Sony Kowtowing to North Korea

[selym]

PZR said:

I like a bit of satire, but that's just drivel. Primary school playground stuff.

The back half of this thread is like a pack of hyenas tearing up the carcass of a wildebeest in a Wetherspoons pub.

'iphonedyou' is hiding behind the slot machines thinking you've forgotten about him.

Do any of your car's use a slave cylinder? If so, I can't believe you'd take offence at a term that doesn't reference anyone or anything when you freely use a component that makes light of hundreds of years of suffering.

Yes, that is how stupid you sound.

[Pesty]

selym said:

Do any of your car's use a slave cylinder? If so, I can't believe you'd take offence at a term that doesn't reference anyone or anything when you freely use a component that makes light of hundreds of years of suffering.

Yes, that is how stupid you sound.

Rule of thumb is that they all have slave cylinders.

[wolves_wanderer]

selym said:

PZR said:

I like a bit of satire, but that's just drivel. Primary school playground stuff.

The back half of this thread is like a pack of hyenas tearing up the carcass of a wildebeest in a Wetherspoons pub.

'iphonedyou' is hiding behind the slot machines thinking you've forgotten about him.

Do any of your car's use a slave cylinder? If so, I can't believe you'd take offence at a term that doesn't reference anyone or anything when you freely use a component that makes light of hundreds of years of suffering.

Yes, that is how stupid you sound.

I am offended that he uses the name "Wildebeest" given by colonial invaders of Africa rather than the native African term

[selym]

Pesty said:

Rule of thumb is that they all have slave cylinders.

That's disgraceful. I'm removing my master cylinder now so the slave cylinder can finally be free.

Don't even get me started on fruity sauce.

[PZR]

selym said:

Yes, that is how stupid you sound.

Stupid?

I'm saying that Sony are not "kowtowing" to the hackers/PRK. I'm also saying that in my experience the term 'kowtowing' is one that I would be very careful in using with relation to Japanese/Korean/Chinese peoples, because it has baggage. I never said that it was a 'racist' word (WTF? somebody else came up with that) or any kind of taboo in normal English use.



It was - I still maintain - a slightly strange choice given the protagonists involved in the story, but the OP explained it was meant humorously. Fair enough.

Is some of the reaction on this thread really appropriate? Talk about breaking a butterfly upon a wheel.

[WinstonWolf]

Yes, Political Correctness is a cancer on society, it needs to be eradicated.

The reaction to the use of kowtowing on here is an affront to common sense. It's use in this context is completely innocuous.

[selym]

PZR said:

Stupid?

I'm saying that Sony are not "kowtowing" to the hackers/PRK. I'm also saying that in my experience the term 'kowtowing' is one that I would be very careful in using with relation to Japanese/Korean/Chinese peoples, because it has baggage. I never said that it was a 'racist' word (WTF? somebody else came up with that) or any kind of taboo in normal English use.



It was - I still maintain - a slightly strange choice given the protagonists involved in the story, but the OP explained it was meant humorously. Fair enough.

Is some of the reaction on this thread really appropriate? Talk about breaking a butterfly upon a wheel.

Unless you explain this mysterious baggage that theshe parties attach to the term 'kowtowing' then you do sound stupid. I never suggested you suggested it was racist, but why don't you share the negative connotations with the class?

[Fishtigua]

Jesus H Christ, I know what it means. I've worked and sailed around there for enough years to pick-up the odd hint to the meanings of certain words used.

This thread is about an attack from a sovereign state on a global company. Global means words are used around the world by everybody, and the lingua franca is English.

Case Closed.

[98elise]

PZR said:

selym said:

Yes, that is how stupid you sound.

Stupid?

I'm saying that Sony are not "kowtowing" to the hackers/PRK. I'm also saying that in my experience the term 'kowtowing' is one that I would be very careful in using with relation to Japanese/Korean/Chinese peoples, because it has baggage. I never said that it was a 'racist' word (WTF? somebody else came up with that) or any kind of taboo in normal English use.



It was - I still maintain - a slightly strange choice given the protagonists involved in the story, but the OP explained it was meant humorously. Fair enough.

Is some of the reaction on this thread really appropriate? Talk about breaking a butterfly upon a wheel.

....yet there is no mention of this baggage anywhere on the internet other than on this thread. It might be worth you editing the wikipedia entry just to clarify for the rest of the English speaking world.

[boyse7en]

I just asked my Japanese tennis partner (for context, he is Japanese by birth, of Japanese parents (and presumably grandparents etc) and moved to the UK with his parents at the age of about five and has lived here ever since) what he thought of Sony actions with regard to withdrawing the film from release, and whether he thought Sony was "kowtowing to North Korean demands" on this.

He didn't bat an eyelid at the use of the term 'kowtowing'.

[iphonedyou]

PZR said:

Stupid?

I'm saying that Sony are not "kowtowing" to the hackers/PRK. I'm also saying that in my experience the term 'kowtowing' is one that I would be very careful in using with relation to Japanese/Korean/Chinese peoples, because it has baggage. I never said that it was a 'racist' word (WTF? somebody else came up with that) or any kind of taboo in normal English use.



It was - I still maintain - a slightly strange choice given the protagonists involved in the story, but the OP explained it was meant humorously. Fair enough.

Is some of the reaction on this thread really appropriate? Talk about breaking a butterfly upon a wheel.

It doesn't have any baggage you total weirdo!

[PZR]

98elise said:

....yet there is no mention of this baggage anywhere on the internet other than on this thread. It might be worth you editing the wikipedia entry just to clarify for the rest of the English speaking world.

Here's a straight question for you: Should you happen to find yourself (theoretically, indulge me here...) in Japan, at Sony Corp. HQ, would you be quite comfortable in telling the execs there that they are 'kowtowing' (literally, in the full implication of the term) to the hackers/PRK? Well, would you? If you got a very un-PC punch in the face, would you point at Wikipedia and say it's not your fault?

Given the history between the two countries, I very much doubt that any self-respecting Japanese citizen would be happy with the thought that they might have to act out the ritual of 'dogeza' to the PRK. Especially lately. I don't think you'll see any Sony Corp execs doing it any time soon. The Japanese equivalent of the PH PC-exterminating massive would chase you out of town at the suggestion.

I'm sorry, but anecdotes from people who have "sailed around there" or colonialist plantation orphans in Malaysia with 'servants' (LOL) are just not relevant. I'm talking about Japanese sensibilities and prejudices, based on centuries of conflict, that are simmering at just under boiling point at the moment.

Unlike others who are conspicuous by their absence or who have called in sick with a lame excuse, I've been here trying to answer questions thrown at me. In return I get painted as an "adenoidal buck-toothed idiot" and - just as bizarrely - some kind of racist.

Really, WTF?

[PZR]

boyse7en said:

I just asked my Japanese tennis partner (for context, he is Japanese by birth, of Japanese parents (and presumably grandparents etc) and moved to the UK with his parents at the age of about five and has lived here ever since) what he thought of Sony actions with regard to withdrawing the film from release, and whether he thought Sony was "kowtowing to North Korean demands" on this.

He didn't bat an eyelid at the use of the term 'kowtowing'.

The Japanese equivalent (and not wholly equivalent) is 'dogeza'. Please ask him if Sony are - or should - be acting out 'dogeza' to the PRK over this.

[groucho]

PZR said:

The Japanese equivalent (and not wholly equivalent) is 'dogeza'. Please ask him if Sony are - or should - be acting out 'dogeza' to the PRK over this.

WTF! This is the weirdest thread ever. There is a looney loose.

[Fishtigua]

PZR said:

'dogeza'

My Mum's Shih Tzu used to do that on the kitchen floor when excitable.

[WinstonWolf]

PZR said:

98elise said:

....yet there is no mention of this baggage anywhere on the internet other than on this thread. It might be worth you editing the wikipedia entry just to clarify for the rest of the English speaking world.

Here's a straight question for you: Should you happen to find yourself (theoretically, indulge me here...) in Japan, at Sony Corp. HQ, would you be quite comfortable in telling the execs there that they are 'kowtowing' (literally, in the full implication of the term) to the hackers/PRK? Well, would you? If you got a very un-PC punch in the face, would you point at Wikipedia and say it's not your fault?

Given the history between the two countries, I very much doubt that any self-respecting Japanese citizen would be happy with the thought that they might have to act out the ritual of 'dogeza' to the PRK. Especially lately. I don't think you'll see any Sony Corp execs doing it any time soon. The Japanese equivalent of the PH PC-exterminating massive would chase you out of town at the suggestion.

I'm sorry, but anecdotes from people who have "sailed around there" or colonialist plantation orphans in Malaysia with 'servants' (LOL) are just not relevant. I'm talking about Japanese sensibilities and prejudices, based on centuries of conflict, that are simmering at just under boiling point at the moment.

Unlike others who are conspicuous by their absence or who have called in sick with a lame excuse, I've been here trying to answer questions thrown at me. In return I get painted as an "adenoidal buck-toothed idiot" and - just as bizarrely - some kind of racist.

Really, WTF?

If everyone keeps telling you that you're mental you have to consider the possibility that you might actually be mental.

[Pesty]

Fishtigua said:

My Mum's Shih Tzu used to do that on the kitchen floor when excitable.

[///ajd]

PZR said:

Here's a straight question for you: Should you happen to find yourself (theoretically, indulge me here...) in Japan, at Sony Corp. HQ, would you be quite comfortable in telling the execs there that they are 'kowtowing' (literally, in the full implication of the term) to the hackers/PRK? Well, would you? If you got a very un-PC punch in the face, would you point at Wikipedia and say it's not your fault?

Given the history between the two countries, I very much doubt that any self-respecting Japanese citizen would be happy with the thought that they might have to act out the ritual of 'dogeza' to the PRK. Especially lately. I don't think you'll see any Sony Corp execs doing it any time soon. The Japanese equivalent of the PH PC-exterminating massive would chase you out of town at the suggestion.

I'm sorry, but anecdotes from people who have "sailed around there" or colonialist plantation orphans in Malaysia with 'servants' (LOL) are just not relevant. I'm talking about Japanese sensibilities and prejudices, based on centuries of conflict, that are simmering at just under boiling point at the moment.

Unlike others who are conspicuous by their absence or who have called in sick with a lame excuse, I've been here trying to answer questions thrown at me. In return I get painted as an "adenoidal buck-toothed idiot" and - just as bizarrely - some kind of racist.

Really, WTF?

And yet you are still digging so hard, you do realise you could create a new form of internet-thread-fail China Syndrome?



It is bizarre to watch. By your own admission you are sort of guessing that someone might maybe be offended perhaps for a reason you can't put your finger on. The recommendation is to gently cease the fruitless straw clutching.

[Fishtigua]

PZR said:

I'm sorry, but anecdotes from people who have "sailed around there" or colonialist plantation orphans in Malaysia with 'servants' (LOL) are just not relevant. I'm talking about Japanese sensibilities and prejudices, based on centuries of conflict, that are simmering at just under boiling point at the moment.

To give PZR his due, he is quite correct about the heightened tensions around the South Spratly Islands, daft sailors do understand these things too. Or they get shot at or taken for kidnap.

Sadly, in this analogy, PDRK have fk all to do with them.

Don't mention the Paracel Islands. Leave it out Kev, 'e ain't wurf it.

[LimaDelta]

PZR said:

98elise said:

....yet there is no mention of this baggage anywhere on the internet other than on this thread. It might be worth you editing the wikipedia entry just to clarify for the rest of the English speaking world.

Here's a straight question for you: Should you happen to find yourself (theoretically, indulge me here...) in Japan, at Sony Corp. HQ, would you be quite comfortable in telling the execs there that they are 'kowtowing' (literally, in the full implication of the term) to the hackers/PRK? Well, would you? If you got a very un-PC punch in the face, would you point at Wikipedia and say it's not your fault?

Given the history between the two countries, I very much doubt that any self-respecting Japanese citizen would be happy with the thought that they might have to act out the ritual of 'dogeza' to the PRK. Especially lately. I don't think you'll see any Sony Corp execs doing it any time soon. The Japanese equivalent of the PH PC-exterminating massive would chase you out of town at the suggestion.

I'm sorry, but anecdotes from people who have "sailed around there" or colonialist plantation orphans in Malaysia with 'servants' (LOL) are just not relevant. I'm talking about Japanese sensibilities and prejudices, based on centuries of conflict, that are simmering at just under boiling point at the moment.

Unlike others who are conspicuous by their absence or who have called in sick with a lame excuse, I've been here trying to answer questions thrown at me. In return I get painted as an "adenoidal buck-toothed idiot" and - just as bizarrely - some kind of racist.

Really, WTF?

I don't think anyone called you a racist - just an idiot.

Oh, and Japan doesn't really do PC does it, it is pretty much the most openly racist country I have ever worked in. (And I've been to Australia!)

And you still haven't answered the question. Why is it offensive?