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Discussion on: Don't leave broken windows

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Raúl Ávila

Apologies for mentioning what it seems to be a controversial topic, I have removed the reference in the article, as I don't have any context on what you actually describe. This is an article about software development, and my last intention was generating any other kind of discussion.

Again, sorry for this.

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Ben Halpern

It's a hot-button topic in US politics. I didn't see the mention prior to your removal, but I'm sure you meant all the best, Raúl. Thanks for being a compassionate member of the community, and great codet ideas, as always.

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Raúl Ávila

Thanks Ben, I had absolutely no idea. It was just a mention to the existence of the broken window theory of policing. Do you think the title of the post and the mention to the broken windows problem is still appropriate?

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Ben Halpern

I'm not the arbiter of sensibility, but I think it's all good. I think it's a metaphor that was, sadly, applied to racist policing tactics. But it's a pretty generic metaphor. I'm not sure, though, and I welcome further commentary on the subject.

There are certain programming terms I avoid and think other should because of their insensitive nature, like the "master/slave" concept. "Follower" seems like a better word to me, anyway.

Sometimes attempts to ensure sensitivity can be fairly Americentric in nature. Programming, and the fact that it's almost universally conducted in English, already has problems with colonial tendencies.

It's complicated.