The MetaBrainz Code of Conduct currently does not enumerate unacceptable behaviors. The only clause that touches on issues of discrimination is the very vague rule 4:
MetaBrainz projects have global communities. Be mindful and respectful of different languages, habits and cultures.
I would ask that the Code of Conduct be updated to include an explicit (although non-exhaustive) list of unacceptable behaviors (such as racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, etc.) alongside these general clauses. Naming such behaviors is beneficial because it removes potential for discriminatory behavior being excused by claiming that actions that aim to address discrimination are in fact discriminatory against the original perpetrators, and also because it signals more clearly the good intentions of the project to potential targets of such discrimination.
Obviously the Code of Conduct is not clear enough to stop you from being disrespectful. Or you disregard it on purpose, in which case you should just say so. I think an apology is in order.
Yeah, âbe respectfulâ clearly isnât enough if you think âSJWâ is even remotely that.
âBe respectfulâ doesnât mean squat if nobody is going to set boundaries for what is and isnât respectful. Otherwise, itâs isnât so much a hole in the fence as it is the complete absence of it.
Also want to add, because itâs been playing on my mind a bit, but in more cases than none, thereâs most certainly a need to be even more specific.
Itâs one thing up say âDonât be transphobicâ but itâs also another to recognise the efforts and terminology that gets employed in an attempt to make that transphobia appear more like a legitimate concern to the average person, and thus worming their way around existing rules.
Terms like âgender ideologyâ, for example, which implies that people who support the rights of trans people are part of an effective religion or cult out to subjugate the masses, and the term serves to downplay the needs of trans folk by making them sound irrational.
These tactics arenât specific to trans folk either, though, because you have also have stuff like antisemitic âfollow the moneyâ rants and such.
[EDIT] See also, the absolutely racist appropriation of âwokeâ to turn it into a pejorative.
Please note that the more you go into specifics of what is or isnât appropriate, the easier it becomes to game that by being nasty in another way (like using a different insult). Before you know it youâre wasting time and energy playing whack a mole with trolls, and that is exactly what they want.
Also, the more you add to a code of conduct, the bigger it gets and the less likely it is to be read.
As long as weâre discussing the Code of Conduct, Iâd like to suggest that this wording
be improved. It caught my eye in this thread. âRemaining neutralâ implies to me that one isnât taking a position on an issue, not that one is taking a strong position but advocating it respectfully.
Could we substitute, say, âcivilâ for âneutralâ?
Plus, here I do think âneutralâ is exactly what is intended - i.e. not taking sides in a flame war. Not being neutral in any sort of civil discussion.
@Freso@reosarevok or another person of authority: I would really expect a statement on this, the lack of clarity does not bode well for the moderation climate in this community.
Iâm sure you wonât like it, but allow me to respond.
Speaking about âclarityâ.
In your OP it says:
â(such as racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, etc.)â
Do you really believe it is factually possible for a moderator to decide and determine that a poster is what you would call âracistâ, âhomophobicâ or âtransphobicâ?
And do you have examples of such posts that were not flagged or dealt with?
(and I am not talking about posts that challenged a related matter in a perhaps confronting way)
Do you not trust the moderators to be intelligent, educated and well-informed people that understand the concept of âdecentâ and ârespectfulâ in general, and that they have been applying that in a manner that has been satisfying to the majority of the community?
(I didnât always agree myself, but I am not complaining)
If you believe a forum member wrote something that was disrespectful to a person (and not to an idea!!!), you already have the force to get his post hidden. (which is a silly, lazy, and often falsely used mechanism in my book to be honest)
But the post will get reported, and a moderator will review it and decide (probably after some deliberation with others) what to do.
To be honest, I find it a bit inappropriate and disrespectful to the moderators that you suggest that they would need a handbook with a list of specified âphobiasâ or mental states or motives to be able to decide if a post is off-topic or disrespectful to another person, and that you seem to demand them writing up some official position on the specific words and terminology that you are bringing up.
I am pretty sure there is no racism, phobia, cursing words, etc. in my post.
So other than that, what is it in this specific post of mine that you abhor, and that you are able to specify and write a clear and specific regulation for that the moderators can use to take action against, that they can not do or decide on already?
A good answer to this on-topic question could help your cause hereâŚ
You are equivocating about taking literally the smallest possible symbolic action to show support for trans people, leaving me no choice to consider you a transphobe. I will now mute you and no longer read your replies until I get an official word on this.
Wow.
Wrong again.
I am pro respect for any human being.
Not only in words, also in action.
But I wonât let you or anybody else narrow ârespectâ down to some specific group that you or somebody else decides on, or believes that he is speaking for.
I may have less respect for some ideas or ideologies though.
Absolutely, and not ashamed about it.
But if you are honest you would agree that goes for you too.
Only you (and another member) keep trying to make it a personal and hateful thing on this forum.
But I sincerely wish you the best and hope that you have a good life.
To be honest, I would like to give them the benefit of the doubt, and I am open to being wrong about things, but there certainly is a heavy smell of ideologist trolling in many of their (plural) posts.
