Hi Sharon,
Sharon Levy wrote:
After reviewing the proposed CoC, I wonder if its good intent might
boom-a-rang and have an opposite, chilling effect. I would respectfully
suggest re-thinking the notion of a CoC for the PHP project. Some
questions to consider:
1. Who is the CoC for, i.e. who should be its beneficiaries? Users,
core contributors and maintainers? All of the above?
I'd say that a code of conduct would be for whole community. Its purpose
is to keep the community a friendly and inviting place. That goal is
surely one beneficial to everyone.
2. What should a CoC seek? Is it the elevation of PHP culture so that
whether on the internals list or another forum there is less vulgarity
and crudity and more respect?
That would be the idea, yes.
Or, is the purpose of the CoC really a
device to control perceptions, i.e. protect the image of the PHP project
and its citizens?
Well, that would also be a benefit. I don't think these are exclusive
goals. If PHP isn't inviting, people won't want to contribute.
If a CoC were to use language such as "guidelines" rather than the
anonymous authoritative language contained in the current proposal, I
think it would be more beneficial for encouraging productive discussions .
We can have a more welcoming community and one in which people can feel
free to share their technical thoughts even if they are far beyound the
perimeter of the box if we emphasize the importance of each person
taking personal responsibility for their deportment rather than
attempting to dictate behavior.
The idea of "taking personal responsibility for their deportment"
reminds me a little too much of Soviet-era jokes about how the KGB would
function once communism was achieved.
Mostly-irrelevant musings aside, I don't think that simply asking people
to be nice, on its own, is necessarily sufficient. At the very least,
having people tasked with moderation means people get warned if they
step over the line, rather than them doing it unaware. If you put up
rules, not everyone will read them, or at least remember them in full.
Thanks.
--
Andrea Faulds
https://ajf.me/
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