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Posted to dev@directory.apache.org by Nicola Ken Barozzi <ni...@apache.org> on 2004/07/07 12:10:42 UTC
Learning deescalation
In the thread "Web site ready - give it a try", there has been an
unneeded escalation of tension because an innocent question has turned
into a bikeshed argument. [1]
Keep in mind that others *will* ask questions like these the more the
project becomes known, and the project has to learn how to handle them
without making a fuzz out of them each time.
The suggestions I proposed may as well be wrong: the important thing is
not what the project decides but how it handles pressure. I hope that
it's now clear that learning to de-escalate a storm in a teacup is
important.
I'd suggest that everyone rereads the whole thread, and tries to see
where things started escalating and why. In particular take notice of
how different people react and which reactions escalate.
As a general guide, the best way not to escalate tension is through
silence. [2] For example, if at one point I was said "we have already
decided for this", but I still kept on bugging, simply not responding
would have made me desist.
Finally, as Noel said, voting should not be used to deescalate, as in
fact it does the opposite, and should generally be used only to ratify
important decisions of which there is already consensus, or when the
discussion has been long enough to warrant a stop on it. In this case
the decision was already taken and nobody challenged it (remember, I was
just asking), so it was not needed. If I wanted to start a vote, simply
not voting would have made the issue drop automatically.
[1] http://www.unixguide.net/freebsd/faq/16.19.shtml
[2] Consensus Gauging through Silence
http://www.apache.org/foundation/voting.html
--
Nicola Ken Barozzi nicolaken@apache.org
- verba volant, scripta manent -
(discussions get forgotten, just code remains)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Re: Learning deescalation
Posted by Stephen McConnell <mc...@apache.org>.
Noel J. Bergman wrote:
> Thank you, Nicola Ken, for a general, appropriate, and well-considered
> message. You have pointed out an area of community building that should be
> learned, without pointing figures at anyone. Not only is it appropriate for
> all projects, but even more so for a project mentor to express in the
> Incubator.
Wow - I'm sorry Noel ... but I have to say ...
*ROTFL*
Nicola made some constructive points - he also went overboard in
reacting to Alex - something that Nicola is prone to doing from time to
time. Please - lets be a little realistic - Nicola is not tracking this
project in detail and is not involved at and tangible level but that
does not give Nicola - or you - the right to start tromping around with
statements about "mentors", "appropriateness" or worst of all - Nicola
posting his opinions on deescalation (and Nicola is 100% familiar with
the reasons why he is the last person on the planet to assume any
authority on this subject).
Get back to the agenda "all of you" - there is a cut on the new site -
the people who are committing are happy with the cut. Yes - we can put
in changes here and there and keep the observers happy - and if that
makes us happy - then cool go to town. Remember - if someone doesn't
like something then they can post a patch. In the meantime don't forget
that more than a couple of people have been investing energy into the
promotion of product using brands. Anyone tracking this forum will be
aware of that - and anyone tracking this forum would understand Alex's
position (which is operational very close to my own).
Bottom line - Alex is doing a fantastic job - give the guy some space -
no need for flack. This list is about more important things than
individual opinions on deescalation or appropriateness - Nicola or Noel
- if you want to respond - respond to me on the incubator list and I'll
give you your money's worth.
Cheers, Stephen.
--
|---------------------------------------|
| Magic by Merlin |
| Production by Avalon |
| |
| http://avalon.apache.org |
|---------------------------------------|
RE: Learning deescalation
Posted by "Noel J. Bergman" <no...@devtech.com>.
Thank you, Nicola Ken, for a general, appropriate, and well-considered
message. You have pointed out an area of community building that should be
learned, without pointing figures at anyone. Not only is it appropriate for
all projects, but even more so for a project mentor to express in the
Incubator.
--- Noel
Re: Learning deescalation
Posted by Stephen McConnell <mc...@apache.org>.
Nicala:
Sorry mate - but you are honestly the last person to preach about
deescalation. Let it drop.
Stephen.
Nicola Ken Barozzi wrote:
>
> In the thread "Web site ready - give it a try", there has been an
> unneeded escalation of tension because an innocent question has turned
> into a bikeshed argument. [1]
>
> Keep in mind that others *will* ask questions like these the more the
> project becomes known, and the project has to learn how to handle them
> without making a fuzz out of them each time.
>
> The suggestions I proposed may as well be wrong: the important thing is
> not what the project decides but how it handles pressure. I hope that
> it's now clear that learning to de-escalate a storm in a teacup is
> important.
>
> I'd suggest that everyone rereads the whole thread, and tries to see
> where things started escalating and why. In particular take notice of
> how different people react and which reactions escalate.
>
> As a general guide, the best way not to escalate tension is through
> silence. [2] For example, if at one point I was said "we have already
> decided for this", but I still kept on bugging, simply not responding
> would have made me desist.
>
> Finally, as Noel said, voting should not be used to deescalate, as in
> fact it does the opposite, and should generally be used only to ratify
> important decisions of which there is already consensus, or when the
> discussion has been long enough to warrant a stop on it. In this case
> the decision was already taken and nobody challenged it (remember, I was
> just asking), so it was not needed. If I wanted to start a vote, simply
> not voting would have made the issue drop automatically.
>
>
> [1] http://www.unixguide.net/freebsd/faq/16.19.shtml
> [2] Consensus Gauging through Silence
> http://www.apache.org/foundation/voting.html
>
--
|---------------------------------------|
| Magic by Merlin |
| Production by Avalon |
| |
| http://avalon.apache.org |
|---------------------------------------|