Here there be landmines

[gurdymonkey]

Their Majesties have just posted the following questions to the kingdom list
"We encourage you to send your responses to Us or hand them to us in an envelope. That way you can give anonymous responses (they will be held in confidence). If you have a response you would like to share openly, that's fine too."

*What keeps you coming back to the SCA ?*

*What would you like your King to know about the things you do?*

*When have you felt most acknowledged in, and really part of, the West Kingdom.*

*What would you like an order of Western peers to know? This will be shared to the appropriate list of peers: West Royal, Knight, Laurel & Pelican."


Aren't questions 2 and 3 in conflict with the concept of anonymous response?

Is anonymous response the way to go? Shouldn't a member of our kingdom be able to own his/her words to the crown (or the populace should he decide to post the answers to the e-list as one gentleman just did)?

Must think on this further.

First bit of paint work should be dry by now, back to work!!!!

Comments

[syele.livejournal.com]

I think it is an interesting idea...that leaves alot of room for later incrimination.

[cryptocosm.livejournal.com]

As for 2 and 3 being incompatible with anonymity, it depends on the nature of what is said. Obviously, specifics about your personal involvement/experience make it difficult to be anonymous. Generalities about the activities or circumstances, however, would not inherently identify a particular person. E.g., a person could tell the Crown "Research into Oriental history is a valuable part of the SCA" without necessarily giving away their identity.

With regard to anonymity, the fact is that some people are too scared to speak out openly, especially if they're taking issue with what they perceive to be the dominant paradigm. For them, the cloak of anonymity is the only way to reach their thoughts at all. The down side is that anonymous negatives tend to lead to resentment and suspicion; if you're going to attack something, it would be better to do it openly.

I like that the King and Queen are at least trying to reach beyond the circle of people with whom they interact regularly. More than that will have to wait on results.

[hunrvogt.livejournal.com]

FWIW His Maj spole on this some yesterday at Investiture. Amoung other things mentioned. He has been speaking with some of the Executives at his work and getting some leadership training. I suspect the survey arrises from there.

I do think it is possible to make constructive comments that get to the point while retaing some annonymity. For really narrow fields of interest I will admit it gets tougher.

I truly don't believe His Maj intends this as a trap.

His Maj passed out paper copies at Investiture yesterday. I do think there were several folks answerring who would not otherwise have given voice with in the frame of Kingdom level politics.

[mamapduck.livejournal.com]

His Majesty also mentioned that he's asking people to focus on the positive and productive. This is not an opportunity to bitch about a person who you're upset with but rather an opportunity to talk about what might make things better. While there is anonymity offered so that people can speak freely, I think a lot of what he's looking for is probably stuff people are willing to say openly.

Number two is not meant to be shared with SCA West or the peerages lists. That one is straight forward- what do you want Uther to know, not "all royalty forever" just this one here and now who is attempting to educate himself on the pieces of the kingdom of which he is maybe a bit ignorant. Serious points in my book for admitting that there's big bunches of stuff you don't know but ought to and asking for information.

Anyone who doesn't want to contribute is free not to. I applaud offering the opportunity for those who do.