The kernel's code of conflict [LWN.net]

The kernel's code of conflict

Posted Mar 9, 2015 20:31 UTC (Mon) by jb.1234abcd (guest, #95827)
Parent article: The kernel's code of conflict

I am looking from the outside in and find this "code of conflict" rather
superficial.

This is a voluntary project, organized informally based on competency
(a benevolent dictator surrounded by a dozen of lieutenants, with a maltitude of contributors of never-asked-about origin or motivation).

A similar attempt to introduce a "code of conduct" was experienced recently
at lwn.net, and mostly rejected, and rightly so.

If you do not have the stomach to fight it out in these familiar conditions, do not go to the kitchen.

I think you are a bunch of pussycats.

What next ? Something like this ?

"
Discriminatory practices under these laws also include:

harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
disability, genetic information, or age;

retaliation against an individual for filing a charge of discrimination,
participating in an investigation, or opposing discriminatory practices;

employment decisions based on stereotypes or assumptions about
the abilities, traits, or performance of individuals of a certain sex,
race, age, religion, or ethnic group, or individuals with disabilities,
or based on myths or assumptions about an individual's genetic
information;

denying employment opportunities to a person because of marriage to, or
association with, an individual of a particular race, religion, national
origin, or an individual with a disability. Title VII also prohibits
discrimination because of participation in schools or places of worship
associated with a particular racial, ethnic, or religious group.
"

Is it helpful ? Feeling better ?

to post comments

The kernel's code of conflict

Posted Mar 9, 2015 21:29 UTC (Mon) by raven667 (guest, #5198) [Link] (4 responses)

I may be misreading you but it seems you are mocking people who don't want to be treated like crap, why should anybody who has an ounce of self-respect be expected to have a "stomach to fight it out" with pointless insults as a prerequisite for keeping their professional job?

The kernel's code of conflict

Posted Mar 10, 2015 1:56 UTC (Tue) by fest3er (guest, #60379) [Link]

Raven667, I agree with you completely. Incivility and rude behaviour are allowed and expected in war. But this isn't war; this is communal cooperation. And no community will long stand when one group of its members appear to strive to keep most members at each others' throats.

If submitted code stinks, say it stinks, explain why it stinks, and offer suggestions how to make it less smelly. In other words, take the opportunity to teach someone who probably wants to learn. People who have spent a lifetime learning and perfecting have a duty to pass along what they've learned to a new generation, and have a duty to recognize when they need to take a break from answering the same questions day after day, month after month, year after year, when the questions come from newbs who want to learn, who try to learn, who want to contribute to the community.

In a sentence, it takes a lot more energy to build than to raze. Build anyway.

The kernel's code of conflict

Posted Mar 10, 2015 17:28 UTC (Tue) by jb.1234abcd (guest, #95827) [Link] (2 responses)

Your hesitation is warranted, otherwise you would be misreading.
Every time you try to legislate that it is only a matter of time and you see
the poisonous effects of it. There are loosers only.
You do not want to be treated like crap, act accordingly. There is a good chance you will find support from others, unexpectedly.

The kernel's "code of conflict" is an act of deliberate laziness - passing
a problem to other people and expecting them to find a solution to YOUR
problem.
You could not work it out in your all wisdom, but you expect it from
others.
And if that leads to more rules, laws, and bylaws the better for everybody.
Really ?
Do you remember the convoluted Debian TC process regarding systemd adoption ? Pretty scary.
So, now you want to have a replay of that at Linux Foundation ?
In other words, the initiators of this idea placed a stinker in
Foundation's courtyard.
And the peanut gallery will enjoy it greatly from now on.

The kernel's code of conflict

Posted Mar 10, 2015 21:54 UTC (Tue) by raven667 (guest, #5198) [Link]

> The kernel's "code of conflict" is an act of deliberate laziness - passing
a problem to other people and expecting them to find a solution to YOUR
problem.

I'm going to disagree with this axiom, the person who is being treated like crap is not the one whose behavior is a problem, they aren't the ones in the wrong, so it's not their responsibility to "fix" someone else's behavior, that's not even logically possible. What can be done is to inform the person who is misbehaving that what they've said is unwelcome, but ultimately they are responsible for their own behavior.

The kernel's code of conflict

Posted Mar 10, 2015 22:12 UTC (Tue) by bojan (subscriber, #14302) [Link]

> There are loosers only. You do not want to be treated like crap, act accordingly.

Yeah, totally agree. I mean, all those fucking bitch whores asking to not be raped, all those fucking retard cunts in their wheelchairs asking not to be spat on, all those fucking kids asking not be beaten to within an inch of their life. Who on earth do they think they are, asking for a bit of civilized behaviour?

And just in case someone missed it, I totally disagree with you, of course.

Never mind the fact that we should behave in a civilized way as a general rule. Your freedom and mine are limited by the freedom of the persons next to us. Guess what? There is seven billion of us on this planet. Lots of persons to take into account.

The kernel's code of conflict

Posted Mar 10, 2015 15:31 UTC (Tue) by Wol (subscriber, #4433) [Link] (3 responses)

> Discriminatory practices under these laws also include:

What laws? And how do you define discrimination?

Firstly, Linux is international, so you can't use American law as your guideline. And I certainly wouldn't hold America up as a very good example of anti-discrimination, it's much more an example of Politically Correct discrimination ...

May I give you a simple example of where anti-discrimination has discriminated against me ... I couldn't participate in any race-related discussions on Groklaw. I got censored. Because I speak English, not American.

The problem was simply down to language - in America I understand it is unacceptable to use the word "black". Unfortunately for me, that is normal acceptable usage in the UK. AND I HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE AVAILABLE!!! Most black people near me consider themselves either Nigerian or Caribbean. "African Briton" would be totally unacceptable and offensive to both of them, they're British for *** sake, and completely wrong to the second lot - the Caribbean isn't part of Africa!

And then be careful of other sensitivities - I am British of Caribbean descent, but I'm white!

Finding a way through the maelstrom of the politically correct who are determined to take offense at every opportunity is difficult. Any code of conduct needs to target them too! My code of conduct would be simple:

(1) Everybody deserves respect by default. In the absence of contrary evidence always assume the best.
(2) Do not seek to cause offence, and be sensitive to cultural differences.
(3) Be slow to take offence, but quick to pour oil on troubled waters if you see it.

Horribly bland, but quite powerful. Much more than that, and it's too easy to turn it into a discriminatory tool :-(

Cheers,
Wol

The kernel's code of conflict

Posted Mar 10, 2015 15:49 UTC (Tue) by oldtomas (guest, #72579) [Link]

I think it's no coincidence that your proposals (which I agree wholeheartedly with) read a bit like "Postel's Law": "Be conservative in what you do, be liberal in what you accept from others".

After all, it's a protocol what we're trying to establish.

The kernel's code of conflict

Posted Mar 10, 2015 16:18 UTC (Tue) by Guhvanoh (subscriber, #4449) [Link]

Being black and British I refer to myself as a Black Briton. You can carry on the discussion now...

The kernel's code of conflict

Posted Mar 10, 2015 23:35 UTC (Tue) by ncm (guest, #165) [Link]

There is no practical need to discuss race on the kernel list, so no need for any such distinctions. If only that were true everywhere...