anyway, this is what came to mind... excerpts taken from: The Hacker Manifesto courtesy of +++The Mentor+++ circa January 8 1986:---"And then it happened... a door opened to a world... rushing through the phone line like heroin through an addict's veins, an electronic pulse is sent out, a refuge from the day-to-day incompetencies is sought... a board is found. "This is it... this is where I belong..." I know everyone here... even if I've never met them, never talked to them, may never hear from them again... I know you all...This is our world now... the world of the electron and the switch, the beauty of the baud. We make use of a service already existing without paying for what could be dirt-cheap if it wasn't run by profiteering gluttons, and you call us criminals. We explore... and you call us criminals. We seek after knowledge... and you call us criminals. We exist without skin color, without nationality, without religious bias... and you call us criminals. You build atomic bombs, you wage wars, you murder, cheat, and lie to us and try to make us believe it's for our own good, yet we're the criminals.Yes, I am a criminal. My crime is that of curiosity. My crime is that of judging people by what they say and think, not what they look like. My crime is that of outsmarting you, something that you will never forgive me for."---So it is, we can and do on a daily basis beat the system, we talk to each other from all over the world for less than even a 10th the cost a phone call would cost to each others nations, yet, can any of you honestly say you know the race/colour/religion/orientation of everyone you speak to? if you do, I would say you have severe issues, as life is much bigger than carrying hatred... it is much harder to live life, and love than it is to carry on generations of hate against anyone, be they of whatever race, religion, and/or sexual orientation we all have a right to life, and, to live that life without fear, I would challenge any of you who are racially, religiously, or sexual biassed here to explain to me why, in reasons NOT depicting an unreasonable emotional hatred, physical statements based in fact, I would bet you can't, because, inside, we are all built the same way, we all have a heart, a brain, all the vital organs, we may look different, but, as the saying goes: variety is the spice of life we are all fundamentaly the same, whatever beliefs we have, so, with no pun intended here (for those of you that remember Mars Attacks) why can't we all just get along???Anyway, yet again with my two cents... yes, antagonistic and emotional, but, I've seen first hand what these "hate crimes" can be like, and, usually, they will start with some seemingly innocuous comment, so, why do we need them... that's my point!!And also, I apologise if I manage to offend anyone, as per any of my msg's that is not my intent, my only aim is to draw attention to something I think we could all learn from, and, to hopefully, set an example for my fellow posters on this forum, and, anywhere else you may visit on the net have fun everyone And, to slur myself in parting... cya laters, love: your friendly neighbourhood limey lolDan

I'm not sure that it was an angry post, because I'm not sure what it meant. Are you trying to say that we shouldn't discriminate against hackers or something?Could you summarize in a couple of sentences what your point is?

First off: hah hah hah, how did I know it'd be you that'd reply to that post first!!! You make me smile sometimes!Secondly: point of post = discrimination bad! in all forms, the manifesto just happened to be an example I felt appropriate, as we all (initially at least) treat each other as equals (as there's little other choice, because how can you descriminate against typing (unless you don't like the font (that's a joke SteveA no need to make something of that too))) so, why can't we continue to do that when we start to learn more about each other! (and, I'm NOT talking about discriminating against a font now SteveA ... with me so far? lol)Seems to me, certain people (I'm referring to in general here, not just on this site, or any other site, just people) have way to much time on their hands to find fault and to hate others, or dis others for no reason, other than they are different from them... and, I have a simple question, as stated before... why do they do it?I STILL sorely doubt anyone can give me a logical explanation as to why they do!Anyway, I'm goin to bed now, it's 2.02am here, I'm tired, and, the film I was watching has now finished! lollaters everybody Dan

> discrimination bad! in all forms

OK, very well, but what if you're shopping for a brain surgeon? What if you wanted daycare for your kid...wouldn't you discriminate against pedophiles?

I'm not sure what that thing about not liking font meant. Could you clarify?

> why do they do it?

If you believe God is responsible for creation, you'll have to ask him. Otherwise, you'll have to study antropology and the evolution of human behavior to figure it out. It's part of the human condition. Logic, less so.

you and Stephen Colbert don't see colour eh?

you and Stephen Colbert don't see colour eh?

Dictionary meaning of the word discrimination:1. an act or instance of discriminating. 2. treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit: racial and religious intolerance and discrimination. 3. the power of making fine distinctions; discriminating judgment: She chose the colors with great discrimination. 4. Archaic. something that serves to differentiate. Point 2 is the bad thing WHEN it is meant in such a way that it causes harm/discomfort to another person when that person has not warranted such an action... I would say, a paedophile has heralded such discrimination by committing the crimes that would label a person as such, and, a brain surgeon has EARNED such a label, and, would be proud if you called them such, so, I stand by what I said: Discrimination = Bad, but I shall add, for your benefit, as you seem to love to pick flies: Discrimination = Bad in all forms, when it is the intent of a person or persons to bring harm to another person, persons or thing.Dan

ahhh, I just love the way the word discrimination gets chucked around.we'd all be dead without the ability to discriminate.

okay, until now, I had no idea who Stephen Colbert was, so, just in case I'm not the only one: Stephen Colbert Bio "Civil Whites" "Gaydar" Well, at least there's some humour in the thread after all Dan

GAH!!! stephen colbert is amazing..i watch him everyday!!!

lol, I knew the name (thanks to a tour of duty watching American TV in Iraq and Bahrain), but, I couldn't place him, we don't get him on telly over here in sunny old England... anyway, really is time for bed now!!! gosh!!! been up reading posts for over an hour after I said I was goin to bed!!! lol... cya all tomorrow no doubt :smile:

Dan

wooo england...wait..sunny??? eesh.night

OK, so you're referring to the second definition. It's bad to be for or against someone simply based on the group he comes from, rather than his own merit; in other words, prejudice is not good.I assume than that's what your prolix first post was saying. I think it's a sentiment we can all agree with.Are there any posts in particular that you can cite that are bothering you?[Stephen Colbert? Did you just hijack your own thread?]

I think the point that everyone will breathe a hefty sigh of relief to is the fact that... wait... is that steveA agreeing!!! omg! lolAs for naming posts on here, I won't do that because it points various people out, and, A: I won't spoil it for them, they should know who they are, and, hopefully, will modify their behaviour, as this place should be grown up enough for that as it's for all our benefits, and B: it wasn't just the site that pushed me to it, I had a particularly bad day yesterday with various things being said and argued for/against, but, that's a completely different Europe oriented subject, so no need to bring that up either, I was just so annoyed that people can act in such a derogatory to each other when, we are all human beings and each of us deserves some semblance of respect!Anyway, time to wander off again now Dan

In reply to: wooo england...wait..sunny??? eesh.night Well, not always, it rained yesterday, all day, but, the sun has made a meagre appearance this morning, so, should be grateful for small mercies eh Dan

I swear we had a mini-hurricane last night, and sat with the manthing doing a ray mears in the front room with candles and a small pan of water cos the power was out for 3 hours............thank god it came back on before he 'converted' the coffee table to a proper fire to make tea on!!!! LOL

lol. well its been raining over this way for a week straight so your not alone =(