On Fri, Jan 22, 2016 at 2:42 PM John Bafford <jbaff...@zort.net> wrote:
> Chase, > > On Jan 22, 2016, at 13:15, Chase Peeler <chasepee...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > 1.) I think everyone already knows how to be an adult. The fact that > > sometimes we don't act in a civil manner isn't because we don't have > > something telling us what civil behavior entails. Putting it in writing > > might make us feel good, but it isn't going to change how anyone behaves. > > Putting it in writing is necessary only if you intended to have a way to > > enforce it - which requires some form of punitive measures for those that > > don't, as well as a way to determine if someone violated them. > > I disagree with part of your assertion here. > > Having a written down statement of expected behavior is useful from the > standpoint that it makes it much easier for others to point at and say, > “look, you’re out of line, knock it off”. > > For example: where I live, it’s local regulation that in a public park, > dogs must be on leashes. (Doesn’t matter how big, or small, or how > friendly, or how well-behaved, *all* dogs *must* be on leashes at *all* > times, except where otherwise specifically allowed, such as in dog parks.) > Occasionally, some people forget (or ignore, or don’t know about) that > restriction (or forget they’re not in a dog park). It’s a whole lot easier > to call out the misguided/accidental/bad behavior when someone can point at > the posted sign and say, “hey, please leash your dog; unleashed dogs aren’t > allowed here,” because then it can’t be taken only as someone complaining > just to complain; instead, it’s someone pointing out an actual, written, > violation of the rules, backed up by a six foot tall sign. > > Having the sign also serves the purpose of reminding everyone (good and > bad citizens alike) what the rules are so they can be more confident in > calling out bad actors. It helps prevent or improve either of these two > scenarios: “Hmm… I think dogs must be leashed… but I can’t remember? > Probably shouldn’t say anything just in case I’m wrong…”, or, “wow, that’s > a pretty unfriendly person and their dog. I better get the number from that > sign so I can call the parks department and report them." > > Putting a code of conduct, or contributor guidelines, or whatever you want > to call it *in writing* (and regularly posting them to the mailing list as > a reminder) serves exactly the same purpose as that sign at the park: > gently remind everyone what the rules are; provide something clearly in > writing that everyone can look at and understand; and provide contact > information for questions and complaints. Written guidelines *absolutely > will* bring about a change in how people behave: it may not immediately > deter bad actors, but it will empower the neutral and good actors in > bringing about censure and rehabilitation of those not acting in the public > interest. > > -John > > Eh, I personally see something like leashing your dog and how to act like a civilized human being as different. That being said, my issues aren't with codifying how we should behave. My issues are with creation of a judicial body with the power to impose punishment on others based on that code. A code of conduct implemented for the reasons you listed is fine, and focusing on whether such a code is actually necessary distracts us from the bigger issues: 1.) Whether or not my proposal in #2 is good or not and 2.) the problems listed in #3. -- -- Chase chasepee...@gmail.com
