I give up

[CurtSibling]

@Phoenix:
The corner hinges on this:

Do you think Germany should pay reparations for their excesses during WW2?

 

[test_specimen]

Siemens (and other enterprises) paid compensation to slave workers, because they profited from their enslavement. I think it is the right thing to do, morally, because they profited directly from them, while the (political-) prisoners received no money for their work.

However it is ridiculous to blame them for using the name. Insensitive? Maybe. But the articel is as biased as can be. "across a range of home products, including gas ovens" obviously intends to say that they named gas ovens "Zyklon", which I seriously doubt.

Zyklon is the German name for a storm, just like eg. "Passat". If you forbid us to use any words the NAZIs used, we will have to adopt another language. But exactly those reactions have made "Anti-Faschist" a swearword around here, since their thoughtcrime allures are at least as fascist as those of regimes with a GESTAPO.

 

[CurtSibling]

@test_specimen:

You speak true.
In their rush to be as PC as possible, the do-gooder brigade runs the risk of becoming as totalitarian as the thing they seek to censor.

 

[Drewcifer]

Originally posted by test_specimen


However it is ridiculous to blame them for using the name. Insensitive? Maybe. But the articel is as biased as can be. "across a range of home products, including gas ovens" obviously intends to say that they named gas ovens "Zyklon", which I seriously doubt.

There was a story about this in the Economist last year. Yes, they were intending to use the name "Zyklon" for gas ovens. It is a martketing cock-up, nothing more.

 

[phoenix_night]

Originally posted by CurtSibling
@Phoenix:
The corner hinges on this:

Do you think Germany should pay reparations for their excesses during WW2?

First of all, before I answer, we have to realise that has nothing to do with such a topic. Why? Because this topic has nothing to do with feeling guilt for a nation's past. Nothing at all. The only issue here, is whether the name may be offensive to certain people. Regardless of the decision made, it can not imply one way or the other, that a person supports the view of guilt throughout a nation for its past.

There is no link between seeking to avoid any unnecessary offence, and feeling guilt for the past of a nation.

So the question, and its answer, is irrelevant. But, to avoid any comebacks regarding the lack of an answer, I will say, Germany today should not pay reparations. That is not necessarily a matter of principle, but that shouldn't matter, as it has nothing to do with the current topic.

 

[Double Barrel]

Originally posted by CurtSibling
In their rush to be as PC as possible, the do-gooder brigade runs the risk of becoming as totalitarian as the thing they seek to censor.

Words of wisdom! Well said...it would make a good sig.

 

[Norlamand]

Originally posted by CurtSibling
@test_specimen:

You speak true.
In their rush to be as PC as possible, the do-gooder brigade runs the risk of becoming as totalitarian as the thing they seek to censor.

Hold on now! You mean that the PC crowd might actually seek infringe on the free speech rights of those who hold contrary views or opinions? You are obviously an intolerant, culturally insensitive fascist who needs mandatory remedial sensitivity training! You'll be on a one way trip to the re-education camp by morning......

 

[onejayhawk]

Originally posted by Mescalhead
I can understand the name Zyklon being taboo with the chemical. But just to make the word taboo altogether is absolutely ridiculous.

Its about PR. Of course its rediculous. goes with the territory.

Originally posted by Stapel
Come on Curt, wouldn't this forum be boring if people were consistent in their posts ?

Why ask him? Curt is very consistent: "Shock and Awe."

J