[OSM-talk] LCCWG Moderation Subcommittee holding public discussions on Etiquette Guidelines

[Andrew Hain]

It would also be helpful, to guard against disaffected contributors suing who argue that their expression building the map or the community has unreasonably been impinged on, to remind everyone not to be reckless with the guidelines.

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Andrew
________________________________
From: Bert -Araali- Van Opstal <bert.araali.afritastic at gmail.com>
Sent: 07 September 2021 07:33
To: talk at openstreetmap.org <talk at openstreetmap.org>
Subject: Re: [OSM-talk] LCCWG Moderation Subcommittee holding public discussions on Etiquette Guidelines


Most of this first draft seems a huge and very appreciated improvement to the existing Etiquette guidelines.
I still see some major issues:

  1.  Absence of our core purpose, mapping.
Derogatory comments on individual or groups mapping practices, like f.i. micromapping, 3D mapping, landcover, individual trees etc... are not mentioned as unwanted or exclusive behaviour. Justifications to vote against, revert changes or block guidelines are as discriminating and exclusive as other "socially motivated" etiquette. Same for promoting or lobbying practices with the opposite purpose to prove ones influence or dominance.

  2.  "Effective communication. Stay on topic and be concise."
Speaking from my own habits, being concise can have a very broad interpretation. Higher educated native English speakers have a broad vocabulary or jargon to express their ideas and views, effective and short in their communication. Less proficient English speakers, even anyone not experienced in public conversations might not be able to be concise. This doesn't mean we should allow whole books being written on our mailing list, but we should better define some kind of threshold or directive what concise means. Not allowing long(er) views or responses, enabling someone to make their point more clear but on topic, is an example of open and inclusive communication. Neglecting, being unresponsive or prohibiting communication because it is not concise in ones personal or a committees view is as much exclusive as other unwanted behaviour.
I propose to keep this statement more open as f.i. "Stay on topic. Try to be as concise as possible, but feel comfortable and appropriate to make your point, without dominating. Limit your responses, avoid repetition and allow or assist others to summarize your point(s)."

  3.  Local diversity, culture and "street language".
The etiquette is presented as being globally applicable. What we forget however is the local context. Every response and communication has to be understood and tested with the originators background or the context or space where the conversation takes place. The local context where it is used.
F.i. calling someone a nigger is very abusive and racist from a non coloured unfamiliar person to a coloured person. However within a community might be an expression, commonly used, of familiarity and close friendship, bonding as in the same social position.
Another example f.i. "third world" or "developing countries", "poor countries" when referring to communities with other social, cultural or economical values. An African might call a North American "poor" as in his cultural inheritance, social local micro community behaviour and non predetermined solidarity. However, an aid provider or donator, as referring to economical or financial global significance of African communities uses "poor" in a much different context, justified if the context in which he uses these terms is made clear.
This might seem not a major point for the initially targetted mailing lists. However can become a major issue as we expand to other mailing lists and popular communication channels, and not to forget local chapters.

  4.  Behavior That Will Not Be Tolerated
Does not belong in a comprehensive and general etiquette or code of conduct. Leave it out and up to the moderation team to list a non exhaustive list of examples. Prevent jargon or non generally known terms, both as to describe negative behaviour but also to prevent focus on specific groups to promote their issues or acceptance.

Regards and respect to all of you,

Bert Araali

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