On 9/21/07, Armed Blowfish diodontida.armata@googlemail.com wrote:
On 21/09/2007, Thomas Dalton thomas.dalton@gmail.com wrote:
So accusing individuals is a problem, but accusing groups is acceptable?
Yes, basically. If one points out one considers to be a societal problem, any individual member of the society can not feel guilty on the grounds that either a) one is not part of the problem, b) one was just going along with the flow, c) the societal problem is not actually a problem but a good thing, or d) there isn't actually any problem. Blaming individuals removes these defences.
on 9/21/07 11:33 AM, Wily D at wilydoppelganger@gmail.com wrote:
This may be a lovely ethical theory, but it won't help us fix the G-D problems. Blaming groups recuses individuals from the perceived need to fix the problem. If someone is doing something they shouldn't, tell them to stop. Just tell them to stop. Tell them what they should be doing instead. If there's a problem, fix it. If you can't fix it on your own, ask for help.
Just complaining isn't going to get anything done. Go find some actionable problems and fix them. If you need help, ask.
Take responsibility for what's going wrong. If you did something wrong, take responsibility for it. If something is wrong, whether its your responsibility or not, take responsibility for fixing it.
Absolutely, yes!
The only way I would vary from your thoughts is this: The only person in this heap called Wikipedia who can single-handedly "fix" something sits on the very top of it. The rest of us must gain enough Community support for such changes to take place. BUT, otherwise, I totally agree with your sentiments: See a problem? - Deal with it - Actively - Call attention to it - Relentlessly - One way or another. Otherwise, don't bitch!
And Cheers to you also, WilyD.
Marc Riddell