RETARDED.COM - Should this domain be auctioned in the largest domain industry convention?

[Internet.Domains]

Retarded.com - Should this domain be auctioned in the largest domain industry convention?

The term RETARDED is defined as "offensive" on Dictionary.com, Merriam-Webster.com, Vocabulary.com and Wikipedia.org. The latter one describes it: "The word retard was widely accepted in the late-1900s to refer to people with mental disabilities; however it is now more commonly used as an INSULT. The word has gained notoriety for causing a growing number of mentally disabled people to feel unfairly stereotyped."...

This insulting and offensive domain should not be part of the the largest domain industry convention. This reflects on sponsors and attendees alike. The auction has been advertised as "Super Premium" and there is nothing "SUPER PREMIUM" about offending and insulting mentally and physically challenged individuals. As a person who knows and works with autistic children I kindly ask for this domain to be removed from the sponsored industry event immediately. This domain does not and should not reflect on the entire domain industry, but at this point it does reflect, and it is insulting.... Here is a list of of the top sponsors for the convention that is promoting the auction with the offensive and insulting term to those that are physically and mentally challenged, through no fault of their own.

Uniregistry
RightOfTheDot
Namejet
Rightside
Verisign
Radix
InternetX
Affilias
GoDaddy
Escrow.com
101Domain
DomainSponsor
.WS
Donuts
CentralNic
.Blog

 

[Internet.Domains]

Here is the challenge. Watch all of the above, previously posted videos, and come back to talk. The word does mean something and it should not be highlighted or put in a industry wide domain auction. I stand for those that are least likely to defend themselves. Where do you stand?

 

[Joe N]

Let's make a list of every single word that should be censored from domain names. Go!

 

[Traveler]

Here is the challenge. Watch all of the above, previously posted videos, and come back to talk. The word does mean something and it should not be highlighted or put in a industry wide domain auction. I stand for those that are least likely to defend themselves. Where do you stand?

I stand for those as well, always have. The fact that this name is for sale does not imply any bad intentions on any part. The buyer may actually feel the same as you and me and make really good use of it.

 

[Internet.Domains]

I stand for those as well, always have. The fact that this name is for sale does not imply any bad intentions on any part. The buyer may actually feel the same as you and me and make really good use of it.

In that case it should be done in private, not on a public platform. The auctioneer should not have to utter the word. Simple as that. If it was kept private I would have no issue, my issue lies with the public use of this domain...

 

[Joe N]

In that case it should be done in private, not on a public platform. The auctioneer should not have to utter the word. Simple as that. If it was kept private I would have no issue, my issue lies with the public use of this domain...

Where does it stop? Where is the line that determines if a domain is or isn't too offensive to sell at a public auction?

 

[Traveler]

In that case it should be done in private, not on a public platform.

I disagree, the public platform is best. If the buyer turns the name into some site using the name in a negative way. The public will respond in kind and hopefully denounce it.

 

[hxp]

Here is the challenge. Watch all of the above, previously posted videos, and come back to talk. The word does mean something and it should not be highlighted or put in a industry wide domain auction. I stand for those that are least likely to defend themselves. Where do you stand?

In that case it should be done in private, not on a public platform. The auctioneer should not have to utter the word. Simple as that. If it was kept private I would have no issue, my issue lies with the public use of this domain...

Dude.

The the word "retard" is uttered countless times in those videos, and approx. 1650 times on the R-Word.org site itself (site:www.r-word.org retard).

Why? Because it's necessary. A "necessary evil", if you will. They seem to realize this. They know their efforts are for the greater good.

In the same way, the existence, purchase, and sale of Retarded.com is necessary. &It doesn't matter where it happens. Wether it's at NamesCon, GoDaddy, Flippa, or Sedo, it's simply unjustified to condemn these entities for accommodating the purchase/sale of a controversial domain.

I like me a good debate, but this is getting ridiculous and redundant.

Cheerios!

 

[dordomai]

What if the name was dumb.com, stupid.com, silly.com, idiot.com., dysfunctional.com., bipolar.com, gay.com?

Where do you draw the line in the sand?

I think dumb.com was at auction last year or so.

 

[mad409]

I think I will step in here since I chose this name in pre-bidding.

Big mistake, you'll figure it out. Wrong platform for the domain and despite your personal opinion.

 

[Innoverge]

Retarded.com - Should this domain be auctioned in the largest domain industry convention?

The term RETARDED is defined as "offensive" on Dictionary.com, Merriam-Webster.com, Vocabulary.com and Wikipedia.org. The latter one describes it: "The word retard was widely accepted in the late-1900s to refer to people with mental disabilities; however it is now more commonly used as an INSULT. The word has gained notoriety for causing a growing number of mentally disabled people to feel unfairly stereotyped."...

This insulting and offensive domain should not be part of the the largest domain industry convention. This reflects on sponsors and attendees alike. The auction has been advertised as "Super Premium" and there is nothing "SUPER PREMIUM" about offending and insulting mentally and physically challenged individuals. As a person who knows and works with autistic children I kindly ask for this domain to be removed from the sponsored industry event immediately. This domain does not and should not reflect on the entire domain industry, but at this point it does reflect, and it is insulting.... Here is a list of of the top sponsors for the convention that is promoting the auction with the offensive and insulting term to those that are physically and mentally challenged, through no fault of their own.

Uniregistry
RightOfTheDot
Namejet
Rightside
Verisign
Radix
InternetX
Affilias
GoDaddy
Escrow.com
101Domain
DomainSponsor
.WS
Donuts
CentralNic
.Blog

'Retarded/Retard',which originated as a reference to the cognitively impaired,has developed into a hardly offensive slang and of friendly usage over the years,referring to someone with poor judgement or one who's slow at grasping things or displaying a moment of stupidity.

In other words 'Retarded',isn't as retarded as it used to be.

If it's the 'Super Premium' tag on it that bothers you,you should know it's threads like these,that gives it the exposure and value.

So ironically you are popularizing and contributing to the auction,whilst attempting to criticize it.

 

[mad409]

So ironically you are popularizing and contributing to the auction,whilst attempting to criticize it.

Not for that domain, it will fail and never go anywhere but maybe a parking page. If this was an attempt to gain attention to the auction, well they got that but ya see people like me are not even going to go to this event which I considered, nor will I bid on any names..

 

[Dun]

Ethics?
hahahaha gimme a break!
Anyone would be truly retarded if not thinking to bid on that one

 

[Internet.Domains]

I think I will step in here since I chose this name in pre-bidding. I have sold many many controversial domainnames in my 21 years in this industry I certainly feel it’s about who buys it and how they use it not who sells it or if it should be offered for sale. This domain name can be turned into the most positive name depending on what the buyer does with it. It is a dead on keyword, dictionary term and extremely valuable in my opinion! We will see if it makes it to the live or online auction……

When you consider this domain for auction please keep these points in mind

1. Those that oppose the word are not doing this for political reasons or for political correctness. The movement is not an attempt to censor. Freedom of speech is not part of this movement in no way. This issue crosses all political party lines, it is bi-partisan. Again, this is NOT a PC or censorship issue.
   
2. The most common use of the word does not include pizza dough, brake systems, slow movement etc. Sure these are all uses, but they are not common and not the FIRST USE in most all cases. There are plenty of other words one could use to describe pizza dough, brake systems etc. Our language is very large and there are so many other words that can be used in substitution.
3. The word is not 'cool'. The word is often used in many settings with no regard and without knowing , but that does not mean the PAIN and the emotional toll is lessened. Kids on the playground may use the word while playing. Someone may say the word spontaneously in reaction to something they see or hear. When people use this word in those settings they are, without knowing, referencing REAL people with various types of disabilities. This issue is an educational movement to make people aware that the word brings PAIN.
4. The domain in subject is an exact match. Just the sight or sound of this domain brings pain to so many people. There is no way that this domain can be used in a good manner for the movement to educate. The domain could not be used on the radio or in any advertisement without causing PAIN to many. There simply is no good use to bring awareness or to educate with this domain.
5. Words matter. We are in a unique business that evolves around words. We should know and understand this better than most. By auctioning this domain in the largest domain industry convention we are doing nothing to lessen the negative stigma of selling domains. In addition, media may take notice and bring negative press to the entire industry. As an industry that uses and knows words, we can do better, much better.
6. Educate yourself further. Please visit www.R-Word.org to learn more. Understanding the PAIN and HURT the word brings to so many people can not be understated.

 

[Joe N]

The movement is not an attempt to censor.

Whether it's an attempt to censor or not, that's exactly what you're suggesting. To censor is to remove or eliminate words, images, etc. that are deemed to be unacceptable.

I'll ask the questions again, which you conveniently ignored:

Where does it stop? Where is the line that determines if a domain is or isn't too offensive to sell at a public auction? And who decides it?

Education is great. I fully support your efforts to make people aware that this word is offensive and hurtful to people. Censorship, however, is a tool of the ignorant and fearful.

 

[Internet.Domains]

Whether it's an attempt to censor or not, that's exactly what you're suggesting. To censor is to remove or eliminate words, images, etc. that are deemed to be unacceptable.

I'll ask the questions again, which you conveniently ignored:

Where does it stop? Where is the line that determines if a domain is or isn't too offensive to sell at a public auction? And who decides it?

Education is great. I fully support your efforts to make people aware that this word is offensive and hurtful to people. Censorship, however, is a tool of the ignorant and fearful.

In reply to your first statement.There are lots of different types of censorship and they all have different meanings. The type I have been referring to is called MORAL CENSORSHIP. It is different than the type of censorship you are referencing. (I could have been more clear about that)....Where do we draw the line you ask?.....That would depend on many factors. One thing to remember is the English language is always evolving. The N-word at one time was widely acceptable to use. You could say the same about the word in our subject. Only time will tell what word is next to become socially and morally unacceptable to use.... To answer your other question about who decides what domain to sell in a public auction, that would depend on what the decision maker finds morally acceptable to him/her.

 

[distlej]

While I take a libertarian view on most censorship I can see the OP's point. The Domain industry has enough problems being seen in a negative light ("cyber squatters" et al), without this. Also understand that someone is also earning a commission on this sale. If I was any of the industry reps, I certainly wouldn't be touting the sale of this name in the general press! Obviously someone in the marketing departments of these companies dropped the ball.

 

[Addison]

I've detached personalization from this quote because I've seen it asked by more than one person:

Where does it stop?

I find this question dismissive and manipulative. Why? Because the answer is conspicuous and you're attempting to distract from this specific issue by utilizing a favored topic (freedom) to support your cause (diversion).

Manipulation 101.

I'll answer it anywise: society chooses, and then providers choose to agree or disagree.

Society has already chosen that this word is unacceptable. Right of the Dot disagreed and ignored that. Censorship concerns swayed this poll. The end.

Michael Berkens resigns from Right of the Dot

Foreshadowing?

 

[Joe N]

I've detached personalization from this quote because I've seen it asked by more than one person:

I find this question dismissive and manipulative. Why? Because the answer is conspicuous and you're attempting to distract from this specific issue by utilizing a favored topic (freedom) to support your cause (diversion).

Manipulation 101.

You find the question manipulative because there is no good answer. And that's exactly the problem: there is no good answer. Someone will always be offended. That's why censorship resolves nothing. Bend to one complaint, and the next one will be in line demanding equal treatment.

If society deems this word to be unacceptable, then the name will eventually disappear into domain purgatory, and the rantings in this thread will serve no purpose but to draw extra attention to the word.

Here's an idea... Wait to see what's done with the domain. If you don't like it, don't visit it. If you find it really offensive, petition others not to visit it. If society is as advanced as you folks claim, you have nothing to worry about. And if not, don't try to force it... because then you'll be fighting people like me, who otherwise couldn't care less either way, but are now offended that you think we can't make our own decisions about what is and isn't morally acceptable.

 

[Internet.Domains]

You find the question manipulative because there is no good answer. And that's exactly the problem: there is no good answer. Someone will always be offended. That's why censorship resolves nothing. Bend to one complaint, and the next one will be in line demanding equal treatment.

If society deems this word to be unacceptable, then the name will eventually disappear into domain purgatory, and the rantings in this thread will serve no purpose but to draw extra attention to the word.

Here's an idea... Wait to see what's done with the domain. If you don't like it, don't visit it. If you find it really offensive, petition others not to visit it. If society is as advanced as you folks claim, you have nothing to worry about. And if not, don't try to force it... because then you'll be fighting people like me, who otherwise couldn't care less either way, but are now offended that you think we can't make our own decisions about what is and isn't morally acceptable.

You mention, "If society deems this word to be unacceptable"........
Society has already deemed this word unacceptable. You are free to choose your own morals. Meanwhile, society chooses it's morals, and currently society has deemed this word unacceptable, hurtful, painful and it is offensive and an insult. If you don't like societies morals, you are welcome to not join society. The Alaska bush is a good place to start if you choose to not join society.

 

[Joe N]

You mention, "If society deems this word to be unacceptable"........
Society has already deemed this word unacceptable. You are free to choose your own morals. Meanwhile, society chooses it's morals, and currently society has deemed this word unacceptable, hurtful, painful and it is offensive and an insult. If you don't like societies morals, you are welcome to not join society. The Alaska bush is a good place to start if you choose to not join society.

You don't speak for society. Nor does the owner of this domain, nor the organisers of the auction.

Let business take its course, and let people decide where they will give their attention and spend their money.

THAT is how society speaks.

 

[Internet.Domains]

You don't speak for society. Nor does the owner of this domain, nor the organisers of the auction.

Let business take its course, and let people decide where they will give their attention and spend their money.

THAT is how society speaks.

You say, "Let business take its course, and let people decide where they will give their attention and spend their money.".....We have a free market and an open society. However, society decides what can and can't be in a free market. For instance slaves are not allowed in a free market, because society deemed it unacceptable. Child pornography is not allowed in the free market, because society deemed it unacceptable. Again, it's society that has deemed the R-word morally unacceptable. Although not illegal, it is socially unacceptable to use the term. Recently, Amazon and Walmart took products off their shelves containing the R-word. That is because the term is socially unacceptable. Business tends to follow the rules of society, both legally and morally....

 

[Joe N]

You are comparing the use of an English word to the most basic rights of a human being. There is no comparison to be made. You even said it yourself! One is legal, the others are not. Maybe one day it will be illegal to say or write certain words, but I hope to God that day never comes.

If those companies took products off their shelves, it was a business decision, plain and simple. And yes, THAT is how change comes about. Consumers exercise their right to shop elsewhere, businesses adapt, society evolves. No one forces it through censorship. It happens in due course.

Stop trying to force it.

 

[Joe N]

I find it very offensive when someone advocates censorship as a means of furthering their own personal agenda. I will always speak out against that kind of ignorance, because it's exactly the kind of thinking that breeds the hate and fear that the OP is so desperately trying to stop.

 

[mad409]

And while on the subject of good business decisions that's the reason for this thread.

Should this domain be auctioned in the largest domain industry convention?

 

[Joe N]

And while on the subject of good business decisions that's the reason for this thread.

Should this domain be auctioned in the largest domain industry convention?

If it makes good business sense for them to do so? Absolutely.

But the OP is too busy labelling people immoral to step back and objectively consider what makes for a good business decision. Helen Lovejoy would be proud.