I think Jan took a reasonable approach here by noting a significant problem without pointing to specific details, although I understand why people might disagree. I think commenting that the original poster’s personal suitability to create/grow a new national-level group is a much more plausible basis for denial is appropriate here—given that the poster is implying that ethnic stereotypes (or worse) may have contributed to the grant denial.
At the same time, I think a more detailed narrative discussion about the original poster’s suitability—unless that feedback was specifically requested—would be more than is necessary to respond to the implied accusation, and would risk unduly derailing the comment thread away from the substantive issue the poster is seeking to raise. Rather, Jan told those who were interested in more information where to look (“EA Forum presence”) to evaluate this possibility for themselves. For what it’s worth, I agree with Jan that the original poster’s forum history would justify a grant denial.
I think Jan took a reasonable approach here by noting a significant problem without pointing to specific details, although I understand why people might disagree. I think commenting that the original poster’s personal suitability to create/grow a new national-level group is a much more plausible basis for denial is appropriate here—given that the poster is implying that ethnic stereotypes (or worse) may have contributed to the grant denial.
At the same time, I think a more detailed narrative discussion about the original poster’s suitability—unless that feedback was specifically requested—would be more than is necessary to respond to the implied accusation, and would risk unduly derailing the comment thread away from the substantive issue the poster is seeking to raise. Rather, Jan told those who were interested in more information where to look (“EA Forum presence”) to evaluate this possibility for themselves. For what it’s worth, I agree with Jan that the original poster’s forum history would justify a grant denial.