ignite format: what science fiction can teach us about building communities

Post on 12-May-2015

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This is the shortened, 5 minute edition of the longer presentation found here: http://www.slideshare.net/geekygirldawn/what-science-fiction-can-teach-us-about-building-communities-edinburgh Communities are one of the defining attributes that shape every open source project, not unlike how Asimov'€™s 3 laws of robotics shape the behavior of robots and provide the checks and balances that help make sure that robots and community members continue to play nicely with others. When looking at open source communities from the outside, they may seem small and well-defined until you realize that they seem much larger and complex on the inside, and they may even have a mind of their own, not unlike the TARDIS from Doctor Who. We can even learn how we should not behave in our communities by learning more about the Rules of Acquisition and doing the opposite of what a good Ferengi would do. My favorite rules to avoid include, "Greed is eternal"€, â€"You can always buy back a lost reputation€" and "€œWhen in doubt, lie"€. This session focuses on tips told through science fiction.

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WHAT SCIENCE FICTION CAN TEACH US ABOUT

BUILDING COMMUNITIESDawn M. Foster

Community  Lead  at  Puppet  Labs@geekygirldawn

dawn@puppetlabs.com  

WHOAMI

• Geek, traveler, reader

• Past 12 years doing community & open source

• Read 73 books last year, mostly sci-fi / fantasy

• I keep a list:http://fastwonderblog.com/about/reading/

Photos by Josh Bancroft, Don Park

BIGGER ON THE INSIDE

Have to go inside and participate

to really understand the community

ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE

Not about the leaders,

it’s about everyone

who participates

DON’T GO TOO FAR

Understand and learn first

before participating

DON’T BE A REDSHIRT

Participate and contribute

in a noticeable way

Read John Scalzi’s ‘Redshirts’

SHARE USEFUL SKILLS

Learn and share new ideas

with the rest of the team

3 LAWS AND GUIDELINES

Guidelines / code of conduct

that change and evolve as needed

ANDROIDS AND EMPATHY

Don’t act like an android,

show empathy and

consider the impact of your actions

NO MONSTERS

Different isn’t bad,

disagree with ideas,

not the person

WHUFFIE

Reputation is currency,

do good and

recognize others

MANAGE GROWTH

Gradual growth

to keep with new contributions

and maintain your culture

OUTLAST THEM

Be patient and

allow others to participate

CONTROL ISSUES

Maintain balance

to keep things productive

while not being too controlling

PEOPLE EVERYWHERE

Travel and

meet interesting people

working on global projects

MENTORING

Train the next generation

and help others succeed

THE YOUNG CAN CONTRIBUTE

Age is often unknown,

encourage young people

to contribute

STRONG WOMEN

Encourage women in our field

and get more women

speaking at our events

DON’T PANIC

Things will go wrong

keep things in perspective

calmly recover

THANK YOUContact  info:  Dawn  Foster

@geekygirldawndawn@puppetlabs.comfastwonderblog.com

Some of my favorite modern sci-fi / fantasy authors:Hugh Howey

Lois McMaster BujoldBrandon Sanderson

Connie Willis

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