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Dear Stack Overflow (the company),

Please take note. This is what good will from your community looks like. This is what you've given up in your new pursuits. This is what this community is capable of when you treat it with dignity. This is what we looked like before you decided we weren't "welcoming." This is what you've destroyed.

Even though most of my encounters with Shog were trying to argue him into a different position, I never distrusted his motives or efforts, even if I thought he or his method of defending a position was wrong. Despite my disagreements, I respected that he was ultimately doing his best to create an environment that fostered a healthy community of capable individuals to make Stack Overflow the best resource for information it could be. I know he cares about this site and the people who use it.

Respect is earned, not entitled. Whatever Shog's mistakes and failings might have been, he earned our respect. We all have a great deal to learn from him, and that only makes his dismissal (regardless of whether he was fired for specific actions or simply laid off) even more poignant.

Sincerely,

A frustrated, unwelcomed user

To Shog:

Thank you, Shog, for everything you've done for this community! This is Stack Overflow's loss. I know it's hurtful to be suddenly removed from a position where you could help the community you care so much about, but I am certain that you will be better off going than staying in this environment.

Dear Stack Overflow (the company),

Please take note. This is what good will from your community looks like. This is what you've given up in your new pursuits. This is what this community is capable of when you treat it with dignity. This is what we looked like before you decided we weren't "welcoming." This is what you've destroyed.

Even though most of my encounters with Shog were trying to argue him into a different position, I never distrusted his motives or efforts, even if I thought he or his method of defending a position was wrong. Despite my disagreements, I respected that he was ultimately doing his best to create an environment that fostered a healthy community of capable individuals to make Stack Overflow the best resource for information it could be. I know he cares about this site and the people who use it.

Respect is earned, not entitled. Whatever Shog's mistakes and failings might have been, he earned our respect. You have a great deal to learn from him, and that only makes his dismissal (regardless of whether you fired him for specific actions or simply laid him off) even more poignant.

Sincerely,

A frustrated, unwelcomed user

To Shog:

Thank you, Shog, for everything you've done for this community! This is Stack Overflow's loss. I know it's hurtful to be suddenly removed from a position where you could help the community you care so much about, but I am certain that you will be better off going than staying in this environment.

Dear Stack Overflow (the company),

Please take note. This is what good will from your community looks like. This is what you've given up in your new pursuits. This is what this community is capable of when you treat it with dignity. This is what we looked like before you decided we weren't "welcoming." This is what you've destroyed.

Even though most of my encounters with Shog were trying to argue him into a different position, I never distrusted his motives or efforts, even if I thought he or his method of defending a position was wrong. Despite my disagreements, I respected that he was ultimately doing his best to create an environment that fostered a healthy community of capable individuals to make SO the best resource for information it could be. I know he cares about this site and the people who use it.

Respect is earned, not entitled. Whatever Shog's mistakes and failings might have been, he earned our respect. You have a great deal to learn from him, and that only makes his dismissal (regardless of whether you fired him for specific actions or simply laid him off) even more poignant.

Sincerely,

A frustrated, unwelcomed user

To Shog:

Thank you, Shog, for everything you've done for this community. This is SO's loss. I know it's hurtful to be suddenly removed from a position where you could help the community you care so much about, but I am certain that you will be better off going than staying in this environment.

Dear Stack Overflow (the company),

Please take note. This is what good will from your community looks like. This is what you've given up in your new pursuits. This is what this community is capable of when you treat it with dignity. This is what we looked like before you decided we weren't "welcoming." This is what you've destroyed.

Even though most of my encounters with Shog were trying to argue him into a different position, I never distrusted his motives or efforts, even if I thought he or his method of defending a position was wrong. Despite my disagreements, I respected that he was ultimately doing his best to create an environment that fostered a healthy community of capable individuals to make Stack Overflow the best resource for information it could be. I know he cares about this site and the people who use it.

Respect is earned, not entitled. Whatever Shog's mistakes and failings might have been, he earned our respect. We all have a great deal to learn from him, and that only makes his dismissal (regardless of whether he was fired for specific actions or simply laid off) even more poignant.

Sincerely,

A frustrated, unwelcomed user

To Shog:

Thank you, Shog, for everything you've done for this community! This is Stack Overflow's loss. I know it's hurtful to be suddenly removed from a position where you could help the community you care so much about, but I am certain that you will be better off going than staying in this environment.

Dear Stack Overflow (the company),

Please take note. This is what good will from your community looks like. This is what you've given up in your new pursuits. This is what this community is capable of when you respect it. This is what we looked like before you decided we weren't "welcoming." This is what you've destroyed.

Even though most of my encounters with Shog were trying to argue him into a different position, I never distrusted his motives or efforts, even if I thought he or his method of defending a position was wrong. Despite my disagreements, I respected that he was ultimately doing his best to create an environment that fostered a healthy community of capable individuals to make SO the best resource for information it could be. I know he cares about this site and the people who use it.

Respect is earned, not entitled. Whatever Shog's mistakes and failings might have been, he earned our respect. You have a great deal to learn from him, and that only makes his dismissal (regardless of whether you fired him for specific actions or simply laid him off) even more poignant.

Sincerely,

A frustrated, unwelcomed user

To Shog:

Thank you, Shog, for everything you've done for this community. This is SO's loss. I know it's hurtful to be suddenly removed from a position where you could help the community you care so much about, but I am certain that you will be better off going than staying in this environment.

Dear Stack Overflow (the company),

Please take note. This is what good will from your community looks like. This is what you've given up in your new pursuits. This is what this community is capable of when you treat it with dignity. This is what we looked like before you decided we weren't "welcoming." This is what you've destroyed.

Even though most of my encounters with Shog were trying to argue him into a different position, I never distrusted his motives or efforts, even if I thought he or his method of defending a position was wrong. Despite my disagreements, I respected that he was ultimately doing his best to create an environment that fostered a healthy community of capable individuals to make SO the best resource for information it could be. I know he cares about this site and the people who use it.

Respect is earned, not entitled. Whatever Shog's mistakes and failings might have been, he earned our respect. You have a great deal to learn from him, and that only makes his dismissal (regardless of whether you fired him for specific actions or simply laid him off) even more poignant.

Sincerely,

A frustrated, unwelcomed user

To Shog:

Thank you, Shog, for everything you've done for this community. This is SO's loss. I know it's hurtful to be suddenly removed from a position where you could help the community you care so much about, but I am certain that you will be better off going than staying in this environment.