So you'll always be simultaneously both in compliance with and in violation of the CoC, but once an observer enters the picture, your quantum state collapses into whichever state the observer determines to be "true".

Seems we're already there.

I didn't say it was perfect, but therein lies the problem: how people perceive something will always be different.

I know it was a rhetorical "you", but I wouldn't apologize in such a case. Assuming I didn't use profanity or threats of violence, I would hope those in-charge would ignore such a complaint. But then again, if they agree it was "harassment" I would be out of luck.
True enough. Maybe the term code-of-conduct has been tainted, but there are rules of some sort everywhere, even when they should be obvious to everyone.

The CoC doesn't allow for the use of judgement, because the whole point of it is to transfer power from those in charge to those taking offence. So yes, you'd be out of luck.
Exactly. "Code of Conduct" sounds nice, because as you say, it's obvious that people should behave in a civilized manner. But since that is so blindingly obvious, the best CoC would also be the most redundant.

We already have a powerful mechanism in place to make sure collaborative environments function as intended. It's called societal pressure, and it happens to work very well. For instance, if the LKML was suddenly filled with political agitation, slurs against minorities or other socially unacceptable and/or off-topic posts, people would just up and leave. Eventually, the project would be so starved of resources that it would either die or be forced to reform.

In fact, we see this mechanism at work right now. It seems most developers are not willing to accept politics being rammed down their throats. Other projects with CoCs are already dead or dying, but it's my hope that the Linux kernel is big enough and important enough that this time, the political activists will be forcibly ejected by the maintainers.

It would certainly seem that way. While I was trying to play devil's advocate, I cannot argue with that.
Let's hope that is the case.

In the CoC world, that is considered trolling. :)

From what I've read of Ehmke's public statements, it appears that part of the driving force is a belief that any criticism of an individual's work is also a criticism of the individual. That's why the Linux meritocracy gets painted as a bad thing (rejecting code is equated to rejecting the coder as a person), and any disagreement is taken as a personal attack. There are a few hypotheses floating about regarding the underlying cause, but whatever the reason (s)he does appear to be for real. If not then the world's trolls have found a new hero. :p

As for Linus, I think he's pretty good at making good decisions, and if he wants a break and/or to reevaluate how he treats others I'm all for it. Otoh If he was actually pushed out (temporarily or otherwise) then that's a serious problem, partly because it looks like a reward for Ehmke's behaviour.

To be fair, ever since the birth of the free software movement there has always been some measure of politics in Linux whether or not I find it personally disagreeable. But things like this and people like Coraline aren't known for compromise, unlike the differing schools of thought with regard to open source. This is pure militancy and doesn't inspire me with confidence for the future of kernel development.

quidsup
New Code of Conduct with Linux Kernel Development
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh0s_6_1C1A

i have previously replied jokingly to some other jokes.
i don't see it as a big problem, but i recognize that others do and have therefore removed my joking replies.
this does not mean that i changed my critical opinions one iota!!!
and nobody has prompted me to do this either.
i just think we need to have a very serious and concentrated discussion about all this, and not vainly push the other side's buttons.

the one key component that makes Ehmke's CoC such a horrible instrument of witch hunting, and where it differs from all other CoCs i've seen, is that it expressly includes "problematic content" made on other channels such as the project itself:

this gives solid footing to the sort of defaming of any problematic statement we are seeing currently, and must therefore go.
i can't imagine kroah-hartman or torvalds actually wanting this.

do we already have some sort of petition against this?
i'd like to sign.
maybe raise an issue on the kernel's git?
____________________________________________________

Apart from that I see that Ehmke is pushing her brainchild intensively, the video from the previous post shows a gofundme page that offers enforcement as a service ("SaaS") to projects, with disturbing vocabulary like "policing" etc.
i will not gratify that with a click. you can see enough in the video.

i also like the alternatives brought up in that video.

therefore i think the code of conduct should also NOT be "inspired by CC" at all, no connection to the CC at all.

I take this issue seriously, but will continue to joke about it.

LGBT = Linux Got Broken by Tranny

DISCLAIMER:
I'm not against anyone as far as their gender, race, colour, social-standing, nationality, OS preference, shoe size, weight, etc, goes. I discriminate on the grounds of personality alone. OK?

Here:

https://www.change.org/p/repeal-the-...ode-of-conduct

Don't know how effective it will be.

To be serious for a moment, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a more than average proportion of gay people in the free software movement, just as there is a more than average proportion of autistic people. Gay men in particular seem to be drawn to creative professions (fashion, the theatre and so on) and I think software development falls into this category.

Other kinds of diversity are less favoured, unfortunately. Ehmke is actually correct when she complains that most geeks are white and male, and I really would like to see more women around, but I don't know how we encourage them. Certainly not by imposing ridiculous CoC's!

We had a transgender/transexual (what's the difference - any?) member of LQ some years ago: GrapefruiTGirl. She was very helpful, knowledgeable, and (most importantly) - a Slackware user :) . The complete opposite, personality-wise, of Coraline. Why she left LQ I don't know.

Transgender is the preferred term now, because transsexual suggests some difference in sexual orientation. I believe very strongly in calling people what they prefer to be called. That isn't political correctness, it's common courtesy.

Thanks, Hazel, for clearing that up, and I agree.