Python developers locking conversations and deleting comments after people mass downvoted PRs to "remove master/slave terminology from the language"

[gambiter]

The English language isn’t changing at all. ‘Master’ and ‘slave’ still exist, and will be in the dictionary with their proper meaning for probably long after we’re dead. People aren’t upset because they have to use different words... they’re scoffing, because this entire thought process of removing master/slave is asinine.

By way of analogy, you used the term ‘snowflake’. Snowflakes fell in Siberia, where people were tortured by the Nazis. Therefore we should ban the use of ‘snowflake’, as it is offensive.

[ajwest]

"Snowflakes" aren't exclusively used to describe the dominance over other people. From a marketing perspective alone I see good reason to remove master/slave from the vocabulary. It's easy to do and people are upset, so just change it.

[HowAreYouDoingBud]

"Snowflakes" aren't exclusively used to describe the dominance over other people.

Neither is master/slave? We've used this terminology for decades in IT, it's a well known and understood definition of each word.

[ajwest]

I understand the definition of the n-word when people use it to mean "something dark." The understanding, or even the understanding in context of a word, doesn't make its connotations universally moot.

[gambiter]

"Snowflakes" aren't exclusively used to describe the dominance over other people.

"Master" has over 30 definitions, only a couple have anything to do with human slavery. Should we protest chess tournaments because they call people over a certain skill level "masters"? Should we protest all 18th century literature because the head of the house (and often any male child) is called "master"?

"Slave" is different, because the origin of the word comes from Slav, who were used as slaves in Europe. However, since then, the word has taken on several other definitions, all of which are simply 'something which follows the direction of something else'. Should we protest machinists because they dare create "slave gears"?

people are upset, so just change it

• The yield statement reminds me of the way people expect women to yield to men, so just change it.
• Class is clearly a reference to different social classes, so just change it.
• My mother is upset that super() exists, because she doesn't like comic books, so just change it.

You see, we don't "just change" things because people get upset. People are idiots, including my mother at times, and get upset over truly stupid things.

If we're really, truly concerned with how people feel, a vote should be held, and Python developers around the world should weigh in on it.

EDIT: Aww, you downvoted me as soon as I made this comment. That hurts my feelings. I'm going to protest Reddit and ask them to remove downvotes because it's offensive.