Manifesto Item 4

Item 4 of my manifesto feels extra important these days. I know that I don't talk about really big or controversial things on this page very often at all, and maybe I should? Or maybe I shouldn't? It's hard to say.

Truthfully, it takes me a long time to gather enough information to form an opinion that I feel comfortable standing behind and declaring, and often by the time I reach a conclusion, the discussion has moved well past the event. So it's hard to speak up about a lot of current events or topics. I don't want to speak in haste in case I've gathered a bunch of incorrect information.

However, I don't want anyone to ever believe that I'm not firmly committed to justice for all people, access to a life fully and dearly lived and loved, and the supports in place to optimize that reality for as many people as possible. I realize that these are very large and complex topics and to speak carelessly, blithely, or too quickly feels like a dishonoring of those principles I hold dear.

To that end, my business practices reflect, to the very best of my ability, the idea of worthiness as a human for no other reason than being human. When my pattern testers come and need to drop out of a test or are struggling or need an extension, I am always quick to reassure them that this is just yarn, that they need to take care of themselves or their family, and this should not feel stressful to them. I always want to make it clear that what they do for me is the LEAST important thing they do in their life. Everything in their day to day comes first. And if they have to drop the test, it's fine. I don't punish them. I don't kick them out of Discord. I don't ban them from ever testing again.
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Additionally, I incorporate testing practices that make it the MOST likely that they will finish and ENJOY the process. I have GENEROUS testing deadlines and am happy to grant extensions if needed. I have ZERO qualms with the kind of yarn used. I'm happy to let people play around a little if they think this or that mod would work better. It's all about honoring them as people first, and as helping out my business and my dream as a very distant second.