Notes by Axbom
Per Axbom Twitter

I know this is coming from a privileged position, but my experience on Twitter is better than my experience on Facebook. This is not a stance, merely a sharing of my own reflection. I’m well aware of the vitriol on Twitter and do not support its leadership.

But where Facebook creates relationship tension with closer ties, Twitter gives me access to people and events, the ability to open myself up to feedback and also the ability to block naturally.

With closer bonds I use neither medium.

Likely we all do this differently. I have myself never been subject of the harassment and threats that I see others endure, hence the ”privileged position”.

I do, however, feel a need for a different type of public forum because of the negative impact on marginalized people that both theses platforms magnify. I have yet to see one that clearly addresses these issues.

Well that was what I was thinking about this grey November morning in my tiny bubble in Stockholm, Sweden.

I think I miss blogging.

🔗 Originally posted on Twitter

Per Axbom reply Twitter

↪ Replying to @hareemmannan

@HareemMannan @amcasari @dqpdang @anildash @nickf This made me think of 25 years ago when I tipped off the news anonymously about hazing at my boarding school. The situation hit the news, 3 students were expelled, but leadership stayed put (although of course they knew what was going on). 🙁

@HareemMannan @amcasari @dqpdang @anildash @nickf Hazing is a bad word (what some call initiation ceremonies or bastardisation). It’s really systemic harassment and abuse.

🔗 Originally posted on Twitter

Per Axbom reply Twitter

↪ Replying to @dqpdang

@dqpdang @anildash @HareemMannan @amcasari @nickf I believe @amcasari outlined a good approach here, stressing the importance of not doing it alone. I encourage teams to have discussions around ”What in our organization is preventing us from making ethical choices?” which doesn’t have to be confrontational.

@dqpdang @anildash @HareemMannan @amcasari @nickf Then I agree that impact assessments (a form of risk analysis) should be a regular activity in development work. And finally, to feel empowered to speak up, engage in pre-scripting (as advocated by Mary Gentile in Giving Voice to Values):

@dqpdang @anildash @HareemMannan @amcasari @nickf This involves practicing speaking up before the confrontation happens. Something that is certainly easier when you have your allies and your team on the same page (hopefully achieved during impact assessment).

@dqpdang @anildash @HareemMannan @amcasari @nickf Of course, much of this is hard without real self-awareness; who am I, what do I want to stand for and do my actions align with my values. It also doesn’t solve when we don’t see the harm coming although...

@dqpdang @anildash @HareemMannan @amcasari @nickf ...I’m certain we can do a better job of anticipating that harm will happen, maybe just not what.

@dqpdang @anildash @HareemMannan @amcasari @nickf Reading Anil’s original question, ”that you thought MIGHT cause harm”, the first step would certainly be the impact assessment - to help understand how others think around the same issue.

🔗 Originally posted on Twitter