Calling out grifters is not healthy... here's what to do instead

Originally written on X; also discuss on the Polkadot Forum

The past week I’ve been seeing increased discord along with the inability to disagree respectfully in the ecosystem.

As expressed yesterday in the Head Ambassador call, I don’t think the discourse around “grifters” is healthy for the culture of the ecosystem.

Why not?

Because it encourages a culture where people attack each other.

This escalates as people try to find more “grift.”

It encourages vigilante justice and point scoring, which leaves truth behind.

It enables people with power or audiences to bully people without, and this becomes a vicious cycle.

It encourages ego and single mindedness to take hold, rather than understanding and support.

It’s not reflective of a protocol that is bringing change to the world, where multiple perspectives and communication styles need to come together to achieve a robust decentralized system.

What’s the alternative?

Show leadership.

Move the ecosystem forward from your own “heroic” actions.

Don’t engage in grifter conversation - find a different way. Yes, we need to correct wrongdoing, but how we do it is just as important.

Compete on how much you can inspire others to contribute to Polkadot.

Help make better decisions and improve decision-making. Don’t just litigate the past.

Engage people you disagree with.

Forgive mistakes.

The world is not black and white, and we need a culture of respect, communication and understanding in order to attract and retain the best humans.