[Noisebridge-discuss] Dogs

[Mitchel McAllister]

Thank you for this excellent example of the logical fallacy known as 
"false equivalency". Especially since it breaks down when one considers 
how many people have been "harassed" by dogs in the space - none.

You
 also completely disregarded my point regarding the presence of other 
allergens in the space which exceeds the quantity of dog allergens in 
the space. I'm going to give you the benefit of a doubt and assume that 
was inadvertent. I look forward to seeing you correct this lapse.

I
 am allergic to dust and pet dander. My sinuses are also irritated by 
certain chemical fumes. However, that is *my* problem, not 
Noisebridge's. It is *my* responsibility to take whatever measures I 
deem necessary to safeguard my health - as long as it doesn't impinge on
 other people's rights or personal space. I am not going to demand that 
Noisebridge implement twice-daily cleanings to take care of dust. I am 
not going to demand that dog-owning members and visitors, whether their 
dog is present or not, undergo decontamination of lingering pet dander, 
upon entering the space. I am not going to demand that RepRap, the 
soldering class, the foodhackers, the craft-hackers, and the folks using
 the laser-etcher go someplace else so I don't have to deal with the 
fumes.

No, instead, I look at it *rationally*. It is impossible 
to get away from dust. It is very difficult to get away from pet dander,
 since it stays on clothes, in hair, and even on skin. If there are 
fumes in the space from various hacks, either I open a window for 
ventilation, or I move to another part of the space. 

Yes, I, a 
person allergic to dog dander, am defending the presence of dogs in the 
space. I made the decision a long time ago to cope with it, because I 
enjoy the presence of dogs and other furry creatures.

I would 
also like to point out that nobody has the authority to enforce a 
decision on this matter, until a consensus has been reached - and that 
will take at least 4 weeks.

I have yet to see anyone who has a 
problem breathing around dogs actually weigh in on this subject. It's 
hard to gauge how many people are affected this way, if none of them 
actually speak up.

As far as individuals making people 
uncomfortable, I had a couple people deliberately make me uncomfortable 
by stating that I have no business being at Noisebridge, for no 
discernible reason. I went to several members and discussed this, and 
they told me to ignore those people.

- Reverend Mik

--- On Sun, 9/16/12, Will Sargent <will.sargent at gmail.com> wrote:

From: Will Sargent <will.sargent at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Noisebridge-discuss] Dogs
To: "Mitchel McAllister" <xonimmortal at yahoo.com>
Cc: noisebridge-discuss at lists.noisebridge.net
Date: Sunday, September 16, 2012, 1:23 PM

On Sat, Sep 15, 2012 at 8:09 PM, Mitchel McAllister <xonimmortal at yahoo.com> wrote:


A person suffering from asthma and allergies would have problems breathing in the space anyway, due to fumes, dust, and allergens from the mice.



You are correct, dogs do not hack; at least, not in any form we humans would recognize. However, that is not to say they don't contribute to the space. I personally feel more welcome in a space that allows dogs.



So what it comes down to is that you feel more comfortable having dogs in the space, and that's important than the physical discomfort of people who can't be at Noisebridge because of the dogs.  




So here's a thought experiment, since you compared dogs with humans earlier.  


Imagine that you had a person in the space who was harrassing or making people in the space uncomfortable.  Imagine that there were several people who said that they weren't coming to Noisebridge any more because they felt uncomfortable being in the space with that person, or just knowing that the person could arrive in the space at any moment.  




Now imagine that you had a conversation with the person (or people responsible / friends with that person) and they said that your discomfort was your problem, and that the person was great fun and good to have around.  And that you probably would feel uncomfortable at Noisebridge anyway, because you're such a sensitive person.


Exactly what part of this is okay to you?


Will. 
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