[Foundation-l] Questions about new Fellow

[Birgitte SB]

----- Original Message ----
> From: MZMcBride <z at mzmcbride.com>
> To: Wikimedia Foundation Mailing List <foundation-l at 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