Further, she provided the straightforward, no none sense feedback that most people here advocate for, especially when the issues of someone like Linus’ gruffness and straight up meanness comes up. Here we have a story of someone doing just that, without the meanness, and everyone is dog piling on her.
The key point is that this is likely the first time these two individuals had communicated - she effectively introduced herself to this person by saying "you are wrong", or "your work is incorrect". This isn't a professional way in a business to talk to someone. Even a simple greeting and explanation to say "I have some experience in this area, and here's some suggestions that would improve it" is infinitely better than the framing she gives: > I was very disappointed at this 101 mistake > sadly opened an issue referencing the question The emotions portrayed there give a good indication to the tone that the writing likely gave - instead of being constructive it could easily be perceived as hostile.
Yes, I think the data scientist over reacted. But I don't think her tone or approach was at all appropriate either.
At some point, I have to wonder whether or not the people who are complaining about these easily debunked things are discussing the topic in good faith.
Seems to me she directly suggested the improvement, after explaining both the reason the existing version was bad and the reason the improvement was better (the two reasons being the same):
Quoting directly from the issue she raised, which was not merely quoted but emphasized as a pull-quote in the article: “‘Transgender’ is not a gender. Transgender people may be male, female, gender queer, non-binary... If you want to know if a survey respondent is transgender, you need to explicitly ask that question.”
She said what was wrong, but did not say what was right. Explicitly. To me, it's an example of "Guess what I'm thinking!" Or more famously, that UI designer who said "Don't make me think!"
Granted, a "data scientist" should already know how to survey, be open to constructive criticism.
I personally would have no idea how to ask the question. Though I'm not a data scientist, I can use google.
http://www.hrc.org/resources/collecting-transgender-inclusiv...
https://www.surveygizmo.com/survey-blog/how-to-write-survey-...
I don't have a horse in this race. I only chimed in because I'm regularly unintentionally offending people, and have been trying to adapt.
> If you want to know if a survey respondent is transgender, you need to explicitly ask that question.
How is this not saying what is right?
She explicitly stated both that including “transgender” as a gender identity option was wrong, and that the right way was to ask about transgender status as a seperate question.
Belated personal story. I know multiple transgendered persons (friends, family, at work). So I'm at least partially familiar with the issues. Many of my friends work on LBGTQ policy issues, to which I've given money. I've even marched in our local Gay Pride parade.
My bestie recently told me she's now dating a transman. I looked askance. I had never heard that term before. I wondered if she meant transvestite, transgender, transexual... She got upset. She thought I was judging.
Nope. I just didn't know what transman meant. Oh. She explained and everything was cool again.
Though this is not my cause, I am here to help. I'm an ally for equal rights, justice, responsibility, and so forth.
Just tell me what words you want me to use.
With examples, like this: http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/research/census-lgbt-d...
Wrapped with pleasantries, like this: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14704542
The only reason I now have any notion of an appropriate phrasing is because I was curious enough to seek examples. (Unlike the aggrieved data scientist?)
If nothing else, this mini-thread illustrates the challenges with communication, even when all parties have the best of intentions.
She said EXACTLY what to change. She was not rude about it. To try and nitpick that away leads me to believe you have an agenda to push.