The Wikipedia definition seems to indicate it has origins as a racist term and I’ve never understood why unix users have adopted this terms instead of something benign like “themes” or “theming” which I remember being in use long before I ever heard “rice”. So what gives? Why use “rice” instead of “theme”?

  • NathanUp@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    25
    ·
    1 year ago

    Why is it stupid to discuss whether the language we use could be harming people? If you’re not interested in joining that discussion productively, you could simply scroll on.

    • dedale@kbin.social
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      17
      ·
      1 year ago

      The language used is not going to harm people. The intent is, which was my point.

      Read -> Parse the meaning -> React accordingly. Is a correct way to communicate.
      Read -> React to trigger word -> Disregard meaning Is not. It’s just conditioned response.

      If you do not think disagreement is a productive contribution, maybe you’re not looking for a discussion.

      • NathanUp@lemmy.ml
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        16
        ·
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        Let me get this straight:

        In the following scenario, the app developer is in the right?

        • App dev: Here’s my new app! It’s called F----T, for FAntastic Gnome Game On Terminal.
        • Me: Hey, that word is offensive to me and others like me, it’s a word we hear before being beaten, bullied, killed, or discriminated against. Do you think you could change it?
        • App dev: No. My intent was not to discriminate. You’re being unreasonable.
        • Me: The fact that you are unwilling to even entertain changing the app name from a well known slur used against people like me makes me feel completely unwelcome.
        • App dev: Sounds like your problem, sticks and stones.
        • nitefox@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          3
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          1 year ago

          Difference being that rice is not an insult per se, which means that using the term rice isn’t inherently racist.

          To my (very obvious) thesis: “Uee Mario, pizza mare mandolino!” Isn’t racist, each of those words are innocent and have no negative meaning, yet it is racist as fuck

          Checkmate to whatever you were trying to prove

          • NathanUp@lemmy.ml
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            6
            ·
            1 year ago

            I was responding to the argument in the previous comment, not making a point about the term “rice.”

    • NathanUp@lemmy.ml
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      8
      ·
      1 year ago

      Downvotes are cute, rebuttals are better. Do you just not like what I have to say, or can you teach me something? I’m all ears.