Re: [PATCH 00/40] Memory allocation profiling

Kent Overstreet
2023-05-03T16:03:32Z

On Wed, May 03, 2023 at 04:37:36PM +0100, Lorenzo Stoakes wrote:
> As an outside observer, I can assure you that absolutely came across as a
> personal attack, and the precise kind that puts people off from
> contributing. I should know as a hobbyist contributor myself.
>
> > If I was mistaken I do apologize, but lately I've run across quite a lot
> > of people offering review feedback to patches I post that turn out to
> > have 0 or 10 patches in the kernel, and - to be blunt - a pattern of
> > offering feedback in strong language with a presumption of experience
> > that takes a lot to respond to adequately on a technical basis.
> >
>
> I, who may very well not merit being considered a contributor of
> significant merit in your view, have had such 'drive-by' commentary on some
> of my patches by precisely this type of person, and at no time felt the
> need to question whether they were a true Scotsman or not. It's simply not
> productive.
>
> > I don't think a suggestion to spend a bit more time reading code instead
> > of speculating is out of order! We could all, put more effort into how
> > we offer review feedback.
>
> It's the means by which you say it that counts for everything. If you feel
> the technical comments might not be merited on a deeper level, perhaps ask
> a broader question, or even don't respond at all? There are other means
> available.
>
> It's remarkable the impact comments like the one you made can have on
> contributors, certainly those of us who are not maintainers and are
> naturally plagued with imposter syndrome, so I would ask you on a human
> level to try to be a little more considerate.
>
> By all means address technical issues as robustly as you feel appropriate,
> that is after all the purpose of code review, but just take a step back and
> perhaps find the 'cuddlier' side of yourself when not addressing technical
> things :)

Thanks for your reply, it's level headed and appreciated.

But I personally value directness, and I see quite a few people in this
thread going all out on the tone policing - but look, without the
directness the confusion (that Petr is not actually a new contributor)
never would've been cleared up.

Food for thought, perhaps?