This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

Ethics: Are we misusing the terms "master-slave". Do we even have a community / forum in which we can discuss this?

The recent world wide considerations of the diversity challenges in our society has highlighted that we in Engineering can be perpetuating some of the derogatory terms implicit within our use of "Master-Slave" for purely inanimate technical control scenarios. [1 - N]


We have policies on slavery that every volunteer, staff member and Trustee must read and abide to, but it appears we haven't noticed, to any significant extent, our own continued use of "slave" in our writings.


Do we even have a community or forum in which we can discuss this ethical, and publishing issue?


Philip Oakley

[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53273923

[2] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3243656.stm

[3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-53050955

[4 ] http://www.jstor.com/stable/40061475   "Broken Metaphor: The Master-Slave Analogy in Technical Literature"

[5] https://www.theiet.org/involved/volunteering-for-the-iet/volunteer-hub/our-policies/anti-slavery-policy/


Aside: Is there some tick box to get notifications of replies sent?
Parents
  • > Are you looking for a problem where one doesn't exist ?


    Isn't that assertion just ignoring a hazard, without reasonable adaption, in the hope that nobody of alleged importance notices?

    --

    Our Vision



    Working to engineer a better world.



    Our Mission



    To inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community, supporting technology innovation to meet the needs of society.



    Our Strategic Framework



    As both a professional body and a charity, we recognise the need to work in close partnership with our stakeholders


    ????



Reply
  • > Are you looking for a problem where one doesn't exist ?


    Isn't that assertion just ignoring a hazard, without reasonable adaption, in the hope that nobody of alleged importance notices?

    --

    Our Vision



    Working to engineer a better world.



    Our Mission



    To inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community, supporting technology innovation to meet the needs of society.



    Our Strategic Framework



    As both a professional body and a charity, we recognise the need to work in close partnership with our stakeholders


    ????



Children
No Data