[llvm-dev] Resuming the discussion of establishing an LLVM code of conduct

[Renato Golin via llvm-dev]

On 5 May 2016 at 12:32, David Chisnall via llvm-dev
<llvm-dev at lists.llvm.org> wrote:
> Something like this is required, based on real problems that have existed in some other communities.  If one LLVM contributor is attacking another on Facebook / Twitter / whatever, then it’s not acceptable for the LLVM community to simply say ‘it’s not on our mailing lists, it’s not our problem’.
>
> Similarly, it’s hard to claim that a project is inclusive of group X if committer Y is attacking group X elsewhere in a way that associates the project with their statements (for example, soliciting LLVM-related consulting work from the same account) and the project is happy to permit this.

Let me get this straight... An example, if you allow me:

I'm against the ownership of firearms, and go at great lengths and
poorly choosing words in a discussion, which some could consider rude,
with person X about it. I know person X for decades and have earned
the right to offend him/her personally as they know I don't mean it
(could be a joke, and internal one even). This is a very strong
cultural point in many countries, including Brazil. The stronger two
people can offend each other and shrug, the stronger their bond is.

Completely unrelated, person Y subscribes to my posts on G+, and he is
pro-guns decide he's threatened by my strong opinions, and poor choice
of words on a completely separate forum. He then decides to ask the
committee to block me from the LLVM list on those merits.

This sounds utterly ridiculous to me, but the phrase, as it is, would
allow person Y to do that, and the committee to block me.


> These are not hypothetical problems, they are ones that I have first-hand experience with (though, thankfully, not in this community).  The code of conduct does need to provide a mechanism for addressing these, though the sanctions that can be employed (removal of commit rights, removal of mailing list access) are fairly mild.

In its current form, that phrase allows the exact same sanctions as
all the other issues.


> We don’t want to be in a situation where people can say ‘don’t get involved with LLVM, they hate people like you’

Judging the group by the behaviour of one person outside of the group
is not just generalisation, but prejudice, and the very thing the code
of conduct is trying to curb. Wouldn't this person be better off our
community in the first place?

cheers,
--renato