We are not immune from group dynamics. Fight or Flight remains an option for us, although it is seldom the optimal response.
It is hard to get down to work and craft a sane response, but that is our job.
Even in the context of circled wagons.
Fred
-----Original Message----- From: Marc Riddell [mailto:michaeldavid86@comcast.net] Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 06:08 AM To: 'English Wikipedia' Subject: Re: [WikiEN-l] Jayjg is not AWOL
on 8/28/07 11:56 PM, Jimmy Wales at jwales@wikia.com wrote:
John Lee wrote:
Might not be fair, but it reflects the perception of how we deal with whistle-blowers. Arguably we haven't had a serious case of something rotten in the state of Wikipedia being exposed, but is there any assurance that how we deal with false whistle-blowers will not be the same way we deal with real ones?
I don't think we really have "whistle-blowers" because we are vibrant open community which is constantly engaged in honest self-assessment and internal dialog, in an atmosphere where respectful dissent and diversity of viewpoints is not just tolerated but actively encouraged.
And yes, this is never perfect, but I think we do a pretty good job of it.
Jimmy,
Much of what you say here is, unfortunately, purely theoretical. There is a strong (if misguided) blind loyalty factor which causes many to take any dissent or criticism of the Project personally; and their reactions reflect this. Critics are seen as enemies at the gate; even when they are behind that gate.
Marc Riddell
-- "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
"Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things."
Winston Churchill
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