codema.in
Sat 30 May 2020 9:37PM

Create an Inclusion Policy for FSCI

PB Pirate Bady Public Seen by 131

I would like to suggest to create an Inclusion Policy so as to make our community more welcoming to everyone.

PB

Pirate Bady Thu 24 Sep 2020 9:47PM

Code of Conduct publihsed at https://fsci.in/code-of-conduct/

PP

Poll Created Fri 12 Apr 2024 3:42PM

Amend CoC to prevent people from defending and promoting proprietary software You have until Fri 3 May 2024 2:30PM to participate.

What is the decision you need to make?

In view of the recent discussions in the XMPP/Matrix group regarding WhatsApp, we need to make a policy to avoid repeating a similar situation in future.

Why is this important?

The environment of the group become heated and some people eventually leave when they cannot participate normally without pressure.

What are you asking people to do?

I suggest we add the following to CoC.

Insert a new section before 7. In case of problems and move that to 8. In case of problems and add

  1. Promoting/Defending proprietary software like WhatsApp

Since we are coming together on the basis of a common agreement that Free Software is good and being Free Software is important, when people defend or promote proprietary software like WhatsApp can create tension and repeated arguments can make people uncomfortable. So we should warn people from defending or promoting any proprietary software on our forums. If they don't stop this behavior after a warning is issued, tougher actions like a ban can be considered. Any such decision will need agreement from at least two moderators and no disagreement from any moderator.

At the same time we may have people who are new to Free Software joining from time to time. So we need a place for them to discuss on the merits of Free Software. So new people may question Free Software or defend proprietary software in Matrix/XMPP/IRC for two days and then continue the debate on codema.in/fsci for 7 days.

For this proposal to pass, we need all of members participating to vote Agree. In case we fail to get consensus, this will be moved to permanent members sub group.

If you Disagree, say why and what needs to change for you to Agree.

Current results

Current results Option % of points Voters
Agree 30.0% 3 RD SS PP
Abstain 30.0% 3 A F AP
Disagree 0.0% 0  
Block 40.0% 4 AK PK KVM B
Undecided 0% 251 V K RD VT VKJ HM AM NE D AB A S B NF S RV JKJ S N N

10 of 261 people have participated (3%)

PP

Pirate Praveen
Agree
Fri 12 Apr 2024 3:42PM

I think this is a balanced proposal that allows some kind of questioning from new people without having to defend Free Software all the time.

A

Akshay
Abstain
Fri 12 Apr 2024 3:42PM

I think one of the core projects of a free software community is to share the news of why proprietary software harms freedoms and convince people. Explicitly outlawing such people from articulating their differences makes it look like we are weak. But at the same time, it is completely acceptable to set boundaries we wish for the psychological safety of our community members. I'm equal minded and therefore abstaining.

AK

Arya K
Block
Fri 12 Apr 2024 3:42PM

This is purely an attempt to censor and silence opinions against you. Even if the user isn't in agreement with you, it doesn't mean he deserves to be banned for the thought crime of supporting proprietary software

PP

Pirate Praveen Fri 12 Apr 2024 5:02PM

@Arya K we are not expected to provide a platform for people opposing us to express their ideas. They are free to build their own platforms to express their ideas. Our group is created with an aim to promote Free Software. Do you think a political party is expected to create a stage, arrange mike, bring all their supporters and invite their opponent to speak? We are not opposing their right to express in their own forums or in personal spaces. FSCI discussion groups are not like Twitter or Mastodon, it is created for collaboration on shared values and interests.

PP

Pirate Praveen Fri 12 Apr 2024 5:05PM

@Arya K Do you think Microsoft should allow us to talk about Free Software in their office conference hall and invite all employees to listen to a talk by RMS? If they don't do this are they suppressing Free Speech?

A

Akshay Fri 12 Apr 2024 5:08PM

@Pirate Praveen like this? https://stallman.org/articles/microsoft-talk.html

PP

Pirate Praveen Fri 12 Apr 2024 5:12PM

@Akshay I did not know about this, but by extension, all other proprietary companies that did not invite RMS, say Adobe or Meta, is now censoring Free Software? On the contrary, if RMS went uninvited and was refused entry, does that prove Microsoft is censoring?

A

Akshay Fri 12 Apr 2024 5:17PM

@Pirate Praveen @Arya K I don't believe in the "free speech" argument. Freedom of speech applies in a democracy (like India, USA, etc). In organizations, groups, etc which are formed for a purpose, speech can and must be curtailed towards the realization of the goals. This is the same reason why a CoC exists — to tell people what kind of conduct (including speech) is unacceptable. But on the other hand, if the argument is "diversity of thought" that's an argument that I support very much. As in the example of Microsoft & RMS. Being able to listen to a diverse set of views is an amazing strength.

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