From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 From: Christopher Allan Webber Subject: Re: Being excellent to one another Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2017 17:40:27 -0500 Message-ID: <87inn499gk.fsf@dustycloud.org> References: <20170302084448.2ff6ce96@scratchpost.org> <87fuivxukg.fsf@lassieur.org> <20170305145026.zgoayn46kvpz5ksy@abyayala> <20170307214959.16038114@scratchpost.org> <87r3284x8s.fsf@lassieur.org> <87h92t1qts.fsf@gnu.org> <20170316204527.lnkgc2vot4uqk633@abyayala> <20170317053620.GA16076@jocasta.intra> <20170317162131.GA4354@jasmine> <20170317175802.GB30584@jocasta.intra> <20170318110952.xhhobwl5ep4mlbpj@abyayala> <878to27laf.fsf_-_@gnu.org> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Return-path: Received: from eggs.gnu.org ([2001:4830:134:3::10]:42997) by lists.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1cpjV9-0007rY-FU for guix-devel@gnu.org; Sun, 19 Mar 2017 18:40:40 -0400 Received: from Debian-exim by eggs.gnu.org with spam-scanned (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1cpjV8-0005wQ-I7 for guix-devel@gnu.org; Sun, 19 Mar 2017 18:40:39 -0400 In-reply-to: <878to27laf.fsf_-_@gnu.org> List-Id: "Development of GNU Guix and the GNU System distribution." List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Errors-To: guix-devel-bounces+gcggd-guix-devel=m.gmane.org@gnu.org Sender: "Guix-devel" To: Ludovic =?utf-8?Q?Court=C3=A8s?= Cc: guix-devel@gnu.org Ludovic Court=C3=A8s writes: > Hi there, > > Gentlefolks, please everyone calm down. Being rude or insulting to > fellow hackers is not acceptable on the project=E2=80=99s communication > channels, period. When you feel unable to express your disagreement in > a constructive and respectful manner, please delay your reply until you > can do that. [...] > Besides, while I appreciate it when native English speakers provide > corrections and guidance, I think we as a project must tolerate English > mistakes in our communication. The reason for this is very simple: mos= t > contributors are not native English speakers. English is our > communication medium; it shouldn=E2=80=99t be a hindrance to the inclus= ion of > contributors who do not master it. About English though, I do agree with ng0 about they/them... as a default pronoun, especially when you don't know. It's good English, with longstanding history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singular_they The important thing is to not assume someone's preferred pronouns without knowing them. Singular they isn't your only option; I also happen to like Spivak pronouns: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spivak_pronoun ... which have the delightful connection to hacker culture in their popularity with Lambdamoo, an oldschool MUD. :) Singular they (or even spivak) is also acceptable as a pronoun if someone chooses that. Of course it's possible to make mistakes, but it *is* important to try not to misgender people... both by not making assumptions, and especially when using the right pronouns once you do know. I have both seen people break down into tears and also walk away from communities from being misgendered. That's an important sign of respect towards the person... and it doesn't cost you anything to do it. Be excellent to each other indeed... and here's one critical way to do it.