Participation

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Participation

Steve Jones - SSC Editor

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November 4, 2008 at 12:10 am

#195440

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Participation

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majorbloodnock SSCrazy Eights Points: 9389 More actions · Answer 1

I think it's simply about responsibility. If you're part of a process, you have a responsibility to take an active part, and not speaking out is just as much an active decision as being vocal; if you act according to your conscience, you're discharging your responsibility.

Of course, remaining silent is less visible, so is often a path of least resistance, but it's still a ducking of responsibilities if it obscured something that needed to be known. And if your company doesn't want to hear constructive comment, you've no moral choice left other than to leave, since staying will require you to shirk your responsibilities.

IMHO, of course....

Semper in excretia, suus solum profundum variat

James Stover Hall of Fame Points: 3393 More actions · Answer 2

Well technically the individual vote doesn't count in the Presidential election. Not directly. It's the electoral vote that counts. The theory (and hope) is that the electors cast their votes based on the will of the people. It should be an interesting election in any event.

James Stover, McDBA

Bryant McClellan SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4397 More actions · Answer 3

Steve recently did an editorial regarding corporate blogs and why people would or would not participate. And many who had the opportunity would not accept it because of a fear of retribution. And not always an unreal fear.

So not speaking out may be the path of least resistance, but in those same cases, it may be also be the path of least danger.

And in regard to the Electoral College, as long as a country that seems to be driven by technology continues to scrap over chaff on PAPER ballots, the possibility of replacing the Electoral College with popular vote is just as remote as it was when the process was instituted in the US to begin with.

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Buy the ticket, take the ride. -- Hunter S. Thompson

majorbloodnock SSCrazy Eights Points: 9389 More actions · Answer 4

G Bryant McClellan (11/4/2008)
Steve recently did an editorial regarding corporate blogs and why people would or would not participate. And many who had the opportunity would not accept it because of a fear of retribution. And not always an unreal fear.
So not speaking out may be the path of least resistance, but in those same cases, it may be also be the path of least danger.

Agreed. Unfortunately, we're paid to do the jobs we do, so if you're choosing to keep quiet, are you taking money under false pretences? That's a rhetorical question, of course, since there's no one right or wrong answer, but it does underline the responsibility part of what I was trying to convey.

Semper in excretia, suus solum profundum variat

Bryant McClellan SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4397 More actions · Answer 5

Agreed. Unfortunately, we're paid to do the jobs we do, so if you're choosing to keep quiet, are you taking money under false pretences? That's a rhetorical question, of course, since there's no one right or wrong answer, but it does underline the responsibility part of what I was trying to convey.

Good point. And I never was one to keep my mouth shut. More than 1 CIO in this company has discovered that. I was just drawing a parallel (or attempting one) where I could see why people made certain decisions, whether I agreed with them or not.

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Buy the ticket, take the ride. -- Hunter S. Thompson

majorbloodnock SSCrazy Eights Points: 9389 More actions · Answer 6

G Bryant McClellan (11/4/2008)
Agreed. Unfortunately, we're paid to do the jobs we do, so if you're choosing to keep quiet, are you taking money under false pretences? That's a rhetorical question, of course, since there's no one right or wrong answer, but it does underline the responsibility part of what I was trying to convey.
Good point. And I never was one to keep my mouth shut.

Me neither. I open my mouth regularly, if only to change feet 😉

Semper in excretia, suus solum profundum variat

Shaun McGuile SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4141 More actions · Answer 7

There are people who post or have forum names which maintain their anonimity, are they acting under 'false' pretenses? 😀

Hiding under a desk from SSIS Implemenation Work :crazy:

jay-h SSCoach Points: 18816 More actions · Answer 8

majorbloodnock (11/4/2008)
Of course, remaining silent is less visible, so is often a path of least resistance, but it's still a ducking of responsibilities if it obscured something that needed to be known. And if your company doesn't want to hear constructive comment, you've no moral choice left other than to leave, since staying will require you to shirk your responsibilities.
IMHO, of course....

A single anonymous vote rarely if ever changes thing. If you really want to be part of the process, it is more important that you open your mouth. Make your case, attempt to reach people's thoughts. That's what changes things.

...

-- FORTRAN manual for Xerox Computers --

Mike Dougherty Ten Centuries Points: 1112 More actions · Answer 9

If participation is important at work, then it should be at least as important in school. I'm back to school with 20 year olds who seem to think education is a one-way flow of content from teacher to student. Considering traditional students are paying $30K a year, they should be getting more out of every class. If a $60/hr consultant asks you something, it's not cost effective to stare blankly waiting for them to answer their own question.

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 10

Shaun McGuile (11/4/2008)
There are people who post or have forum names which maintain their anonimity, are they acting under 'false' pretenses? 😀

Depends. If they're pretending to be someone they're not (eg if I created an account and specified 'SQL Server Dev Team' as the username), then I'd say yes.

But then none of us get paid to post on the forums, so the initial argument doesn't completely apply here.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

majorbloodnock SSCrazy Eights Points: 9389 More actions · Answer 11

Shaun McGuile (11/4/2008)
There are people who post or have forum names which maintain their anonimity, are they acting under 'false' pretenses? 😀

Well, I'm not a real Major, so guilty as charged, I suppose.... :blush:

Semper in excretia, suus solum profundum variat

Shaun McGuile SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4141 More actions · Answer 12

Ah but you have a pic and always sign your name Gail, if that is really you.

However you are going to be giving a talk at PASS this year...........so you really must be you. 😉

Hiding under a desk from SSIS Implemenation Work :crazy:

Miles Neale SSChampion Points: 13147 More actions · Answer 13

To remain silent is to condemn one's self to the status quo or silently consent to a bad idea. We as a nation are afraid of confrontation and would rather live in peace. But is peace bondage to the decisions of an ill-informed group? May, it never be.

Do not speak only when spoken to, speak when the need to speak presents itself and there is something to say. Do not just chatter away endlessly, but speak when it is right.

Listen, learn, think, rethink, and then Vote and/or speak!:)

Miles...

Not all gray hairs are Dinosaurs!

notquitexena SSCrazy Points: 2674 More actions · Answer 14

majorbloodnock (11/4/2008)
Shaun McGuile (11/4/2008)
There are people who post or have forum names which maintain their anonimity, are they acting under 'false' pretenses? 😀
Well, I'm not a real Major, so guilty as charged, I suppose.... :blush:

I always thought you had been promoted from your former position as Captain Blood Loss.