On Tue, 22 Apr 2008, Tony Abernethy wrote:
> Zbigniew Baniewski wrote:
> > Is it possible to participate in this mailing list without
> > being insulted
> > for asking a question, being called by names and so on?
> Yes. Easily.
No, not easily. Only certain questions can be asked without meriting
insult. The casting of an uninsult-worthy question is difficult.
This is because of semantic problem, in that "to question" in list
language has the primary meaning "to criticize", and "to criticize"
has the sole meaning, "to slander, deprecate, mock, or ridicule"
and by implication, "to demand changes".
The usual broader-world meaning of "to question" is "to request
information".
> However, you do NOT get to set anyone's agenda,
> not even your own.
Illustrating my point about list-speak semantics.
>
> The developers do this the way they want to.
> They accomplish a lot with extremely limited resources.
> You and I do not even get to have an opinion.
Right.
The OpenBSD core has this bifurcated nature: they do not accept
questions about their policy, offering the project's results on a
strict take-it-or-leave-it basis. They do not pretend, in other
words, to have a user base that pays for the product and that as
consumers have the final say in whether the product succeeds or
fails. This attitude is brutally (some might say "inhumanly")
honest, easily articulated and frequently understood. Sometimes,
however, people insist that OpenBSD fulfill a "democratic-socialist"
political model including universal suffrage, or a market-driven
"business" model, with a sovereign consumer.
On the other hand, the core really-really likes:
a) fawning gratitude, and I do mean fawning, almost like
that which drips from the slack jaws of a religious worshipper, but
also like that from a doting, hovering mother, or syrupy lover,
b) regular "donations" in cash or kind or purchase of
the product(s).
These two tines of the fork -- absolute autonomy on product design
and policy and a hunger for fawning worship and donations --
characterize a monopolistic religion, not a business or demo-socialist
political entity. (OpenBSD does not pretend, I repeat, to be a
business or any sort of democracy.)
The term "OpenBSD core" is a misnomer. Like the medieval Catholic
church, there is no "core/rim" division. The "users" constitute a
"laity", who, seeking heaven and fearing hell, need the sacraments,
and approach the Church, which is constituted solely of the "clergy",
for them. In return, one tithes, prays, and hopes. Some, eager
to work for the Church, and demonstrating their zeal, wisdom and
obedience, can receive Holy Orders and join the clergy, i.e. the
Church.
It is a curious model, but in fact works rather well. But the
layman does not ask the bishop why the Mass is in Latin, or why
it's held on Sunday morning and not Friday night or Wednesday at
3PM. This is treated almost as if he asked if the nature of Christ
is human *and* divine, or solely divine, or solely human, or if
Christ is present en toto in the Eucharist bread, or if the wine
is necessary. The layman does not ask those questions.
There are also a number of lay zealots, who form various lay
orders, (such as the Knights of Columbus, Malta, St. John...) who
are used to slay the heretic or infidel when such stumbles into
Christendom, purging with flame impurity and falseness. When an
heresiarch such as the reviled Stallman or one of his deluded imps
assaults the Church, spreading dissension and citing false scripture,
the Pope might call for Crusade. These lay orders then swing into
violent and righteous action, and gratifying flame-fed autos-de-fe
entertain the congregation, illuminating the orthodox and obliterating
those fallen into Error.
Questions of the form "request for information" are covered in a
periodically revised chatechism, styled a "FAQ". Requests for
information not in the FAQ are entertained on the list, but should
be submitted in special form, surrounded by fawning and hand-kissing,
in illuminated emails, and often gently reminding the clergy that
the supplicant has diligently and regularly tithed.
Dave "I'm not Luther"
--
The future isn't what it used to be.
-- G'kar
