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Comment by wilg | Hacker News Reader

We focus too much on criticizing language instead of ideas. IMHO, this just leads to tiresome and hollow debates. So, I’ll call that out here.

Also, your proposed rewording isn’t correct either because installing applications is already allowed. You can debate the App Store all you want, but it definitely does let you install apps.

On topic: This is silly and Apple should allow sideloading. I don’t buy the security argument because the security comes from the sandbox, not Apple’s poorly-run approval process.

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Don't be mistaken: if you control the language, you've set the tone.

Yeah, sure. I get it. But I see a lot of people wasting a lot of time arguing about the definitions of words and how to spin them to try to gain the upper hand in The Discourse. I’m not sure it’s worth it. 1984 may not be a good guide anymore.

>criticizing language instead of ideas.

I have no idea how you came to this conclusion. It's obvious that I'm criticising the idea of "sideloading" not the word. You can call it some other arrangement of letters and the concept is still very dangerous.

And in this case it is also definitely true that apple does not let you install applications without someone paying them $100+ and their continued approval. The "let" is the key here.

Responding even though I know it’s not going to be fruitful.

The way I came to that conclusion is I read what you wrote, which primarily discusses the language, not the idea. See your references to “doublespeak”, “framing”, “headlines”, and “the word sideloading”.

You claimed “Installing applications on iOS 17 might be allowed in Europe” would be a more accurate headline. It wouldn’t be, because you can install applications via the App Store. If you wanted your headline to be both accurate and to discuss the approval process and fee, you would need to include that, as the original headline does by mentioning “sideloading”, the word that you take issue with but does at least actually raise the issue you’re concerned with.

This comment sure does seem to have a lot of criticism of language and none for ideas

Yeah, because I’m discussing that with the guy I was critiquing. You may notice I put my opinion on the substance of the conversation in my original reply.

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