Thought: some standards & open-source work ends up where it is not on technical merit, but b/c the person advocating is adamant their way is correct. Standardization by attrition?
Some upside to strong vision 👍, sad it favors the assertive 😕.
How can we do better? 👇
Some upside to strong vision 👍, sad it favors the assertive 😕.
How can we do better? 👇
I'm certainly guilty of having some idée fixe sometimes. Chairing the WebAssembly CG has taught me how to temper my own convictions, and try to mediate others' debate. Even then it's hard to hold back while having a strong opinion, and I've appreciated being called out.
I've found it useful to:
∙ summarize different points of view out loud
∙ ask quiet attendees to chime in
∙ avoid a handful of people going back-and-forth
∙ go to a social event together, discuss the next day
∙ insist that we assume good faith
∙ summarize different points of view out loud
∙ ask quiet attendees to chime in
∙ avoid a handful of people going back-and-forth
∙ go to a social event together, discuss the next day
∙ insist that we assume good faith
(con't)
∙ state which "hat" you're wearing when expressing a POV
∙ take a vote, ask dissenters what would increase consensus
∙ only revisit prior decisions if new information comes in
∙ summarize prior discussions
∙ record all discussion and decisions
∙ come prepared
∙ state which "hat" you're wearing when expressing a POV
∙ take a vote, ask dissenters what would increase consensus
∙ only revisit prior decisions if new information comes in
∙ summarize prior discussions
∙ record all discussion and decisions
∙ come prepared
(con't)
∙ write down rules, agree on them, stick to them
∙ recognize unimportant bikeshed, ask if others agree
∙ stick to the topic, write down and delay side-topics
∙ time box, punt if over
∙ ask other standards / open-source projects what they do
🙇♂️ What do you do? 🤔
∙ write down rules, agree on them, stick to them
∙ recognize unimportant bikeshed, ask if others agree
∙ stick to the topic, write down and delay side-topics
∙ time box, punt if over
∙ ask other standards / open-source projects what they do
🙇♂️ What do you do? 🤔
One HUGE caveat: this only improves the experience for those who show up. Reaching out to implementors, industry, academics who don't show up is important and difficult. Not all can show up, and therefore need someone willing to represent their views.
This isn't just about underrepresented groups: it also affects experts who have other things to focus on, would rather be with family, can't travel / pay attention, etc. Standards and open-source aren't for everyone, that's fine! We can still benefit from them if we reach out.
