Jimmy (Jimbo) Wales wrote:
Marco Krohn wrote:
One last question though: did I get it right, that
during the board
meeting about wikispecies, only members of the board took part in
the discussion and nobody else?
Angela, Anthere and I are (along with many other people) on irc for
the bulk of each day. In the case in question, we just ran into each
other and started talking about it, because I felt (incorrectly, as it
turns out) that consensus had been reached and it was all only waiting
on us to do something. It was pretty informal.
I can't really think of anything more impossible than for Angela,
Anthere, and I to only speak to each other publicly. We currently get
quite a bit of work done by just chatting off and on throughout the
day, informally, like "What do you think of this?" and "I will ask
Anthere when she comes in" and "Did you send me that information yet?"
Also, good decision making involves being able to ask for opinions
freely and confidentally, without a concern that random thoughts will
be quoted all over the web as facts.
However, of course, we have had public meetings too, and will of
course have many more.
I can't speak for others, but from my point of view speaking privately
is fine, and having public meetings is not necessary either, but some
sort of public review and requests for comments is. Rather than doing
things, it'd be nice to say "we have discussed [blah], and are
considering doing it", and then give a week or so for comments before
_actually_ doing it. Or to solicit more feedback on less-decided
things, "we've been thinking about [blah], does anyone have any
opinions?" A formal meeting isn't necessary, but some of us would like
most decision-making to stay within the mailing lists and meta and talk
pages (with appropriate announcements so it doesn't get lost) rather
than move to discussions conducted amongst a committee.
-Mark