Re: Tolerance

[Jacob Hoffman-Andrews <[e-mail]>]

To reinforce what Melinda's saying: I dedicate less time to IETF work 
than I otherwise would, specifically because of the hostile and alien 
nature of debate here. I have colleagues who feel the same way, and 
other colleagues who refrain entirely from participating at the IETF 
because of it.

I also moderate a popular forum, and have found that people model their 
behavior on what they see others do - when hostile posts are left 
unchallenged, more people start posting in a hostile way. That's why 
it's particularly important to maintain the highest standards of 
behavior in online communication - to create a virtuous cycle of 
professionalism rather than a downwards cycle of unprofessional behavior.

It can certainly take a lot longer to write an email that expresses 
disagreement strongly but without attacking the recipients (or other 
parties). Often it takes multiple revisions. But it's worth all of us 
taking the time and making those revisions in order to make the IETF a 
sustainable venue.