[diversity-talk] [HOT] knight civic media session

[Richard Weait]

On Sun, Jun 23, 2013 at 3:19 PM, alyssa wright <alyssapwright at gmail.com>wrote:

> While I'm not sure I agree with all your conclusions -- as I generally
> don't believe people are greedy and ignorant because they choose a
> different path than I do (Go figure. I'm funny like that)
>

Nor do I. Try not to read anything judgemental in my describing them as
ignorant.  They just don't know.

Definition from a web search:

> ig·no·rant
> /ˈignərənt/
> Adjective
>
>    1. Lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about something in
>    particular: "ignorant of astronomy".
>
> So.  Where a person knows enough about OpenStreetMap, for example but any
collaborative Open Data project would work here, to decide to consume the
data, but they don't know that their reciprocal contributions are valued
and worthwhile.  Well, they are ignorant.  If they don't know, then they
don't know.  If we can engage with them perhaps we can find out where our
message can be refined so that they will know that their contributions are
valued.

But on the other hand, where that same person is consuming data and
benefiting in the same way, and they DO know that they could make
contributions back and improve the data source for others BUT they choose
not to do so, well, that looks pretty bad on them.

- Some think contributing to OpenStreetMap is too hard.  Okay, that's
either fear or ignorance or some lack in our outreach / training /
reference materials. If they've tried contributing and it is still too
hard, then they are off the hook.

- Some think that they don't have the time.  Okay.  I'll call this
"ignorance" again, as I believe that learning to contribute to
OpenStreetMap will improve your ability to consume OpenStreetMap.  I think
that any "time lost to learning to map" will pay off in terms of whatever
that person is already doing to consume data.

- And some just choose not to contribute when they know that they could,
they know how, and they know that they could make a difference.  I think
that describing them as greedy lets this group off the hook a little but
feel free to suggest another description.
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