DEV Community

Discussion on: Explain Deno Like I'm Five

Collapse
 
wuz profile image
Conlin Durbin

I wrote this a while back, but I think it needs to be said:

I can't support Deno until the project adds an explicit Code of Conduct and address the problems they seem to be having with diversity and inclusion.

Collapse
 
v6 profile image
πŸ¦„N BπŸ›‘ • Edited

Not to get too meta here, but is there, like, a Code of Conduct for Codes of Conduct?

Collapse
 
dak425 profile image
Donald Feury

What are these problems you speak of?

Collapse
 
wuz profile image
Conlin Durbin

There have been multiple attempts to add a Code of Conduct to the deno core repo.

This one, in particular, has some incredibly egregious anti-diversity rhetoric. The core maintainer (Ryan Dahl) has basically taken the approach that a CoC isn't needed outside of a link to what "being professional" means, where the README links to the Rust CoC. The general lack of enthusiasm for a CoC and the attitude that "unnecessary" files clutter the core repo (with a CoC being unnecessary) does not inspire confidence that they would be willing to enforce a CoC at any point.

Until there is a serious change in that policy and clear examples of them enforcing a CoC, I can't recommend the project in good faith.

Thread Thread
 
dak425 profile image
Donald Feury

My lack of experience with an open source project may be a handicap for me here but what does having a CoC have to do with a piece of software being good and a good fit for someone's project?

If a piece of software solves a problem well, what does any of this other stuff matter?

Thread Thread
 
wuz profile image
Conlin Durbin

This is common anti-diversity rhetoric and a common point of confusion for a lot of folks. Let me try to explain it.

There is a real, tangible question as to whether a piece of software can solve a problem well if the people who built it are a homogenous group. Diversity breeds innovation and lack of diversity leads to products that usually cause more harm than good.

Having a CoC protects people who are typically minoritized and abused by the majoritized group. Enforcing a CoC ensures that everyone can contribute to a piece of software, which in turn creates better software.

In the same way a linter is essential to keep up code quality standards, a CoC is essential for enforcing quality standards on human interactions.

Thread Thread
 
mosfetish profile image
mosfetish

This is goobledygook.

There are no "real, tangible" questions about the ability of software to solve problems aside from the software actually solving the problem. The software offered either provides a solution or it doesn't. Being an all-female software team, say, developing a framework like Deno has no bearing on whether it can be used by men.

What exactly would be the code paradigms used in such a framework, written by an homogeneous group like women, that would prevent men from fully implementing the framework?

Thread Thread
 
dak425 profile image
Donald Feury

I'm going to admit I'm not following the logic with that.

Now, if when you say "homogeneous" you're talking about the whole team having very similar thoughts and ideas, I could see the logic. However, unless you got very good evidence to validate the claim that the whole team has the same train of thought and values, this sounds like baseless assumptions.

If you mean "homogeneous" in the sense of arbitrary physical and personal traits (gender, romantic preferences, etc), I don't get what that would have to do with the team having a diverse spectrum of views and values.

I'm still not sure I understand the real significance of a CoC. Its not like its law, nothing holds ANYBODY to uphold it.

I don't really see what would be wrong with, I guess, a simple CoC that just says something like:

Treat each other like human beings

Thread Thread
 
mihaisavezi profile image
Mihai

Yes. Some common sense.

Thread Thread
 
mihaisavezi profile image
Mihai

It's a pity that we bring our own personal hurt and pain, and cover it in pretend help.