by _pgmf on 3/10/20, 12:37 AM with 9 comments
by jeffadotio on 3/10/20, 4:45 AM
Intentional rudeness is an expression of emotion. Fundamental truths and well-reasoned arguments, despite the article’s claim, do not require emotional expression. Open source contributors are neither punching bags nor therapists.
by Nevermark on 3/10/20, 8:06 PM
Movements to change things almost always have a good reason and almost always happen in a low resolution way that makes a mess of the merits of many specific situations.
Most individuals tend to focus on either the legitimate need for change, or the legitimate messes being made by promoters of change.
The two imperfect viewpoints strongly reinforce each other.
Rudeness is a very blunt instrument. Even in small groups with well shared context.
Any use of rudeness is going to beg legitimate, illegitimate, and well intentioned but off the mark responses.
The larger a community becomes, the lower the chance that “constructive” rudeness actually is constructive - including in “brutal” meritocracies. Rudeness just adds noise and creates dissension no matter how nuanced it’s intent.
Merit regarding work includes how the work is communicated, negotiated, etc. It is part of the work, and in larger groups becomes more of the work.
In merit based communication, intent means almost nothing. Avoiding creating unnecessary side issues and misunderstandings means everything.
Want to grow a community, hear from many voices, remain focused on merit? Avoid rudeness.
by okaleniuk on 3/10/20, 10:06 AM
The only thing that bothers me is the possible schism in the culture. We will have communities where openness and meritocracy are valued more than being nice, and the ones with code of conducts. This would be hard to glue back together when the fashion for suppressing expression passes.
by aaron695 on 3/10/20, 10:50 AM
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22518370
He seems totally in the right.
by worik on 3/10/20, 3:56 AM
What are "attempts to subvert OSD clauses 5 and 6."?
A link would have been helpful...