Re: Re: [Micronet] Upgrades and Security Requirements

Greg Small writes (6/24/04 at 3:20 PM -0700) :
   (Concerning - Re: [MAGNet] Re: [Micronet] Upgrades and Security Requireme) :

>It seems so obvious that multi-platform planning and preparation are
>essential at Berkeley, that I was repeatedly stunned by the lack of
>it. It is harder and more time consuming, and hence tends to slide
>under time pressure and insufficient resources (hence almost always
>at Berkeley). We always pay for it in the end.
>
>Despite this gloomy analysis, there has been progress. It is hard
>for us to remember the cross-platform ignorance and strife that
>characterized the late 1980's and early 1990's. This discussion
>thread and others like it in the past have gradually expanded
>awareness and acceptance.

I've always felt that knowing about my own ignorance and limitations
is more important than knowing about my own strengths or expertise.
This is true for human beings, not just computer people :-). In a
diverse and complex environment like UCB, the patient and (mostly)
respectful dialog exemplified by this current discussion is essential
to the slow evolutionary progress that Greg describes.

Neither the pure numerical superiority of a "majority", nor ignorance
of potential harm or consequence would, by itself, confer the right
or reason to cause that harm to the "minority". (And, by itself,
budget constraint cannot be an excuse either.) But it is important
that we talk to each other, and most importantly, listen to each
other with an ear toward our own ignorances to make sure we minimize
the potential for that harm, while maximizing the diversity and
creativity that characterize Berkeley.

For this to continue work, those with the knowledge in a particular
area have to stand up and speak out, adding their minority expertise
to the mix, while those with the majority expertise, acknowledging
that their own knowledge is not all-inclusive, have to listen to that
minority.

Then, if after a careful cost-benefit analysis, if the realities of
an increasingly-resource-constrained environment require triage
decisions, then the harmed minority will at least feel included, and
possibly partially mitigated, when the majority incorporates their
previously-undiscussed expertise and suggested better-alternatives
into the mix. Everyone grows a bit when this happens, and the
necessary harm, while still hurting, doesn't hurt quite as much.

This is, of course, somewhat different than what happens in the
Animal Kingdom when there isn't enough food to eat. In that realm,
the animals can become unpredictable and exhibit new and unusual
modes of competitive behavior, sometimes leading to un-anticipated
destructive outcomes to the underlying layers, niches and
interdependencies within their environment. I'm glad that doesn't
happen here at UCB. That's why I continue to like to work here.

Rob

-- 
_______________________________________________
Robert C. Johnson
Budget & Finance Information Technology
University of California, Berkeley
    Direct: (510) 643-5577
    FAX:    (510) 643-2250
<mailto:robj@uclink.berkeley.edu>
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