Kuhn: In Memoriam: Gervase Markham

Posted Aug 10, 2018 22:33 UTC (Fri) by DavidAnderson (guest, #126313)
In reply to: Kuhn: In Memoriam: Gervase Markham by rahulsundaram
Parent article: Kuhn: In Memoriam: Gervase Markham

That's more of the same. That Tweeter also makes a number of "tells", saying more than she intended, as most people with irrational grudges tend to do, as I'm sure we must all have experienced. She repeatedly says that it was offensive of him not to *agree with her views*, and cannot cope with how another human beings views made her *feel*.

The real world is not a 'safe space' for people who aren't mature enough to cope with the existence of people who think and believe differently to them.

Gerv has a 20-year public blogging, writing and discussion list record. She says, "[I] don't know what to do with the information that [Gerv] ... has passed". Is that true? No... she knew what to do, and there it is for us all to see. No time to make a formal complaint, requiring evidence, before. But before he's even buried, within hours of his death 11pm the night before - Twitter slime time! She knew what to do, and the results are ugly.

Is that the sort of Internet that Mozillans or any of us are fighting for? I know that Gerv wasn't, and I don't believe any of us are either. As I say, Gerv has a 20 year published record, and I don't believe it ever included treating anyone like that. We have a multitude of testimonies from people who disagreed with Gerv that he was always a gentleman, and a few angry people who give us the 'tells' that they can't emotionally cope if people disagree with them. I think the rational conclusion is clear.

Kuhn: In Memoriam: Gervase Markham

Posted Aug 10, 2018 22:46 UTC (Fri) by DavidAnderson (guest, #126313) [Link]

Here's a great example of the real-world Gerv: https://gerv.net/writings/three-forms-of-diversity/ . Typically straight-forward in saying that he personally believes Jesus is Lord (he's not hiding or hedging his views), and that he sees that fact as mattering to everything; but at the same time, not just saying in theory that he's welcoming of all who are part of Mozilla's mission, but also demonstrating that in practice through working through things in detail, and also applying calm, nuanced, rational, reasoned, non-aggressive (except to people who think that disagreement with them is ipso facto aggression) analysis. The Tweeter depicts Gerv as a mere name-caller, making baseless and frenzied claims to personally attack you. The actual Gerv (c.f. the above piece) would calmly and reasonably discuss his reasons for thinking differently with you, and shake your hand and love you no less, but more, afterwards.

Kuhn: In Memoriam: Gervase Markham

Posted Aug 10, 2018 23:15 UTC (Fri) by rahulsundaram (subscriber, #21946) [Link] (2 responses)

" That's more of the same. That Tweeter also makes a number of "tells", saying more than she intended"

People can have wildly different experiences with the same person. It would be better for you to accept that and move on rather than try so hard to dismiss others personal direct experiences as somehow invalid or irrational.

Kuhn: In Memoriam: Gervase Markham

Posted Aug 10, 2018 23:28 UTC (Fri) by DavidAnderson (guest, #126313) [Link] (1 responses)

As I say, many people have many different views: welcome to the universe. But, if they want to state them in public - especially in such a manner as that - then they're open to rational analysis and refutation.

I don't assume you have a problem with that, and I wouldn't be surprised if you hope someone will do the same for you, should you find yourself similarly treated.

Kuhn: In Memoriam: Gervase Markham

Posted Aug 10, 2018 23:56 UTC (Fri) by rahulsundaram (subscriber, #21946) [Link]

" then they're open to rational analysis and refutation."

A friend of yours just passed away. I don't think attempting to do rational analysis on this situation is really feasible. Your posts are clearly emotional and understandably so. I will leave it at that.