On 10/8/07, Marc Riddell michaeldavid86@comcast.net wrote:
In this case size does not matter when considering the negative friction. What does matter is the individual contributor's ability to interact in a constructive way with another contributor. You can have a group of a thousand persons, and, if each of these persons has the positive interpersonal skills to communicate with another, much can be accomplished. On the other hand, you can have a group of ten where the majority of them don't play well with others - and you will have a gridlock disaster.
The problems are not with the Community, but with the individual members who make up that community.
Marc Riddell
on 10/8/07 10:04 PM, George Herbert at george.herbert@gmail.com wrote:
It's not just with individual members
Yes it is, George. I stand with my original assessment.
there are issues (such as fair use, and inclusionism vs deletionism) which have highly socially functional, play-well-with-groups "core wikipedians" at each others' metaphorical throats at regular intervals.
These issues may very well be, but this type of thinking right now serves to diffuse and deflect from the main problem: the individual.
Legitimate major disagreements about what we're here for are a big deal.
A legitimate, and crucial topic - for a different conversation.
That said, those disagreements tend to be argued in a respectful manner for the most part.
I couldn't disagree with you more, George.
The serious disruption seems to be individuals who are at least at times interpersonally abrasive or abusive.
That is my point.
The problem is "at times", or contextual abrasive/abusiveness... many of these people are also excellent core 0.1% contributors most of the time, or in most contexts. But have a hot button, or situationally can be pushed into the alternate behavior.
This situational behavior is what must be confronted and improved.
Collaboration takes real skill. As the project becomes more complex, this collaboration is going to become more complex. Likewise, as the Project matures - so must its participants.
I stand with my original assessment.
Marc