[Foundation-l] Assume good faith

[Oldak Quill]

On 24/12/06, Brion Vibber <brion at pobox.com> wrote:
> I love you guys, seriously. All of you.
>
> And that's not just the eggnog talking... Wikipedia and all our
> Wikimedia projects are, when you think about it, *pretty darn awesome*
> and they exist because some *pretty darn awesome people* are working
> together.
>
> Those pretty awesome people include YOU!
>
> YOU are pretty darn awesome!
>
>
> But we do have a bit of a collective anger management problem.
>
> There's lots of flamefests on the lists, on talk pages, on village
> pumps, in edit wars, in irc, in private mail...
>
> I'm no saint either; I believe I used words such as "idiot" in a certain
> thread a few days ago which I really oughtn't to have.
>
>
> Well, there's no point blaming anyone or saying anything specific here.
> I just want to pass on a big sloppy group hug love letter to all y'all
> Wikimedians out there.
>
>
> Remember, folks, a community like this functions because its members are
> willing and able to communicate to reach some end goal.
>
> If you're about to type off another e-mail or talk page note in anger,
> please... get off the computer for a second. Get a beverage of your
> choice, take a walk, eat a cookie, make a sandwich, tell a joke, stretch
> your legs, anything -- just cool off a second.
>
> When you get back to the computer, pretend for a second that the other
> person might have a point. Even if they are wrong, consider whether what
> you're typing will lead to a useful conversation or if you know it'll
> just make them mad and provoke a further negative response.
>
>
> The worst thing you or I can do is to assume the other person is a jerk
> who refuses to listen to reason and, therefore, we can and should ignore
> anything they say.
>
> I know I'm often guilty of assuming bad faith and taking on an automatic
> defensive position.
>
> What say we all give the opposite a try when we notice ourselves slipping?
>
> HHHHUUUUUGGGGSSSSSSSSS
>
> love,
> brion

All so, so true. Thanks for the message - hope you have a fantastic,
bliss-filled day.

-- 
Oldak Quill (oldakquill at gmail.com)