request for comment re "contributor-covenant.org"

[Jason McVetta]

I'm sure there's a good joke in here, about the temperament of those folks
who desire to force their CoC down the throats of the many who do not want
it.  Alas I'm not clever enough to come up with quite the right wording.


On Mon, Jan 25, 2016 at 4:33 PM, Zenaan Harkness <zen at freedbms.net> wrote:

> Hi cp-ers,
>
> On the PostgreSQL database mailing list pgsql-general at postgresql.org ,
> they are discussing a Code of Conduct.
>
> A reference and discussion came up around contributor-covenant.org and
> it seems many (allegedly 1000's of "open source projects" have
> "adopted" it, and there appears to quite the campaign to "encourage"
> the PostgreSQL project to likewise adopt that particular agreement.
>
> The pgsql old hands appear to have rejected it. This is a rare thing
> AFAICT. There are a few issues raised about the so-called "contributor
> covenant" which have very clearly, and repeatedly, not been responded
> to, and this has been pointed out, more than once.
>
> Those who chaperone one or more "open source" project mailing lists
> may wish to bring themselves up to speed with this so-called
> "covenant" before the steamroller hits your group/ list/ community,
> since it seems inevitable at this point.
>
> Being riveted and enraptured by concepts of "enforcement",
> "protection" of "the marginalized peoples" and as y'all know, my
> raving crusade to further promote "political correctness", I figured I
> should go and read this "covenant" to find out what all the fuss might
> be about and add some scare quotes at appropriate places.
>
> So I went and read it.
>
> It simply, abso-firetruckingly, demands a response, and beyond what
> appears to have currently been tippy toe on eggshells burped out so
> far.
>
> Here is my first draft to respond to it, I encourage others to refine
> my oh-so-subtle analysis, but most importantly to bring yourself up to
> speed with the PC-speak which might freight train into one or more of
> your "open source" worlds in the relatively near future; informed
> ahead of time may be enough to be armed against long and actually
> divisive email discussions, as internet searching sadly tells.
>
> The below is my second woeful attempt to bring some sanity to that
> "covenant". It needs your improvements.
>
> Good luck,
> Zenaan
>
> ----
> http://contributor-covenant.org/
>
> >> Contributor Covenant
> >> A Code of Conduct for Open Source Projects.
>
> Sounds reasonable.
>
>
> >> Open Source has always been a foundation of the Internet, and with the
> advent
> >> of social open source networks this is more true than ever.
>
> Let's hope free libre and open source software - FLOSS, stays as the
> foundation
> of the Internet!
>
> "social open source networks" - what?? Facebook social network??
>
> Use of new terminology, without explaining that terminology, and
> presuming it is known and well understood terminology, in a document
> you are pushing as a new and additional "social contract" which others
> are pressed upon to adopt and enforce, is IMHO passive aggressive.
>
>
> >> But free, libre, and open source projects suffer from a startling lack
> of
> >> diversity, with dramatically low participation by women, people of
> color, and
> >> other marginalized populations.
>
> Those who have an interest in promoting, assisting, sponsoring and
> generally
> facilitating "the diversity" within this particular libre software
> project or mailing list,
> are welcome to do so and in general, ought be supported to the extent that
> their
> actions and words are neither actively nor passively aggressive towards any
> member of this mailing list, and are actually supportive of the
> technical goals of
> this project.
>
>
> >> Part of this problem
>
> Lack of diversity may be viewed as a problem.
>
> Such a viewpoint is a personal, individual matter. Your personal,
> individual
> opinion on this matter may be discussed, but in general is off topic for
> this
> mailing list.
>
> Speaking or writing that "lack of diversity is a problem", and even moreso,
> building the presumption into the words of a so-called "social covenant",
> where
> that presumption is almost hidden and "not up for debate", is a passive
> aggressive approach to communication with others who may or may not
> disagree with this position.
>
> Passive aggressive communication is not welcome on this mailing list.
>
>
> >> lies with the very structure of some projects:
>
> What is "the very structure of a project"? This phrase is too generic, and
> not
> explained, despite the next part of that sentence which follows below,
> which
> appears to pretend to answer (or define) the phrase - it does not.
>
> Phrases and terminologies used out of context and having indefinite and
> vague
> meanings, is a sign of passive aggressive communication and all
> members of this mailing list are encourage to ridicule such
> communication.
>
>
> >> the use of insensitive language, thoughtless use of pronouns,
> assumptions of
> >> gender, and even sexualized or culturally insensitive names.
>
> Although certain social niceties are encouraged on this mailing list, they
> are
> not required and indeed firm, clear and precise languaging is valued and
> encouraged.
>
> If you are overly sensitive, or in need (or desire) of an emotionally
> sensitive
> environment, then consider another mailing list - this mailing list is
> likely
> not for you, and if you are in need of any professional help, you are
> encouraged
> and indeed required to seek professional medical and or psychological
> advice
> and or support.
>
>
> >> Marginalized people also suffer some of the unintended consequences of
> >> dogmatic insistence on meritocratic principles of governance.
>
> There are forums and mailing lists which are suitable for those who have
> learning difficulties (reference?), for those who need an emotionally
> sensitive
> environment (be sure to check if you need professional medical or
> psychological support), and for those who are beginniners in the field of
> technology discussed on this mailing list.
>
> In all of these cases, this mailing list is not for you, and you will be
> encouraged to leave if we discover that any of these conditions apply to
> you.
>
> Take note, we heartily welcome the opportunity to joust against your best
> attempts to otherwise deceive us in regards to such conditions applying to
> you,
> although in general in such cases, please expect derision and ridicule for
> wasting our time in such circumstances.
>
>
> >> Studies have shown that organizational cultures that value meritocracy
> often
> >> result in greater inequality.
>
> This is a baseless assertion. Provide the references or go away. Such
> an unsupported, unreferenced and 'plastic' attempt to dominate our
> community into conforming, acting and behaving according to your
> standards is unwelcome in the extreme, and grounds for the ridicule of
> you.
>
> In any case, this mailing list is for those who have a minimum intermediate
> skill and understanding in the programming languages and technologies for
> which it has been established, and is explicitly not for those who are
> overly
> sensitive and need an emotionally supportive environment - we might have
> a laugh, and it may be at your expense, so if you can't laugh at yourself,
> this mailing list is definitely not for you.
>
>
> >> People with "merit" are often excused for their bad behavior in public
> spaces
> >> based on the value of their technical contributions.
>
> You may join this mailing list, but by doing so you agree to speak clearly
> and
> assertively if you feel offended, or otherwise to respectfully leave the
> mailing
> list, as it is unmoderated and uncensored, although discussion is generally
> sought to be on topic, and for offtopic digressions to be kept short and
> taken
> offlist or to an alternate list if they persist.
>
> Additionally, your consideration that this mailing list is a public
> space, is only partially correct. This mailing list is a list which is
> open to conditional membership, and the list administrator reserves
> the right to ban you temporarily and or permanently at any time, but
> with prior notice and opportunity for discussion given on this mailing
> list.
>
> Take Notice further that the discussions had by members of this
> mailing list are archived publicly, so to this extent the list may be
> considered public, whilst it is strictly a members only mailing list
> who choose to have certain public discussions, which may include
> attempting to ridicule -you-, so obtain a temporary membership to this
> email mailing list only after very careful consideration by you. If
> you are at all unsure of your suitability to our list, we are happy to
> help you decide by analysing your proposed introduction email of
> yourself.
>
>
> >> Meritocracy also naively assumes a level playing field, in which
> everyone has
> >> access to the same resources, free time, and common life experiences to
> draw
> >> upon.
>
> The sentence above is another passive-aggressive, presumption filled
> projected
> assertion.
>
> Such communication has no place on this mailing list, except as the target
> of
> naming the presumptions, highlighting the passive aggressive nature and
> generally tearing it to shreads and providing an opportunity for the
> mailing list members to laugh like hyenas.
>
> - >> "Meritocracy naively assumes"
>
> Meritocracy does no such thing - it is not a person.
>
> - >> "Meritocracy also naively assumes a level playing field,"
>
> Meritocracy does no such thing - in fact it is the opposite - meritocracy
> is a
> socio political agreement, contract  and or requirement that participants
> in the
> system shall be judged based on their technical merit and or
> performance. In our case, slow performance is entirely acceptable, you
> are under no requirement nor expectation to make contributions
> according to any schedule, only on your own free time and personal
> pleasure.
>
> Making any assertion to the contrary is passive aggressive,
> manipulative, and shall be joyously and most light heartedly
> attacked in words.
>
> - >> "in which everyone has access to the same resources, free time,"
>
> No such assumptions are made on this mailing list, and quite the contrary
> - if you have very little free time for example, or a slow computer, then
> we
> will certainly expect that your contributions may be few and far between
> as compared with someone who has loads of free time or a faster computer
> than you.
>
> If you are experiencing free time and resources problems, then this list is
> DEFINITELY not the place for you - you are explicitly instructed to seek
> professional time management advice as well as professional financial
> counselling. DO NOT bring such personal problems to this mailing list, as
> they
> will be used as instant grounds for removal and for barring from the
> list, although more likely simply as grounds for ridicule and laughing
> like hyenas.
>
> - >> "and common life experiences to draw upon."
>
> Once again, "meritocracy" (to the extent we can personify a socio political
> system), and "we" the members of this mailing list in particular, make no
> such
> assumptions whatsoever, and we more importantly, put no such requirements
> upon
> you.
>
> So sleep tight, it's all alright, we won't hold your differing life
> experiences against you, in fact we may be intrigued, but if a
> particular experience you share starts to cause an extended off topic
> discussion, take notice that we reserve the right to calmly let you
> know this so that we can get back to the topics intended for this
> mailing list.
>
> This list may be a platform, but at most only for those robust enough
> to hold their own on the topic they make a post about.
>
> If you join this mailing list, you are strongly encouraged to communicate
> your
> personal concerns and problems, needs and requirements at the earliest
> stage
> possible, preferably in in your introduction email with a well
> identified subject
> line.
>
> Then we will be able to readily assess whether this mailing list is
> suitable for you or whether you need to find another, more appropriate
> environment in which to express yourself and or to find a "contribution
> space" which is suitable for your needs.
>
> If you are unsure, then you are welcome to introduce yourself in this way,
> and we will respectfully assess your suitability to the mailing list as
> best
> we can.
>
> Take notice that we are not professionals in any field, indeed we are
> amateurs that might be in your personal medical or other interests to
> NOT associate with, and that if you require any professional advice,
> medical or otherwise, then you are required to seek such advice from
> suitably certificated professionals in your area - we on this mailing
> list cannot help you in such circumstances and if you fail to inform
> us of any such problems and or issues you may have that you consider
> we would otherwise be responsible for, then you may be in breech of
> the legislation in your jurisdiction - deceive the members of this
> mailing list at your own legal liability.
>
> On this mailing list, robust communication is a prime valued
> contribution - if you are actively wanting to improve your emotional
> robustness, this mailing list could possibly be a suitable place for
> you - feel free to ask us about this specifically in relation to you.
>
>
> >> These factors and more make contributing to open
> >> source a daunting prospect for many people,
>
> If your emotional strength, your social and or communication capacity, and
> or
> your psychological needs are an issue in any way, you are not welcome on
> this
> mailing list and we require you to seek professional medical advice.
>
>
> >> especially women and other underrepresented people. (For more critical
> >> analysis of meritocracy, refer to this entry on the Geek Feminism wiki.)
>
> If you have any trigger words, emotional weaknesses and or sensitivities
> which
> may cause you to have any reaction whatsoever, you are required to inform
> the
> members of this mailing list in an introduction email if you do join the
> list,
> and if you are required to do so, you must seek professional medical and or
> psychological advice and support - this mailing list is most likely an
> inappropriate place for you to join, and we continue to encourage ourselves
> to not hold back in reminding you this.
>
>
> >> A Small Step Forward
> >> An easy way to begin addressing this problem
>
> You may have some problem, and this mailing list not the place for you to
> fix
> your problem. Only technical matters related to the technical topic of this
> mailing list are appropriate problems for fixing in discussions on this
> mailing list.
>
> Seek professional advice when you need it, including professional
> advice regarding the technical topic of this mailing list if that is what
> you
> require - this mailing list is for non professionals with at least moderate
> technical competence, all members are volunteers, all members participate
> at
> their own discretion and with no obligations upon them and with no
> obligations
> whatsoever to you, including courtesy which is valued, but not
> required - enter at your own risk.
>
>
> >> is to be overt in our openness, welcoming all people to contribute, and
> >> pledging in return to value them as human beings and to foster an
> atmosphere
> >> of kindness, cooperation, and understanding.
>
> This we agree with - we, the members of this mailing list, proclaim our
> intention to welcome all people to contribute, and to value each member as
> a
> human being. We encourage each other to foster an atmosphere of kindness,
> cooperation and understanding, and robustness in communication -
> passive aggressive communication, despite the best intentions of the
> one making such passive aggressive communication, has no place in our
> community.
>
> And take notice - persistent bad behaviour, 'bad' by the assessment of
> the members alone and discussed publicly on this mailing list, shall
> be cause for temporary and or permanent banning from this mailing
> list.
>
>
> >> The Contributor Covenant can be one way to express these values. Pledge
> your
> >> respect and appreciation for contributors and participants in your open
> >> source project by adding an explicit CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md to your project
> >> repository.
>
> Respect, kindness and cooperation are good things, but this
> "http://contributor-covenant.org/" "contributor covenant" to which we
> hereby
> respond, is in no way or shape getting into our project's repository
> without
> this our response.
>
>
> >> The Contributor Covenant uses semantic versioning for revisions so all
> URLs
> >> are permanent. Previous versions are available here: 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2
>
> >> Using the Contributor Covenant
>
> >> We recommend that you add the Markdown or text version of the
> Contributor
> >> Covenant to your source code repository at the root level.
>
> >> Thanks to Simon Vansintjan there is an automated way to add Contributor
> >> Covenant to your project. Assuming that you have node installed, simply
> run
> >> the following two commands from your project folder:
>
> >>     npm install -g covgen
> >>     covgen your_email_address
>
> >> You may want to add language similar to this to introduce your code of
> conduct:
>
> >>     Please note that this project is released with a Contributor Code of
> >>     Conduct. By participating in this project you agree to abide by its
> >>     terms.
>
> >> You may also use the permalinks given above to reference from your
> project
> >> home page.
>
> >> Important! You must add a contact method to the placeholder in the
> document
> >> so that people know how to report violations.  Enforcing the Contributor
> >> Covenant
>
> This above paragraph does not quite feel right. If the members of this
> mailing
> list are so anti-social that genuine "social problems" cannot be resolved
> on the
> mailing list itself, then this "community" of members is quite likely
> beyond
> repair without substantial work by robust individuals with a passion to
> heal the
> community - if you are not such an individual, then you best leave that
> job to
> comeone who is, and take yourself to a kinder, gentler happy place.
>
>
> >> Do not simply add the Contributor Covenant to your project and assume
> that
> >> any problems with civility, harassment, or discrimination will be
> solved. As
> >> a project maintainer you must be committed to enforcing the code of
> conduct.
>
> There may be a time and place for banning members from this mailing list,
> temporarily and or permanently, but such discussions shall continue to be
> public, on the mailing list itself and open to discussion and
> contribution by all members. No duty is incumbent upon any member,
> including the "project maintainer" - if the community can't work out
> its problems, it is unfair to place such a burden upon such a one
> individual.
>
>
> >> A code of conduct without enforcement sends a false signal that your
> project
> >> is welcoming and inclusive, and can create a dangerous situation for
> >> marginalized people who participate.
>
> "Marginalized people" who are not competent to contribute on some
> technical level (which includes documentation writing, testing as well
> as programming), are not welcome - we the members of this mailing list
> are volunteers and, on this particular mailing list, are not willing
> to tutor those who have special needs - do not join the mailing list
> in such circumstances, there are other, appropriate forums, mailing
> lists and learning institutions which you ought apply to.
>
> Genuinely anti-social communication is actively discouraged, and this
> includes
> those who communicate deceptively regarding their own needs and or social
> environment requirements, as well as those who communicate in a passive
> aggressive way. If you this any of these types of communication may apply
> to
> you, then be prepared to suffer the consequences should you join this
> mailing
> list - we shall roast you in words, with glee!
>
>
> >> Adding the Contributor Covenant to a project places responsibility on
> the
> >> project team that must not be taken lightly.
>
> Since the archives of this mailing list are public, should you have even
> the
> smallest concern regarding your own robustness in public communication,
> then you
> are invited to browse those archives and make an assessment as to whether
> you
> are a suitable candidate to join this mailing list. If you do decide to
> join,
> you are required to make your first email an introduction, which
> introduction
> includes a reference to your assessment of the archives as well as any
> needs you
> feel that the members of this list ought be able to meet.
>
>
> >> Before adopting the Contributor Covenant take the time to discuss and
> decide
> >> how to deal with problems as they emerge. Document the policy and
> procedure
>
> Oh, we've taken the time, and "problems as they emerge" shall be
> handled publicly, on this mailing list! To the extent we the members
> of this maliing list consider you a problem, passive aggressive or
> otherwise, we WILL handle you, publicly, with the one caveat that all
> members are in general expected to show respectful consideration in
> respect of all private or "off-list" communications.
>
> If you are uncomfortable with this policy, you are encouraged to find a
> more
> suitable community to join.
>
>
> >> for enforcement, and add it to your README or in another visible,
> appropriate
> >> place. Consider if your project team has the willingness and maturity to
> >> follow through on your enforcement procedures.
>
> A "community" that requires any significant policing, particularly
> clandestine policing, has lost its way - the tyranny of the majority
> is not the healthiest way, in the opinion of some members - speak
> clearly, speak the truth, and seek a fair response; if you don't
> receive a fair response, another community might be much less work for
> you, even if it provides less opportunities for emotional growth for
> you.
>
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