Re: [gentoo-project] ComRel / disciplinary action reform proposal

["William L. Thomson Jr." <wlt-ml@o-sinc.com>]

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On Tuesday, January 17, 2017 2:03:56 PM EST Rich Freeman wrote:
>
> Hmm, I can't imagine that if you have been moderated several times
> that it might have some bearing on why you feel that Comrel/Devrel has
> tended to get in the way of your rejoining...

This is actually a new and recent trend. First was in 2015 in comrel IRC 
channel. Then the -project ban just recently in 2016. Where people proceeded 
to talk about me on list, despite me being unable to reply or defend myself.

The first moderation was on -nfp years ago in 2008. That moderation was 
supposed to be temporary and lasted many years. That moderation created all 
the problems since. Comrel/Devrel created the whole ill will scenario.

The damage to the foundation is tremendous. I would have resolved things with 
the IRS, SPI/SFC years ago. Not to mention Java, etc.
 
> In any case, as has been pointed out you could have appealed these
> issues and would likely have gotten a final answer one way or the
> other by now.  But then we can't just complain about them forever.

I think all of that is a waste of everyone's time. I also see it as futile for 
many reasons I stated, even if an appeal is won. It does not make others 
forget the past, or start liking someone they do not.

Problems are much bigger and deeper than anything someone could appeal. How 
does my reputation get appealed? Being painted as an outcast by a minority and 
how I am treated, provoked in ways others are not. Which in turn does not 
bring out the best in anyone.

Such damage no one deserves no matter what for volunteering their time.

> > I am not sure anyone around Gentoo has been treated as poorly as I have.
> > Very few would stick around for the punishment I get on the regular.
> 
> Indeed, most people who regularly get moderated tend to go away.  I'm
> not sure that is entirely a bad thing.

Driving people away for any reason is not good. Who do you think you are? Not 
meant directly or as an insult. But driving someone away, assuming another 
will replace them. It is not a strategy that is working for Gentoo.

> If people are willing to change they can of course stick around, and
> if abuse is a concern that is why we have appeals.

Problem is people within Gentoo do not change. Their behavior becomes the 
status quo. How they see and treat others rubs off on new people. Such that 
problems continue because people are tainted and bias from the start.

The problem is NOT the people, but the process. Also if you are to blame the 
person. You should also blame who they are interacting with. If there was 
actual resolution. People would not leave, and not require moderation.

The real crux is getting rid of the need to moderate in the first place. People 
have filters, and other things at their disposal. This acting like children 
stuff needs to stop. Not everyone needs to be punished. Jails are full of 
people we are trying to force to change their ways.

If you want someone to change, start by changing yourself. If you do not like 
how someone behaves. Think what you can do yourself to effect their behavior 
in a positive manner. Most times moderation is not likely to change behavior 
but encourage the opposite.

Are we not intelligent intellectual people? Must we always resort to crude 
methods to resolves problems. Or claim to resolve problems when in fact we are 
dismissing them and potentially creating a much worse problem with ill will.

-- 
William L. Thomson Jr.

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