- From: Laura Carlson <laura.lee.carlson@gmail.com>
- Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:41:10 -0500
- To: Ian Hickson <ian@hixie.ch>
- Cc: HTML WG <public-html@w3.org>, Sam Ruby <rubys@intertwingly.net>, Chris Wilson <Chris.Wilson@microsoft.com>, Maciej Stachowiak <mjs@apple.com>, Anne van Kesteren <annevk@opera.com>, Catherine Roy <ecrire@catherine-roy.net>, Gez Lemon <gez.lemon@gmail.com>, Leif Halvard Silli <lhs@malform.no>, Philip TAYLOR <p.taylor@rhul.ac.uk>, Robert J Burns <rob@robburns.com>, Roger Johansson <roger@456bereastreet.com>, W3C WAI-XTECH <wai-xtech@w3.org>
Ian wrote: > Is that what you mean by collaboration? I mean real debate. I've wondered recently whatever happened to the form of discussion known as debate. I don't mean argument, or hurling insults or making every effort to look right no matter what the facts may be. I don't mean twisting the facts to suit a viewpoint, or selectively choosing those points in a subject which happen to favor a position, while ignoring the rest. I mean debate; the honest evaluation of a subject to determine what is real, where both sides of an issue actively and enthusiastically seek out the truth. Yes, the truth...that which is the bottom line, the real deal, what is actually happening and why. Maybe PF and HTML WGs can work together and actually debate. I think that the art of debate is almost dead. Debate died when it became popular and common place to sacrifice truth for the sake of ego, or for money. In other words, it takes honesty to have a real debate, and without that, what you've got are just egos and agendas that will do anything to be 'right', even if that means lying, making up false issues, making every issue a personal one, or changing the subject every two minutes. Having an honest discussion for any length of time has become very rare indeed. Staying on a topic or subject is practically unheard of, and so, any real depth of understanding between people in this modern age is equally shallow. I've been thinking about this, and contemplated it earnestly for a long time now. I think the reasons for this dilemma vary, but the bottom line has become very clearer to me. Essentially, we have become a society that puts little or no value on seeking, speaking or living truth. In fact, the word 'truth' is rarely used in daily conversation. Unfortunately, it is commonly believed that the truth is something to sacrifice, if that is what is convenient. We're very casual with it. What is of most importance to the majority of people is the saving of ego, staying in one's comfort zone, and putting one's feelings or agenda above all else. Too many people have shut off their hearts and minds from the possibility of hearing something that might actually change their mind. When people are unwilling to even consider an alternative point of view, the only inevitable outcome is deadlock and stagnation. It becomes a never-ending battle of one side trying to gain the slightest of edge over the other, and then the reverse if the balance shifts again. As long as people refuse to make the effort to understand someone else's thoughts and viewpoints, conflict and anger are the result. Frankly, I ‘m tired of being angry. For me now it is more great sadness and disappointment, in the state of affairs. I'm hoping the HTML and PF working groups can work together and actually debate and collaborate to resolve issues. Perhaps the Chairs have concrete ideas on how this can be facilitated. I know that the PF has a caucus on HTML issues [1]. That might be an option. I don’t know. Other ideas? Best Regards, Laura [1] http://esw.w3.org/topic/PF/XTech/HTML5/Caucus -- Laura L. Carlson
Received on Wednesday, 24 June 2009 07:41:53 UTC