logoalt Hacker News

Teever • today at 2:45 AM • 1 reply • view on HN

In a document discussing taboo words and how a tech company chooses to categorize them it seems foolish to block that one word but not all the others.

Is there any context in which you feel it is acceptable to use that word?


Replies

snowwrestler • today at 5:45 AM

There’s not really any neutral reason to speak or write that word, at least in the U.S., because it is so infamous that in any context you can use “the n word” and everyone will know exactly what you mean. In terms of direct semantic meaning, the actual word adds nothing.

The potential downsides of using it are also famous. So the only remaining reasons to speak it are to show that you can (demonstrating your power), or choose to (demonstrating an obstinate desire for conflict).

And obviously if you are installing a text filter in software, you will need to type it out and store it that way.

➕ show 1 reply