Hi All,
After almost 5 years at WMF, I’ve decided to move on from the Foundation. My last day will be June 4th.
These last few years have been an unexpected journey. When Anasuya Senguta and Jessie Wild recruited me in 2014, I didn't know what awaited me. I didn't know that I could learn so much about epistemology, power, resilience, and community in such a short period of time. I couldn't know how indelibly I would change - in my perspectives, my approaches, and my beliefs.
But I have learned *so much*. From the countless conversations I've had and observed. From working with hundreds of staff and volunteers to understand different community needs https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Development[1], build new tools https://eventmetrics.wmflabs.org/[2], reflect https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Strategy/Wikimedia_Foundation_grantmaking_review/Intro[3] on current programs, understand the breadth and depth of our gaps https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gender_equity_report_2018[4], understand our longer-term impact https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Impact[5], and find the path forward.
And because we are Wikimedia, it's unsurprising that I leave having learned the limits of my own knowledge, the power of collective discourse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensemaking[6], and the weight of my own power and privilege in seeing systemic, cultural change happen.
This journey honestly wasn’t an easy ride. I laughed and cried, triumphed and despaired, argued and made up; I felt supported and isolated, powerful and powerless. I saw the tremendous beauty that Wikimedia creates and the long road still to come.
But despite the rough ride, when I think back on my time here I will always treasure the kaleidoscope of small moments that brought me joy: grammar advice from Asaf, introducing Felix to Korean food, learning that many of you are artists or musicians or poets, learning wikitext (yes, I actually enjoyed that), dancing until my feet hurt, learning to love karaoke, impromptu lunches and dinners, and many *many* walks and virtual coffee chats.
So thank you all for sharing your wisdom, humor, and time with me. Thank you Wikimedia for being a place that I could grow and learn. I will still be around on the interwebs (and in San Francisco if you ever are in town), and look forward to watching how you grow.
For now, I leave you with this quote:
"In a complex, technological world, most of us are experts at something. More importantly, being a true expert means having a healthy dose of humility. If you have really studied something and really gone deep into how it works, then you should come away knowing how much you don't know. *In a sense, that is the real definition of an expert — knowing the limits of one's own knowledge.*" - Adam Frank, National Public Radio [7]
With much love, Sati
[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Development [2] https://eventmetrics.wmflabs.org/ [3] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Strategy/Wikimedia_Foundation_grantma... [4] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gender_equity_report_2018 [5] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Impact [6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensemaking [7] https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/04/07/522992390/why-expertise-matters
I am truly shattered to hear this
I hope that we as an organization will learn from your departure, how we have failed you and how we can stop failing other Satis that will walk through our org door. Am taking time to process this and it hurts right now. Its hurts really bad.
At the very least, I hope we can stay friends and that you will continue to find ways to share your wisdom in how we can better learn from the work we do and the support we give to the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who make this mission even worthwhile.
Hugs
Dumisani Ndubane
Monitoring & Evaluation Strategist
Wikimedia Foundation https://wikimediafoundation.org/
On Thu, May 16, 2019 at 10:32 PM Sati Houston shouston@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hi All,
After almost 5 years at WMF, I’ve decided to move on from the Foundation. My last day will be June 4th.
These last few years have been an unexpected journey. When Anasuya Senguta and Jessie Wild recruited me in 2014, I didn't know what awaited me. I didn't know that I could learn so much about epistemology, power, resilience, and community in such a short period of time. I couldn't know how indelibly I would change - in my perspectives, my approaches, and my beliefs.
But I have learned *so much*. From the countless conversations I've had and observed. From working with hundreds of staff and volunteers to understand different community needs https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Development[1], build new tools https://eventmetrics.wmflabs.org/[2], reflect < https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Strategy/Wikimedia_Foundation_grantma...
[3]
on current programs, understand the breadth and depth of our gaps https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gender_equity_report_2018[4], understand our longer-term impact https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Impact[5], and find the path forward.
And because we are Wikimedia, it's unsurprising that I leave having learned the limits of my own knowledge, the power of collective discourse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensemaking[6], and the weight of my own power and privilege in seeing systemic, cultural change happen.
This journey honestly wasn’t an easy ride. I laughed and cried, triumphed and despaired, argued and made up; I felt supported and isolated, powerful and powerless. I saw the tremendous beauty that Wikimedia creates and the long road still to come.
But despite the rough ride, when I think back on my time here I will always treasure the kaleidoscope of small moments that brought me joy: grammar advice from Asaf, introducing Felix to Korean food, learning that many of you are artists or musicians or poets, learning wikitext (yes, I actually enjoyed that), dancing until my feet hurt, learning to love karaoke, impromptu lunches and dinners, and many *many* walks and virtual coffee chats.
So thank you all for sharing your wisdom, humor, and time with me. Thank you Wikimedia for being a place that I could grow and learn. I will still be around on the interwebs (and in San Francisco if you ever are in town), and look forward to watching how you grow.
For now, I leave you with this quote:
"In a complex, technological world, most of us are experts at something. More importantly, being a true expert means having a healthy dose of humility. If you have really studied something and really gone deep into how it works, then you should come away knowing how much you don't know. *In a sense, that is the real definition of an expert — knowing the limits of one's own knowledge.*" - Adam Frank, National Public Radio [7]
With much love, Sati
[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Development [2] https://eventmetrics.wmflabs.org/ [3]
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Strategy/Wikimedia_Foundation_grantma... [4] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gender_equity_report_2018 [5] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Impact [6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensemaking [7]
https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/04/07/522992390/why-expertise-matters
--
Sati Houston Senior Strategist, Grants Wikimedia Foundation http://www.wikimediafoundation.org _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
What did you learn about epistemology?
On May 16, 2019, at 1:21 PM, Sati Houston shouston@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hi All,
After almost 5 years at WMF, I’ve decided to move on from the Foundation. My last day will be June 4th.
These last few years have been an unexpected journey. When Anasuya Senguta and Jessie Wild recruited me in 2014, I didn't know what awaited me. I didn't know that I could learn so much about epistemology, power, resilience, and community in such a short period of time. I couldn't know how indelibly I would change - in my perspectives, my approaches, and my beliefs.
But I have learned *so much*. From the countless conversations I've had and observed. From working with hundreds of staff and volunteers to understand different community needs https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Development[1], build new tools https://eventmetrics.wmflabs.org/[2], reflect https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Strategy/Wikimedia_Foundation_grantmaking_review/Intro[3] on current programs, understand the breadth and depth of our gaps https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gender_equity_report_2018[4], understand our longer-term impact https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Impact[5], and find the path forward.
And because we are Wikimedia, it's unsurprising that I leave having learned the limits of my own knowledge, the power of collective discourse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensemaking[6], and the weight of my own power and privilege in seeing systemic, cultural change happen.
This journey honestly wasn’t an easy ride. I laughed and cried, triumphed and despaired, argued and made up; I felt supported and isolated, powerful and powerless. I saw the tremendous beauty that Wikimedia creates and the long road still to come.
But despite the rough ride, when I think back on my time here I will always treasure the kaleidoscope of small moments that brought me joy: grammar advice from Asaf, introducing Felix to Korean food, learning that many of you are artists or musicians or poets, learning wikitext (yes, I actually enjoyed that), dancing until my feet hurt, learning to love karaoke, impromptu lunches and dinners, and many *many* walks and virtual coffee chats.
So thank you all for sharing your wisdom, humor, and time with me. Thank you Wikimedia for being a place that I could grow and learn. I will still be around on the interwebs (and in San Francisco if you ever are in town), and look forward to watching how you grow.
For now, I leave you with this quote:
"In a complex, technological world, most of us are experts at something. More importantly, being a true expert means having a healthy dose of humility. If you have really studied something and really gone deep into how it works, then you should come away knowing how much you don't know. *In a sense, that is the real definition of an expert — knowing the limits of one's own knowledge.*" - Adam Frank, National Public Radio [7]
With much love, Sati
[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Development [2] https://eventmetrics.wmflabs.org/ [3] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Strategy/Wikimedia_Foundation_grantma... [4] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gender_equity_report_2018 [5] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Impact [6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensemaking [7] https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/04/07/522992390/why-expertise-matters
--
Sati Houston Senior Strategist, Grants Wikimedia Foundation http://www.wikimediafoundation.org _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
<rant> To be an organization so devoted to knowledge, Wikimedia as such (the projects communities included) knows very little about epistemology. A collection of mere facts, even referenced, is nothing more than information. </rant>
Maybe let's not turn this into a debate about what epistemology is.
*Joseph Fox* enwp.org/user:foxj
On Thu, 16 May 2019 at 16:26, John Erling Blad jeblad@gmail.com wrote:
<rant> To be an organization so devoted to knowledge, Wikimedia as such (the projects communities included) knows very little about epistemology. A collection of mere facts, even referenced, is nothing more than information. </rant>
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
On 16/05/2019 23:29, Joseph Fox wrote:
Maybe let's not turn this into a debate about what epistemology is.
Would this really be the Wikimedia we all know and love if we didn't?
Regardless, I'm glad Sati took the time to write this up. I thought it was an excellent description of just how truly terrible and wonderful things can be around here, and such poetry put to words only does us good, really. Now let's bikeshed!
-I
Dear Sati,
I wish you all the best for the future and I feel like we are losing a very valuable person. Thank for sharing your thoughts about the “limit of knowledge”. Of course some of us would certainly like to know why we are losing you. I would in any case.
Kind regards,
Natacha
Le 17 mai 2019 à 01:50, Isarra Yos zhorishna@gmail.com a écrit :
On 16/05/2019 23:29, Joseph Fox wrote: Maybe let's not turn this into a debate about what epistemology is.
Would this really be the Wikimedia we all know and love if we didn't?
Regardless, I'm glad Sati took the time to write this up. I thought it was an excellent description of just how truly terrible and wonderful things can be around here, and such poetry put to words only does us good, really. Now let's bikeshed!
-I
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Hi Sati, So sad to hear this but so happy for your growth and your future. Never forget our crazy dances.
A big big hug for now.
With ❤️, Camelia
On Fri, May 17, 2019, 9:53 AM Natacha Rault via Wikimedia-l < wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org> wrote:
Dear Sati,
I wish you all the best for the future and I feel like we are losing a very valuable person. Thank for sharing your thoughts about the “limit of knowledge”. Of course some of us would certainly like to know why we are losing you. I would in any case.
Kind regards,
Natacha
Le 17 mai 2019 à 01:50, Isarra Yos zhorishna@gmail.com a écrit :
On 16/05/2019 23:29, Joseph Fox wrote: Maybe let's not turn this into a debate about what epistemology is.
Would this really be the Wikimedia we all know and love if we didn't?
Regardless, I'm glad Sati took the time to write this up. I thought it
was an excellent description of just how truly terrible and wonderful things can be around here, and such poetry put to words only does us good, really. Now let's bikeshed!
-I
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l
New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
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I am very sad to see you leave, Sati. Your absence will be a net loss for the Foundation, but knowing that it has enabled you to grow, with all the growing pains hat growth entails, is consoling. I hope your new course takes you closer to fulfilling your dreams.
See you on the dance floor, somewhere out there!!!
Big hugs and warm wishes for the best,
K.
On Fri, 17 May 2019 at 11:30, camelia boban camelia.boban@gmail.com wrote:
Hi Sati, So sad to hear this but so happy for your growth and your future. Never forget our crazy dances.
A big big hug for now.
With ❤️, Camelia
On Fri, May 17, 2019, 9:53 AM Natacha Rault via Wikimedia-l < wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org> wrote:
Dear Sati,
I wish you all the best for the future and I feel like we are losing a very valuable person. Thank for sharing your thoughts about the “limit of knowledge”. Of course some of us would certainly like to know why we are losing you. I would in any case.
Kind regards,
Natacha
Le 17 mai 2019 à 01:50, Isarra Yos zhorishna@gmail.com a écrit :
On 16/05/2019 23:29, Joseph Fox wrote: Maybe let's not turn this into a debate about what epistemology is.
Would this really be the Wikimedia we all know and love if we didn't?
Regardless, I'm glad Sati took the time to write this up. I thought it
was an excellent description of just how truly terrible and wonderful things can be around here, and such poetry put to words only does us
good,
really. Now let's bikeshed!
-I
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l
New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
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Oh dear Sati,
Its a really sad day for me, thanks for being a friend and a mentor. Its always being exciting working with you and I will miss that a lot, but we have to do it one last time before you leave RA WG awaits you!
Gosh I will miss the adventures of an Eskimo :-), I wish you the best on your next adventure.
Don't be a stranger!
On Fri, May 17, 2019 at 10:57 AM Kalliope Tsouroupidou < ktsouroupidou@wikimedia.org> wrote:
I am very sad to see you leave, Sati. Your absence will be a net loss for the Foundation, but knowing that it has enabled you to grow, with all the growing pains hat growth entails, is consoling. I hope your new course takes you closer to fulfilling your dreams.
See you on the dance floor, somewhere out there!!!
Big hugs and warm wishes for the best,
K.
On Fri, 17 May 2019 at 11:30, camelia boban camelia.boban@gmail.com wrote:
Hi Sati, So sad to hear this but so happy for your growth and your future. Never forget our crazy dances.
A big big hug for now.
With ❤️, Camelia
On Fri, May 17, 2019, 9:53 AM Natacha Rault via Wikimedia-l < wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org> wrote:
Dear Sati,
I wish you all the best for the future and I feel like we are losing a very valuable person. Thank for sharing your thoughts about the “limit of knowledge”. Of
course
some of us would certainly like to know why we are losing you. I would
in
any case.
Kind regards,
Natacha
Le 17 mai 2019 à 01:50, Isarra Yos zhorishna@gmail.com a écrit :
On 16/05/2019 23:29, Joseph Fox wrote: Maybe let's not turn this into a debate about what epistemology is.
Would this really be the Wikimedia we all know and love if we didn't?
Regardless, I'm glad Sati took the time to write this up. I thought
it
was an excellent description of just how truly terrible and wonderful things can be around here, and such poetry put to words only does us
good,
really. Now let's bikeshed!
-I
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l
New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe:
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
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-- Kalliope Tsouroupidou Senior Trust & Safety Specialist Wikimedia Foundation _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Hi Sati, We were working together paste year in Berlin for a while but I had an excellent impression of you. I think you are brilliant! Thanks for everything.
Elena Sanz
*Secretaria de Wikimedia España*
On Fri, 17 May 2019 at 13:20, Felix Nartey flixtey@gmail.com wrote:
Oh dear Sati,
Its a really sad day for me, thanks for being a friend and a mentor. Its always being exciting working with you and I will miss that a lot, but we have to do it one last time before you leave RA WG awaits you!
Gosh I will miss the adventures of an Eskimo :-), I wish you the best on your next adventure.
Don't be a stranger!
On Fri, May 17, 2019 at 10:57 AM Kalliope Tsouroupidou < ktsouroupidou@wikimedia.org> wrote:
I am very sad to see you leave, Sati. Your absence will be a net loss for the Foundation, but knowing that it has enabled you to grow, with all the growing pains hat growth entails, is consoling. I hope your new course takes you closer to fulfilling your dreams.
See you on the dance floor, somewhere out there!!!
Big hugs and warm wishes for the best,
K.
On Fri, 17 May 2019 at 11:30, camelia boban camelia.boban@gmail.com wrote:
Hi Sati, So sad to hear this but so happy for your growth and your future. Never forget our crazy dances.
A big big hug for now.
With ❤️, Camelia
On Fri, May 17, 2019, 9:53 AM Natacha Rault via Wikimedia-l < wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org> wrote:
Dear Sati,
I wish you all the best for the future and I feel like we are losing
a
very valuable person. Thank for sharing your thoughts about the “limit of knowledge”. Of
course
some of us would certainly like to know why we are losing you. I
would
in
any case.
Kind regards,
Natacha
Le 17 mai 2019 à 01:50, Isarra Yos zhorishna@gmail.com a écrit
:
On 16/05/2019 23:29, Joseph Fox wrote: Maybe let's not turn this into a debate about what epistemology
is.
Would this really be the Wikimedia we all know and love if we
didn't?
Regardless, I'm glad Sati took the time to write this up. I thought
it
was an excellent description of just how truly terrible and wonderful things can be around here, and such poetry put to words only does us
good,
really. Now let's bikeshed!
-I
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l
New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe:
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
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-- Kalliope Tsouroupidou Senior Trust & Safety Specialist Wikimedia Foundation _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
-- *Felix Nartey* *Cofounder/Board Chair * *Website: Open Foundation West Africa https://openfoundationwestafrica.org/* *+233242844987 | **+4915202421275* *Skype:Flixtey* _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Sati.
You are and will have been one of the single smartest minds we've ever had at the Wikimedia Foundation. The Wikimedia Foundation, both as a whole and the individuals who make it up, will be lesser without your presence and your insight and it will be noticeable and felt throughout for many years.
Best of luck Seddon
On Fri, 17 May 2019, 12:19 Felix Nartey, flixtey@gmail.com wrote:
Oh dear Sati,
Its a really sad day for me, thanks for being a friend and a mentor. Its always being exciting working with you and I will miss that a lot, but we have to do it one last time before you leave RA WG awaits you!
Gosh I will miss the adventures of an Eskimo :-), I wish you the best on your next adventure.
Don't be a stranger!
On Fri, May 17, 2019 at 10:57 AM Kalliope Tsouroupidou < ktsouroupidou@wikimedia.org> wrote:
I am very sad to see you leave, Sati. Your absence will be a net loss for the Foundation, but knowing that it has enabled you to grow, with all the growing pains hat growth entails, is consoling. I hope your new course takes you closer to fulfilling your dreams.
See you on the dance floor, somewhere out there!!!
Big hugs and warm wishes for the best,
K.
On Fri, 17 May 2019 at 11:30, camelia boban camelia.boban@gmail.com wrote:
Hi Sati, So sad to hear this but so happy for your growth and your future. Never forget our crazy dances.
A big big hug for now.
With ❤️, Camelia
On Fri, May 17, 2019, 9:53 AM Natacha Rault via Wikimedia-l < wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org> wrote:
Dear Sati,
I wish you all the best for the future and I feel like we are losing
a
very valuable person. Thank for sharing your thoughts about the “limit of knowledge”. Of
course
some of us would certainly like to know why we are losing you. I
would
in
any case.
Kind regards,
Natacha
Le 17 mai 2019 à 01:50, Isarra Yos zhorishna@gmail.com a écrit
:
On 16/05/2019 23:29, Joseph Fox wrote: Maybe let's not turn this into a debate about what epistemology
is.
Would this really be the Wikimedia we all know and love if we
didn't?
Regardless, I'm glad Sati took the time to write this up. I thought
it
was an excellent description of just how truly terrible and wonderful things can be around here, and such poetry put to words only does us
good,
really. Now let's bikeshed!
-I
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l
New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe:
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
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All the best for the future Sati.
Regards, Bobby Shabangu
On Fri, 17 May 2019 at 09:53, Natacha Rault via Wikimedia-l < wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org> wrote:
Dear Sati,
I wish you all the best for the future and I feel like we are losing a very valuable person. Thank for sharing your thoughts about the “limit of knowledge”. Of course some of us would certainly like to know why we are losing you. I would in any case.
Kind regards,
Natacha
Le 17 mai 2019 à 01:50, Isarra Yos zhorishna@gmail.com a écrit :
On 16/05/2019 23:29, Joseph Fox wrote: Maybe let's not turn this into a debate about what epistemology is.
Would this really be the Wikimedia we all know and love if we didn't?
Regardless, I'm glad Sati took the time to write this up. I thought it
was an excellent description of just how truly terrible and wonderful things can be around here, and such poetry put to words only does us good, really. Now let's bikeshed!
-I
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Hello Sati
I am sorry to hear about your departure. You were an important asset of the Wikimedia Foundation. Farewell Sati and thank you for your contributions during the journey !
Florence
Le 16/05/2019 à 22:21, Sati Houston a écrit :
Hi All,
After almost 5 years at WMF, I’ve decided to move on from the Foundation. My last day will be June 4th.
These last few years have been an unexpected journey. When Anasuya Senguta and Jessie Wild recruited me in 2014, I didn't know what awaited me. I didn't know that I could learn so much about epistemology, power, resilience, and community in such a short period of time. I couldn't know how indelibly I would change - in my perspectives, my approaches, and my beliefs.
But I have learned *so much*. From the countless conversations I've had and observed. From working with hundreds of staff and volunteers to understand different community needs https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Development[1], build new tools https://eventmetrics.wmflabs.org/[2], reflect https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Strategy/Wikimedia_Foundation_grantmaking_review/Intro[3] on current programs, understand the breadth and depth of our gaps https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gender_equity_report_2018[4], understand our longer-term impact https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Impact[5], and find the path forward.
And because we are Wikimedia, it's unsurprising that I leave having learned the limits of my own knowledge, the power of collective discourse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensemaking[6], and the weight of my own power and privilege in seeing systemic, cultural change happen.
This journey honestly wasn’t an easy ride. I laughed and cried, triumphed and despaired, argued and made up; I felt supported and isolated, powerful and powerless. I saw the tremendous beauty that Wikimedia creates and the long road still to come.
But despite the rough ride, when I think back on my time here I will always treasure the kaleidoscope of small moments that brought me joy: grammar advice from Asaf, introducing Felix to Korean food, learning that many of you are artists or musicians or poets, learning wikitext (yes, I actually enjoyed that), dancing until my feet hurt, learning to love karaoke, impromptu lunches and dinners, and many *many* walks and virtual coffee chats.
So thank you all for sharing your wisdom, humor, and time with me. Thank you Wikimedia for being a place that I could grow and learn. I will still be around on the interwebs (and in San Francisco if you ever are in town), and look forward to watching how you grow.
For now, I leave you with this quote:
"In a complex, technological world, most of us are experts at something. More importantly, being a true expert means having a healthy dose of humility. If you have really studied something and really gone deep into how it works, then you should come away knowing how much you don't know. *In a sense, that is the real definition of an expert — knowing the limits of one's own knowledge.*" - Adam Frank, National Public Radio [7]
With much love, Sati
[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Development [2] https://eventmetrics.wmflabs.org/ [3] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Strategy/Wikimedia_Foundation_grantma... [4] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gender_equity_report_2018 [5] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Impact [6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensemaking [7] https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/04/07/522992390/why-expertise-matters
I want to echo Seddon's comment: you are one of the most capable, incisive and strategic thinkers at the Foundation. Our movement is weaker with the loss of both your insight and your ability to embody the individual voices from throughout the movement channelled through your research. You have created a powerful legacy.
I know you will do amazing things with whatever is next!
Cheers,
Alex
On Fri, May 17, 2019 at 9:49 AM Florence Devouard fdevouard@gmail.com wrote:
Hello Sati
I am sorry to hear about your departure. You were an important asset of the Wikimedia Foundation. Farewell Sati and thank you for your contributions during the journey !
Florence
Le 16/05/2019 à 22:21, Sati Houston a écrit :
Hi All,
After almost 5 years at WMF, I’ve decided to move on from the Foundation. My last day will be June 4th.
These last few years have been an unexpected journey. When Anasuya
Senguta
and Jessie Wild recruited me in 2014, I didn't know what awaited me. I didn't know that I could learn so much about epistemology, power, resilience, and community in such a short period of time. I couldn't know how indelibly I would change - in my perspectives, my approaches, and my beliefs.
But I have learned *so much*. From the countless conversations I've had
and
observed. From working with hundreds of staff and volunteers to
understand
different community needs https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Development[1],
build new
tools https://eventmetrics.wmflabs.org/[2], reflect <
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Strategy/Wikimedia_Foundation_grantma...
[3] on current programs, understand the breadth and depth of our gaps https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gender_equity_report_2018[4],
understand
our longer-term impact <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Impact [5], and find the path forward.
And because we are Wikimedia, it's unsurprising that I leave having
learned
the limits of my own knowledge, the power of collective discourse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensemaking[6], and the weight of my own power and privilege in seeing systemic, cultural change happen.
This journey honestly wasn’t an easy ride. I laughed and cried, triumphed and despaired, argued and made up; I felt supported and isolated,
powerful
and powerless. I saw the tremendous beauty that Wikimedia creates and the long road still to come.
But despite the rough ride, when I think back on my time here I will
always
treasure the kaleidoscope of small moments that brought me joy: grammar advice from Asaf, introducing Felix to Korean food, learning that many of you are artists or musicians or poets, learning wikitext (yes, I actually enjoyed that), dancing until my feet hurt, learning to love karaoke, impromptu lunches and dinners, and many *many* walks and virtual coffee chats.
So thank you all for sharing your wisdom, humor, and time with me. Thank you Wikimedia for being a place that I could grow and learn. I will still be around on the interwebs (and in San Francisco if you ever are in
town),
and look forward to watching how you grow.
For now, I leave you with this quote:
"In a complex, technological world, most of us are experts at something. More importantly, being a true expert means having a healthy dose of humility. If you have really studied something and really gone deep into how it works, then you should come away knowing how much you don't know.
*In
a sense, that is the real definition of an expert — knowing the limits of one's own knowledge.*" - Adam Frank, National Public Radio [7]
With much love, Sati
[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Development [2] https://eventmetrics.wmflabs.org/ [3]
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Strategy/Wikimedia_Foundation_grantma...
[4] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gender_equity_report_2018 [5] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Impact [6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensemaking [7]
https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/04/07/522992390/why-expertise-matters
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Dear Sati,
Although I don't know you well, I remember you asking questions during some meetings that I thought were good questions. I very much appreciate you posting to this list to say goodbye. I hope that this goodbye is temporary, and I hope to see you around the Wikiverse in the future.
Ever onward,
Pine
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