On Sun, Oct 17, 2010 at 10:34 PM, Robert S. Horning <robert_horn...@netzero.net> wrote: > On 10/17/2010 11:01 PM, MZMcBride wrote: >> Fred Bauder wrote: >> >>> This list is for people who support the project, not those who are >>> actively opposing it or criticizing in public forums in exaggerated ways. >>> >> Please don't stupidly spout off about the purpose of this list. Or if you >> insist on doing so, at least have the decency to be accurate. There is >> absolutely no issue with dissent on this list (or on any Wikimedia mailing >> list). Thoughtful critics and criticism should always be welcome. The view >> you're putting forward is simply and unequivocally wrong. >> >> MZMcBride >> > While I think this reply could have been a bit more tactful, the > sentient is well founded: This list includes a fair bit of dissent and > controversy over the role of the Foundation in regards to the operations > of the various Wikimedia projects.... controversy that in some cases > I've started in the past in various capacities. *I* have offered > dissenting viewpoints on several key things in the past, so if it is > those who are actively criticizing the foundation or the actions of > "project leaders", perhaps I ought to be the next one banned from this list?
I cannot speak for the list administrators. But criticism, especially thoughtful criticism, is of course both welcome and healthy in general in our projects, and personally I would love to see more nuanced and thoughtful criticism as the basis of many more conversations about where the Foundation and projects should go. But I do note that Austin didn't specify the reasons that Kohs was banned, so I don't think that it's particularly useful to raise fearful scenarios. In the last few years that I have been actively participating in Foundation-l, I've found it quite lenient not only towards critics but also towards troublesome posters, even trolls. So I doubt that Kohs' critical views towards the projects contributed to his banning; there are plenty of other ways that someone can become unwelcome in a community, including harassment of other members of that community. I don't know what the specific situation in this case was that triggered this action at this time, but I trust our list administrators to make thoughtful decisions based on a long history. regards, Phoebe _______________________________________________ foundation-l mailing list foundation-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-l
