----- Original Message ----
From: MZMcBride z@mzmcbride.com To: Wikimedia Foundation Mailing List foundation-l@lists.wikimedia.org Sent: Fri, January 21, 2011 12:15:43 PM Subject: Re: [Foundation-l] Questions about new Fellow
Nathan wrote:
Honestly, I don't see how you could expect a better set of answers given your approach. You're not a prosecutor, and you have no right to interrogate him about whatever "improprieties" you and your supposedly like-minded (but anonymous and uncounted) associates perceive. You're also not a shareholder, an auditor, or in any other fashion entitled to receive polite replies to snide implications of corruption.
You're perfectly correct. Or at least what you write sounds good. I can only ask questions and hope that they get answered (I said this in some reply of mine). If they're not answered, oh well. At least the questions are out there. In this case, Achal's responses seem to have highlighted some of the concerns that people are having (I also said this in some reply of mine).
You, like David, seem to be focusing more on my tone (or perceived tone) than the underlying questions being asked, but perhaps that's a predictable (albeit unfortunate) response.
This isn't the first time someone who perceived your tone negatively has written about it seeking a remedy. Perhaps the fault is not with David's nor Nathan's perception skills.
Perhaps you might find more success if you change your approach in the following ways.
1) Don't ask questions you already know the answer to. It seems as if you expect people to lie and is perceived as both insulting and insincere.
2) Do state what your concerns are point-blank. Are you concerned WMF fellowships are too numerous or too generous? Are you concerned that Foo who is better qualified was not given the fellowship instead? Do you have a grievance with this particular fellow or some work he has done in the past? Are you concerned that the work being done as part of the fellowship is not useful? Or do do you think the fellowship itself turned out decently, but are concerned that your input was not solicited when it was in the proposal stage? After reading all your questions which seem to assume some general knowledge that I don't have (i.e. what "people" have been saying), I haven't a clue what your concern actually is.
Birgitte SB