Comment by edent
8 days ago
> However, it’s important to be kind to other humans and to treat humans with respect.
Very true. But why is that argument never deployed against the bullies?
Chrome's developers say "We want to do X". People say "No, please don't." Chrome says "I'm not going to respect your wishes."
Where's the equality in that?
> Now it can be difficult to voice opposition without coming off as rude but its definitely an important skill for a professional to have.
The same is also true of people making those proposals. Chrome devs should know (from bitter experience) that releasing a high-handed statement, studiously ignoring all dissent, and then swinging the ban-hammer is going to lead to ill-will.
Again, why isn't anyone calling for them to be more calm and respectful of the people they're hurting?
> I wouldn’t want to wish that on anyone.
I've been on the receiving end and - yes - it sucks. But given that they know these proposals would be contentious, why didn't they approach this in a more respectful and collaborative manner?
> Where's the equality in that?
How would you expect equality in an arrangement where you have a few hundred to a few thousand very specific kind of people producing something for billions?
They are in a special position. Every time you depend on someone to do something for you you cannot perform yourself, either due to a time or any other constraint, that is no longer an equal relationship, and it cannot be. You can make it codependent at best, which is not the same, and doesn't apply here.
All the licensing and open collaboration theatrics are just that, "words on a piece of paper" and things that can go away. I feel people really misjudge the "power" they "gain" from "open" and "transparent" processes like this.
> They are in a special position.
And that position should not be that of a dictator.
> Chrome's developers say "We want to do X". People say "No, please don't." Chrome says "I'm not going to respect your wishes."
Absolutely not what's happening in that thread. Complete nonsense. It's a discussion/proposal.
The bullies are the people coming in and commenting with a bunch of rants, personal abuse, etc. Not the ones wanting to have a technical discussion (either pro or against removal). This is classic "reversing victim and offender" abuser/bully stuff.
> Very true. But why is that argument never deployed against the bullies?
Unfortunately part of being an adult is realizing there are no bullies. There are adults with power and some people who wield unfairly, but that’s different from a mean schoolchild, although the similarities are there. I don’t think the people who work on browser standards are bullies and it’s weird to frame them in that way.
> Where's the equality in that?
I guess why do you think there should be equality between users and the people that work on browser standards? It’s a committee not a direct democracy. Although they do take user feedback seriously, they surely can’t only do what every vocal minorities wants right?
> Again, why isn't anyone calling for them to be more calm and respectful of the people they're hurting?
They’re not be disrespectful by moderating the thread. They’re simply trying to do their jobs without being insulted constantly. It’s a bit different. They are actively responding respectfully to the feedback, I don’t think they’re hurting people.
> But given that they know these proposals would be contentious, why didn't they approach this in a more respectful and collaborative manner?
How could it be more collaborative? It’s already a request for feedback on an open forum. The comments aren’t even deleted just hidden because they’re duplicates. I’m curious what could be more collaborative?
> There are adults with power and some people who wield unfairly
Bullies, the mafia… it's a question of scale really.