[TriLUG] A sad comment on our culture

[Matt Flyer via TriLUG]

I read this a little differently.  I agree that an environment that is
harsh, brutal, and unforgiving, lowers the chance of bad code getting into
the community.  Undoubtedly, this is an area where if one is going to play
their skills should be on par.

However, (this is where I read the article differently) the impression I
got was that there is a difference between being harsh, brutal, and
unforgiving in a technical aspect and an environment that supports and
encourages attacking the person.  Furthermore, the blog gives the
impression that certain "cults of personality" have developed followers
that entourage this environment, which also seems to be the norm on most,
non or lightly moderated, social websites.


> While you make a good point about be more open about our policy, it seemed
> her post was not about harassment, rather about the brutal comments, the
> kernel development is known to be a harsh, brutal, and unforgiving
> community but it lowers the chance of bad code getting into the community
> when you aren't afraid to question someone's code. I am not saying it is a
> good nor healthy environment but it works. And not everyone can work in
> those conditions, for me that is a good work environment because that's
> where my personality fits. For people who don't like confrontation it
> isn't
> the best place. I am sad to see a Kernel Developer leave, but I would
> rather this be the reason than her being harassed or singled out.