discuss Blatantly Racist Domains

[Ategy]

So I'm going through tomorrow's auction list at GoDaddy (technically today, but I haven't slept yet) .. and I come across the following domain:

GasTheJews.com

I really don't want this to be a "GoDaddy" thing .. as in fact I've probably gone through well over a million domains and for the most part now that I think about it I'm actually impressed with how few I've seen considering the number of domains. The very reason it's hard to find good domains is why I like domaining as the best way to be successful at domaining is to find good names that don't get noticed .. so it's very understandable that occasional bad names also might go under the radar.

I've seen tons of adult domains which don't bother me at all .. I've seen a few borderline or potentially dual meaning domains which also don't bother me .. even the reaction to having "retarded.com" in the NamesCon auction seemed a little much to me as there are potentially possible uses of the domain that wouldn't necessarily be offensive ... but I don't ever recall seeing a domain quite as blatantly racist as this one with absolutely no dis-ambiguity or potential alternate/dual-meaning. I'm not jewish .. but the domain still crosses me as wrong.


I came here to share because I'm truly curious as to if anyone has seen anything similar? Are there policies in place for things this extreme? I'm a hard core believer in freedom of expression .. GasTheJews really crosses my usually extremely tolerant line.


Note: Sadly .. not only was it registered once .. but it actually has a bid!

 

[Ategy]

PS .. I'm writing GoDaddy now .. I'll post any response/development back here to share.


Here's a link to the auction in question:
https://auctions.godaddy.com/trpItemListing.aspx?miid=226933694

 

[lock]

Do you want to enforce internet censorship and live in a bubble also?

 

[Ategy]

Do you want to enforce internet censorship and live in a bubble also?

Hey .. I'm just sparking a conversation and was curious what or if policies are in place. This is literally a one in a million+ domain for me.

Or even just because the domain is technically allowed to exist, doesn't mean a company is forced to promote/auction it.

I'm a GoDaddy customer .. and I'm allowed to have the opinion that they might want to reconsider actually having it listed after being made aware of it.

Heck .. people wanted to boycott smarties because they removed the blue ones .. I'd think this is at least one level above that?


Curious to get feedback from @Joe Styler or @Paul Nicks on this ... and again .. I want to stress that I'm in no way implying anything negative towards them at this point in any way as it's extremely easy for domains to get past whatever filters they might have in place.

 

[Addison]

So I'm going through tomorrow's auction list at GoDaddy (technically today, but I haven't slept yet) .. and I come across the following domain:

GasTheJews.com

That's too far. I'd report it to the marketplace, but your poll lacks that as a choice.

 

[lock]

Godaddy let then register it your problem isn't in the aftermarket place.

 

[Ategy]

That's too far. I'd report it to the marketplace, but your poll lacks that as a choice.

GoDaddy is the "Registrar"

Godaddy let then register it your problem isn't in the aftermarket place.

GoDaddy is the aftermarket in this case .. it's an expired domain on GoDaddy Aucitons (sorry if I didn't make that clearer .. I'd have thought anyone curious would have seen that by following the link)

 

[lock]

So you don't have a problem with anyone registering a name like it just not to be seen for sale in aftermarket?

 

[deez007]

As much as this domain is downright despicable, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and suggest that perhaps it shouldn't be reported. Purely based on the fact that it's one step closer to Internet Censorship... who defines exactly what is "offensive" I mean yes this domain is insensitive but the person who owns it has the right to be a royal racist douchb@g if he/she chooses to be. We all have a right not to associate with those sort of people... If the owner actually decides to develop the domain into a site then we have a choice not to visit the site. Reporting it or trying to shut the site down will just give the domain or site attention..more attention that it deserves.

It's no different from walking into a KKK meeting and trying to shut them down... if they want to be narrow-minded bigots then that is their choice. Everyone has their own choice to be who or what they want and we all have a choice on who we want to associate with.

I think we need to realize that NOBODY can offend you or UPSET YOU... it is impossible. The only thing we are in FULL control off is our emotions, nobody has control over that besides ourselves. If someone is racist or offensive towards me, I have a choice on how I react. I can choose to make a big deal about it and get offended and give them control over my emotions, get p*ssed off and make their face get intimately acquainted with my fist, repeatedly! OR I can choose to NOT give a cr@p and not give that person control over MY emotions.

 

[Ategy]

So you don't have a problem with anyone registering a name like it just not to be seen for sale in aftermarket?

Well .. first and foremost I was wondering if anyone has crossed this before and was looking for more information/opinions before making a hard opinion ... that being said .. here are my initial thoughs ...


1- GoDaddy's platform is private .. they do have right to screen/sensor domains from their marketplace .. they already do so when it comes to adult domains to a certain degree (giving people the choice like they have it is actually a good option in my opinion).

2- As for the complete deletion of the domain .. or making it unavailable at the registry level (Verisign) .. that's where I'm trying to figure out my opinion as there are strong arguments on both sides. Note that I don't take censorship this lightly .. this is literally the first domain that ever made me think about it in far over a million domains I've scanned through.

I acknowledge there are potentially huge problems the moment you start even minor censorship. But there are some ethical standards/restrictions when it comes to free speech. Shouting "Fire" in a crowded theater is a classic example .. is the person shouting it responsible for people's injuries if a panic/stampede is created?

A few years ago I read an extremely interesting short book on the subject that really opened my eyes to some aspects of the free speech debate I never thought of before ... definitely highly recommended for those of you interested on the topic but don't have time for a full course ...

https://global.oup.com/academic/product/free-speech-a-very-short-introduction-9780199232352

 

[lock]

I personally don't want to see censorship if someone wants to have the reputation of owning those sites it is their problem. I don't have to like it and nor does anyone.
If a crime is committed then involve authorities. If a site was pro Isis by name maybe it would qualify as a crime in the name itself.

 

[Ategy]

As much as this domain is downright despicable, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and suggest that perhaps it shouldn't be reported. Purely based on the fact that it's one step closer to Internet Censorship... who defines exactly what is "offensive" ...
... We all have a right not to associate with those sort of people... If the owner actually decides to develop the domain into a site then we have a choice not to visit the site.

You make some good points ... but actually one of the biggest reasons to allow offensive materials is not because we all have the right to ignore it ... but the main reason is actually for us to not ignore it and to confront it with fact and/or stronger arguments ... or even to be open to the fact that it could be you that is wrong about your own opinion (not the case here I think it's safe to say though).


I'm curious to those who thought there should be zero censorship .. if (theoretically) you could give instructions on how to make a bomb in 63 characters or less therefore being able to make it an actual domain ... would you want that to be censored?


Again .. I'm not saying either choice is right or wrong .. there are so many nuances to this debate .. and if discussed with an open mind, can really be eye opening for both sides of the debate.


That being said .. I still think the domain actually being on GoDaddy's auction platform as an expired domain isn't right .. but as for the right of the domain to actually exist .. I'll agree that that is a completely separate debate where both sides of the argument have points both for and against ...

 

[deez007]

You make some good points ... but actually one of the biggest reasons to allow offensive materials is not because we all have the right to ignore it ... but the main reason is actually for us to not ignore it and to confront it with fact and/or stronger arguments ... or even to be open to the fact that it could be you that is wrong about your own opinion (not the case here I think it's safe to say though).


I'm curious to those who thought there should be zero censorship .. if (theoretically) you could give instructions on how to make a bomb in 63 characters or less therefore being able to make it an actual domain ... would you want that to be censored?


Again .. I'm not saying either choice is right or wrong .. there are so many nuances to this debate .. and if discussed with an open mind, can really be eye opening for both sides of the debate.


That being said .. I still think the domain actually being on GoDaddy's auction platform as an expired domain isn't right .. but as for the right of the domain to actually exist .. I'll agree that that is a completely separate debate where both sides of the argument have points both for and against ...

I totally get what you saying about bringing these topics into the debate as a way of possibly kerbing the issue and helping people to change their opinion... The thing is...I don't think censorship is going to actually stop people from being racist.

Even the instructions to make a bomb scenario... if someone is that way inclined and they actually want to find out how to make one... they will easily be able to find out so censoring the domain name is not really going to prevent them from making a bomb

(Eish, I'm worried about even typing that kinda stuff here.. watch it get flagged by the CIA and an Edward Snowden scenario unfolds ... next thing you know, this innocent little South African will be sitting in Guantanamo Bay )

 

[Ategy]

If a crime is committed then involve authorities.

That's sorta the point of this discussion .. hate speech *IS* a crime in most modern jurisdictions. The real question that remains however .. is whether a domain name can be considered speech or expression in a similar way that a book or flyer/pamphlet can be. Actually until I wrote this I didn't even think of that argument. I'm sure such a question would make for a very interesting supreme court decision if it ever came to that.

If a site was pro Isis by name maybe it would qualify as a crime in the name itself.

You don't see "Gas The Jews" as being at least as wrong something pro Isis? "Gas the Jews" is a very exact and specific call to action calling for mass genocide! There isn't anything worse than that. While some pro-Isis site might also encourage murder .. there could easily be others where the message isn't as clear ... or at least not as clear as "Gas The Jews".

Note: I'm not even saying that pro-isis site should or shouldn't be allowed .. just that if somebody thinks pro-isis sites should not be allowed, then I can't understand how they wouldn't also think the domain "GasTheJews.com" shouldn't be allowed.

 

[lock]

I am not saying any shouldn't be allowed I am saying perhaps they are criminal in some countries. I wasn't expecting to look contradicting i am still for the fact they should be able to be registered.
And yes it is offensive as hell still should be any combination of letters etc available.

 

[Ategy]

Hey .. I'm not completely disagreeing with you .. lol .. partially playing devil's advocate .. and partially just trying to demonstrate how it really isn't the simple choice most people immediately make to jump on either side. Anything free speech is actually a really interesting debate/discussion .. as there truly are very strong and valid points on both sides.

How "speech" (spoken/written) relates to the web and further to actual domain names is even more interesting .. just by having this discussion I've thought of a couple pros/cons for both sides I didn't see before ...

If I truly wanted everyone here to be on the same side I'd have used the hyphenated domain:

NukeTheA-HolesResponsibleForAppraisalScams.com

 

[Ategy]

Wow .. can we all agree that the most offensive part of this entire discussion is that GoDaddy appraises the domain at "$1,134" !?


Edit: Just adding that Estibot has it at $560.

 

[deez007]

Wow .. can we all agree that the most offensive part of this entire discussion is that GoDaddy appraises the domain at "$1,134" !?

lol ...I think, not 100% sure but as far as I know, domains added on their auction platform are not manually screened or appraised. It's all system generated based on a standard set of criteria. So it's just an automated number the system blurted out...the system itself has no clue that the domain is offensive.

 

[Ategy]

Oh .. come on now @deez007 .. don't tell me you haven't caught yourself up on the awesome discussion here ...
https://www.namepros.com/threads/what-is-going-on-with-godaddy-auctions.1018395/


Anyhow .. yes .. I'm aware of the fact .. I'm just thinking the miscommunication on the actual metrics from GoDaddy's side makes them look bad with that valuation. Probably rightfully so ...

FYI .. Estibot has GasTheJews at $560

 

[mattG]

So I'm going through tomorrow's auction list at GoDaddy (technically today, but I haven't slept yet) .. and I come across the following domain:

GasTheJews.com

I really don't want this to be a "GoDaddy" thing .. as in fact I've probably gone through well over a million domains and for the most part now that I think about it I'm actually impressed with how few I've seen considering the number of domains. The very reason it's hard to find good domains is why I like domaining as the best way to be successful at domaining is to find good names that don't get noticed .. so it's very understandable that occasional bad names also might go under the radar.

I've seen tons of adult domains which don't bother me at all .. I've seen a few borderline or potentially dual meaning domains which also don't bother me .. even the reaction to having "retarded.com" in the NamesCon auction seemed a little much to me as there are potentially possible uses of the domain that wouldn't necessarily be offensive ... but I don't ever recall seeing a domain quite as blatantly racist as this one with absolutely no dis-ambiguity or potential alternate/dual-meaning. I'm not jewish .. but the domain still crosses me as wrong.


I came here to share because I'm truly curious as to if anyone has seen anything similar? Are there policies in place for things this extreme? I'm a hard core believer in freedom of expression .. GasTheJews really crosses my usually extremely tolerant line.


Note: Sadly .. not only was it registered once .. but it actually has a bid!

You're clearly not too offended by it. Based on your snide little poll, I can't even take you seriously. Get real dude. Everyone knows that the internet cannot/should not be censored and that from time to time, people are going to reg some despicable names. But here you are, not only promoting a despicable name, but turning it into joke by including "sell it to Donald Trump" in your poll.