Re: GR: Ban LLM contributions from Debian

Soren Stoutner <[email protected]> Tue, 28 Jul 2026 13:25:01 -0700

Newsgroups	gmane.linux.debian.devel.vote
Organization	Debian
Message-ID	<2057774.yKVeVyVuyW@soren-desktop>

On Tuesday, July 28, 2026 12:22:55 PM Mountain Standard Time Matthias Urlichs 
wrote:
> On 28.07.26 20:21, Soren Stoutner wrote:
> 
> >> Just to note, 'bullshit' is here a technical term.
> > 
> > Personally, I find the word offensive.  I wish it would be avoided in
> > Debian
> > communications.  There are other, technical, words that are not offensive
> > which can be used instead.
> 
> 
> Such as?
> 
> This is a serious question. The "BS" term is used here precisely 
> *because* it has somewhat-offensive connotations.

I take this to mean that you agree that the term is (somewhat) offensive.

> Output with a callous 
> disregard to truth, facts, and related concepts *is* offensive IMHO; any 
> term used to describe such should at least suggest that offensiveness, 
> lest we reduce our discussion to a blasé exchange of opinions without 
> regard to their impact, factual as well as emotional.

I disagree with the argument that we need to use offensive terms to respond to 
arguments or actions we disagree with.  The best way to deal with such 
behavior and arguments is to use language which is precise but not offensive.

The Debian mailing list Code of Conduct endorses this:

“1. Be respectful

"In a project the size of Debian, inevitably there will be people with whom 
you may disagree, or find it difficult to cooperate. Accept that, but even so, 
remain respectful. Disagreement is no excuse for poor behaviour or personal 
attacks, and a community in which people feel threatened is not a healthy 
community."

https://www.debian.org/code_of_conduct

-- 
Soren Stoutner
[email protected]

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