Before you respond to the question, think about
- your vision for the endproduct and
- the process you value most for getting “there” (whatever “there” ends up to be).
In my reflection on last week’s class, I realized why I was worked up in the ways that I was: the two groups that followed the After Dachau fishbowl changed the task. Such a change is a direct challenge to my authority as the teacher. I assigned the scope that I thought best suited the moment, and you all blew me off completely (not to mention the ideas/process I was attempting to facilitate)!
The thing about dynamics is that (duh!) they are always in motion, which means some “distance” (measured in terms of time) is necessary for reflection. The more I learn about group dynamics, the more you would think I could avoid every single expression of emotion or faux paux or otherwise fail to manipulate the outcome in the direction that I want. I sensed dissent/concern about the definition (“gist”) of the proposed coursewiki project, and wanted you to explore the differences further. It was not clear to me until several days after last class, that my frustration was NOT that there was a group of people advocating consistently for one particular idea. I was nearly beside myself that “you” (in the generic, nonspecific plural) had decided that your task for the moment was To Make A Decision.
Why the rush? Especially when the resistance/reluctance was so clear? Yes, we have a limited time to get things done, and . . . is there enough time to try and collaborate? I think so . . . but it depends on what each of you value. So, read carefully (!): I have no real problem with you dissing the structure I (tried to) establish for Class #6. If you had not pushed back, for instance, I would not have had to wonder why I was so obviously frustrated – and it is that intrapersonal wondering which led me to realize the tension was not about role as much as task.
In other words, you weren’t dissing me as “Steph” or as “teacher”; as a group you had just decided something else was more important to do. This kind of disagreement is common in groups! It will continue to happen in our group! What might change, though, is how we understand it while it is happening, and this – in turn (at least, in theory!) will enable us to make different (better?) choices for our own behaviors/contributions to the activity at hand.
As several of you noted in the homework* progress was made (yahoo!), and not only on the one main matter of exploring the sources of disagreement for a creative synthesis. The most significant development in the group’s discourse about the coursewiki project was that you actually began to discuss how to make decisions.
*Read What are you/we going to produce? Post a reply back, speculating what may have been different about your behavior if you had read this post before class (as suggested). If you did read this before Class #6, then explain and provide evidence for how this additional knowledge influenced your decision-making processes during class)
There’s more progress to go (of course, smile), but the last fishbowl (ostensibly on “evaluating process”) did (sortof) consider the consequences of a majority-minority vote prior to actually instigating a classwide vote. To date, any effort to achieve consensus has been dismissed out-of-hand (why are you so convinced it is impossible?!), but at least you did venture to propose a majority vote….although did not decide if you meant a simple majority or a plurality. Would everyone in the class agree to a vote that was a simply 51%? Should a higher bar be established? If so, what? The 14:7 breakdown is roughly 2/3rds of those present, but the very first comment after the vote was (something to the effect of), “but is that enough to assume we should go ahead?” In other words, is it fair – and if so, on what basis – for fully a third of the class to be disinvested? I’m just asking! 
What matters is the process of agreement itself – not only that decisions get made, but that everyone understands and accepts the way that decisions get made.
So, now, here you are. Your homework over spring break is going to involve you writing up a proposal for your part of the coursewiki (to be posted in your own weblog with a link from a post here) and reading the book: Look Me in the Eye. A foundational decision concerning the Coursewiki overall is whether you want everyone in class to follow the same protocol or whether diversity in this matter is acceptable (or even preferable!) Please post (“leave a reply”) your opinion here (login first!) and include some reaction to the hypothesis I’ve presented about the group getting caught up in a rush to decisionmaking….whether you agree or disagree with my assessment, what learning is important for us as a group to recognize and remember? If there is anything specific (individual) that you learned and want to express, please do so, too.
Yes, now (during lab).
Monday March 10, 2008 at 10:04 am
[...] the conclusion to this blogpost was written in consistency and consensus: mutually exclusive? [...]
Monday March 10, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I tend to agree with Steph on this issue that the group just thought that finally deciding on something was more important than the task she had assigned us. I feel like people in the class were just getting frustrated with the whole “process” and just wanted to figure out what the “content” was going to be so they could move forward. Taking a step back from it all though, I think that this may have a negative outcome if we move too quickly out of frustration, and not move on when we actually have a considerably larger consensus of what we should be doing. I can see where Steph was coming from with her aggravation last week, as I was quite aggravated too, but for a considerably different reason. I was aggravated that people were getting so fired up over something we still may have had some time to talk through and work out. But that seems out of the question now.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I was not here last class, thus I do not know what went down. But in regards to the class before, I could tell you were frustrated. I understand your frustration, but I think it can be unfair at times. I agree that we should not have to rush this process at all, but when we are sitting in class, trying to figure something out amongst ourselves it leaves us restless, and we tend to rush. Sometimes we rush just to see what you have to say about what we are saying. As stated, I was not present last class, but I hope we can work together better. I really don’t have much of a vision for the end product as of yet, nor do I feel clear enough to even think of an end product.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:07 pm
It’s interesting that durring last class, there was a clear focus on our lack of time and how we had to make this big of a decision quickly. It’s interesting to me that Steph suggests we didn’t in fact need to make those decisions, and that we didn’t even focus on what Steph suggested/asked of us. This happened because the group was nervous about deadlines (something that we automatically are cautious of, being students). I can understand why Steph wasn’t able to hold back her frustration when students got a little louder than our normal discussion. It’s hard to have specific expectations with a group so diverse, especially when it comes to serious decision making. It is most important to realize that we all have different frames than one another, so we must consider each students opinions with out anger. I’m glad this happened now beacuse, as Steph suggested, we might be more aware of these kinds of issues as soon as they begin instead of venting and getting frustratedwithout taking some time to think about our group dynamic. Steph shared with us her lesson learned: the group doesnt always go the way you want/expect it to go, especially when we are given such few boundaries and an unusual amount of freedom in the class. Sine only 2/3’s of the class polled agreed with the plan, I feel as if a way to take everyones opinions into consideration is by allowing some protocol, but more diversity when it comes to this Wiki page. We are all creative in our ways so it should be interesting to let each individual have al ittle creative freedom.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:07 pm
I can understand why Steph was a bit frustrated that the fishbowl for After Dachau did not exactly talk about what she had wanted them to. It might not have pushed us as farther along as we could have been, but it is important that we talk about what we think is important in order to get our ideas across. However, I do not think we were “blowing her off”, I think it was more that what was being said was accurate information other than what was asked.
I think in order for us to move forward, and make some serious progress we must come to a conclusion about the wiki site. I’m not being biased with my own thoughts, however I think that the majority of the class wants to move forward with the idea, it is probably the best decision.
I think it is definately time to make a decision, and get this started!
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I definitely agree with Steph’s opinion of how class and our decision making process regarding the class Wiki went last week. I think that waiting to find a decision that everyone is happy with may be difficult, but should be able to happen for the most part. We do not need to rush, and I think that it will be a better final product if we come up with more ideas and compromise with all of them to produce a final product that we can all be happy with. Making a decision that the “majority” of the class is happy with does not seem to be the best decision when it IS possible to devise a similar but improved idea. The problems our class is having regarding this assignment is definitely normal for group behavior, but isn’t the point of our class to learn about group dynamics and learn from the way groups typically work to try and improve our methods. I think the problems we are having making a final decision are important because it allows us to disagree to the point where we devise a plan that is suitable for our class and one that is geared to the opinions of the entire class.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Since I was not in class last week, I was sort of surprised by this post. I had also heard from some classmates that last class was a little hectic, and there were many disagreements. I agree with you Steph, whats the rush to come to a decision? Obviously the goal in our group is to finally come to a decision. So everyone has that goal in mind at least. However, because people are becoming impatient to come to a decision many people must be neglecting important “group-orientated” behavior that is key to making decisions. The entire first part of this semester we spent discussing what makes a group effective. These things include: Communication, content and process, task and maintanence, decision-making procedures, and awareness of emotional issues. I clearly remember in one of the early fishbowls we were asked which one of these things was more important. The fishbowl came to a conclusion that neither aspect was more important, it was infact the combining of all parts that made an effective group. Yes you can have a group that has great communication skills but has no decision-making skills, however you will never come to a decision. You can have a group who is extremely aware of task and maintanence, but has poor communication, and once again the group will not be AS affective as if all of these aspects were practiced.
Because our class had not come to a decision quickly, I feel that people got frusterated and tried to “take matters into their own hands.” People may have felt that, since the group couldn’t made a decision, then they would just make one and try to convince people to go along with their idea. I understand what its like when I feel very strongly about an issue and someone else completely disagrees. All you want to do is try to convince the other person to see your point of view. As a group, and as a class, where we are required to work together it is important that no one tries to impose their ideas onto the other group members. Every persons opinion needs to be valued, even if you don’t agree. I think that a decision will be made, our class just needs to take a step back and re-evaluate our process.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:09 pm
For the end product I would like our class to create a Umass Wiki page that is respectable and something that people will be able to tell that we put a lot of time and effort into. I agree with Steph that we have enough time to colloborate and create something great.
However, I also feel that we need to start making some real decisions and move forward. I do believe that the bar needs to be raised. I do not think it is fair to make a page that only 51% of the class agress on. I think at least 70% of the class should agree before we move on and start producing something. We can’t always please everyone but as a class we only so much time before the semester ends and I think we all want enough time to make something great.
I’ve learned that we are a diverse group with many people who want to be the head leaders. I’ve also learned in groups before though that to get things done the group needs to compromise.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I think that we as a group felt pressure to make a decision. Maybe, we feel like it’s the middle of the semester and we still don’t know what the Wiki project will consist of. Since many of us, or at least myself, are worried about where our grading is going to come from, and I’m guessing a big part is based on the project. I can see why some of us would feel pressure to get started. ON the other hand, if everyone is not happy or at least satisfied with the GIST then it doesn’t matter when we begin the process, it wont succeed, if the class is not into it. I’m not entirely clear about the ‘writing our own proposals’ idea. If people could write freely about what they want to do maybe it would help to get peoples true feelings and ideas out, maybe doing is on the wiki is “safer” then coming out in class and saying it?
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I believe that a unified acceptance of protocal is important to this project moving forward. We can sit around and talk in circles till the end of the semester; it is especially easy given how little we meet. If we try and create something where everyone does their own thing, then we’re not actually creating any one concept. There must be rules. If the group is rushing to get a decision made, it is probably a result of worry that our time left until the end of the semester might be inadequate to produce something we can be happy with. Steph mentions that the group seemed to decide decision making was more important than what she had planned. I like that this happened, as sometimes the tone of the class is so ambiguous, all I want is some determined direction! Lastly, I’ve never seen a large group completely satisfied on an individual basis all the time. People will have to sacrifice some things in the name of progress, and thus the idea that a majority opinion would move us forward is, in my assessment, necessary.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I think that this is the idea because of the majority vote. I also think that there should be a meeting with the people who didn’t want to do this website and they can disscuss what they would like to change/incorporate to make it bearable. I don’t think that this decision was that rushed. Although we only meet once a week, this is 3 full hours every Monday. It is about time we come to some type of agreement.
I think that there is something about UMass that people would like to contribute. We can break it up into the most interesting parts of the University/area. If people are still really bored with that, maybe they can help with more of the process. Lets get this going already. I say we come up with areas we would like to talk about.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I too was surprised at how much pressure there was in the class to achieve a decision, if not a consensus. I thought we were doing just fine debating the content of our Wiki. We have two plus months to get this up on web, which seems like plenty of time. With the plan we currently have, I would be surprised if it took 4 class sessions to get it completed. Also, as Steph noted, the process is what is important. Our Wiki is just a means to an end which is our education in Group Dynamics, as the class is titled. I hope to leave this class being able to effectively operate in a group. Steph seems to be implying if we rush through this we would only be cheating ourselves.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Every time I read one of these posts they make me think about an aspect of the previous class that I previously had not. After a class ends, especially for the week, I have a tendancy to turn my brain off in a sense, and not think about the dynamics of what took place. This class, however is starting to change that. The process of the seemingly forced vote was an interesting one, and definately worth a second thought. I think that many in the class feel that there is no way to reach a unanymous vote between all of us, so a simple majority people are ok with (Even though 1/3 of the class is not in agreement). This is something that we all really need to decide if we are ok with. Does this mean a third of us have no voice? Steph is right about us (students) trying to rush along a process that we dont even know much about, without leaving room for compramise or trying to work out disagreements or doubts. I think we need to reevaluate the vote we took, and maybe try to work with those who have questions about the idea, to reach a middle ground that satisfies us all. After all we are one large group with a collective goal.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I believe diversity should be acceptable and I also think it is preferable. Everyone has their own style and their own way of completing work and assignments. When I was younger my mom would always nag me about doing my homework. “Mom can I go to the Bruins game tonight?” “WHEN ARE YOU GONNA DO YOUR HOMEWORK?!?!” would be the immediate response because I never did my homework right after school and she knew that. I would always tell her, don’t worry mom, it will get done. It always did. Whether I got 4 hours of sleep, did it in the parking lot before school, or flat out did it right before class started, I always did get it done. 1 of the keys to surviving college is time management. Especially if you are someone who does extra curricular activities or sports. You have to be your own boss. None of us should have any more or less power than another student. If Steph decides to give us deadlines I think that is fine and fair, but none of us should tell anyone else when their work should be done by.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Although I was not in class last Monday, I have heard enough from students and Steph to take a stab at analyzing what happened. Be what it may, I feel that many of us are very confused and conflicted in what we’re doing in the class especially in regards to the wiki. We are so used to being in the frame where the teacher tells us exactly what were are doing, and what is to be excpected of us. This class is pretty much the polar opposite of every sense of structure that we have come to learn over our past 16 years of schooling. At least I know this is true for me. I think that we decided to disregard what you had outlined for us to do in a way to almost gain control of the class and what we are doing. I know that taking a poll and making a decision is something that is very clear cut, something we could really understand and then feel like we were “moving on” in regards to the wiki. I think that many of us have felt “stuck” in the same spot for the last few weeks in regards to where we were with the wiki. In making this decision we’ve gone back to something we know, something we are comfortable with, something that we know shows progress.
For the most part I think it is important that as a group, we remember that we have a task at hand to accomplish, and whether we like it or not, our grades depend on it. And to be quite frank, it is almost impossible to get everyone to agree to one idea, especially since we know that words are interpreted differently. We need to take the majority and roll with it, it seems to me that if we go with the idea that we have been talking about for weeks, people who didn’t necessarily agree with the idea will have a place to contribute something that is important to them and something that they care about and put themselves behind.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I think diversity is acceptable in this matter, however, we should do something that everyone agrees on and happy about. I agree with Steph’s assessment on the group rushing to the decision making process. We have been learning the decision making process model since the beginning of class and with the time limit, I can understand why the class as a whole is rushing into making the decision for the class wiki page, the end product. The process is slightly more important than the final product because the process is what we will learn the most. On the other hand, the end product is also important because this is what our class create together in which we compromise with each other and collaborate to produce the final product.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I think what happened at the end of the class was just out of frustration. I think a lot of people have the feeling that we are not really getting anything accomplished because so far we really dont have anything solid to look at and build upon. I think the last two fishbowls were tired of how things were going so they took it on themselves to do something other than what was asked of them. I do not know if this was more productive than if they just did what was asked, but the intensity showed people actually do care about this and they want it to get done. I really dont feel the fishbowl was trying to blow Steph off, but they were just trying to get something done. I think with the type of structure this class has some people feel like we have to get things done all on our own and maybe jump the gun a little too fast.
We did get stuff accomplished though, I liked how Steph pointed out 33% of the voters were either no’s or maybe’s. This was a point I wanted to bring up towards the end of the class, but was too amused by some of the other comments to really say anything. This is a big percent of our class and I think a lot of the maybes are coming from people still not sure of exactly what we are trying to do. I do think we need to talk more and get things clearer so we get even more students completely behind the project. I think at least now we know were the class stands so we can work on making things better.
I also like how Steph is going to have us outline what we want to do for the project. I think once we get this from everyone we can really figure out exactly what our page is going to be and how it will be set up. I also feel this will make it seem like we are actually getting things accomplished, once things get on paper they seem more real.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Firstly I would like to say that this music is making me want to type fast.
Secondly, and more importantly, I agree that we seem to be rushing into making a decision. I feel that this is at least partially due to the fact that we, as students, are so used to structure. Our entire education has been based on structure and instruction. Without it we are lost and unsure how to conduct, or really “lead”, ourselves. We, as a class, are so focused on making a decision on the Wiki so that we can set guidelines for ourselves in order to form our own structure. As this class is not based on formal instruction, we are searching for it in other places besides the professor (who would normally provide it). We are now either searching for it from our peers or trying to create it ourselves. I feel that it is important for us to realize as a group that we all share a common goal here. Nothing is right or wrong. We need to reflect more on our behaviors as a group in order to really recognize what is happening . It’s important for us to remember that we’re in this together.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Unfortunately I was not in class last week, and seemed to have miss quite a bit of valuable information, but I am doing my best to follow up with what I have missed and still digest and think about where the group is moving as a whole. From what I heard about last class things were frustrating, entertaining for some, and there was A LOT of disagreement going on. In one respect one could view this as the group staying in a standstill and not making any progress because a lack of decision is going on. However, after reading this post I think that the lack of decision that went on was actually a positive attribute to our group dynamic. It doesn’t surprise me that there was conflict over the rush in wanting to make a decision. I feel that this is a natural instinct for people to want to know what’s going on. Uncertainty often makes people very uncomfortable, and as when multiple people involved in a group are feeling uncomfortable the first reaction will be to solve the problem (in this case the problem is the feeling of uncomfortablilty) and to do this a decision about the class wiki must be made. Again, I wasn’t in class and was unable to participate in these activities so I cannot comment on how I acted or would have reacted in this situation. I agree with your assessment about the class being in a rush to make a decision. The learning that is important for us as a group to recognize and remember is that we are learning how to participate cooperatively in this group dynamics class. This means give and take, and the contemplation of fair and unfair. I do appreciate that the class has been taking time to consider what we will do for our wiki class project because I think the class does want diversity to be involved. I can speak for myself that the more diverse the project the more engaged I will be. I think a lot of my peers probably feel the same way! Or least I hope so
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I agree that we are getting caught up in the rush to decisionmaking. Like you mentioned Steph, we shouldn’t have to rush to complete our project. I feel that our final project should not be anonoymous. If you take pride in your work there should be no reason why you should have to make it anonoymous. We should learn how to respect each others decisions and ideas on how to complete our course Wiki project.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:24 pm
At first I would say that everyone in the class should follow the same protocol. My reasons for everyone to follow the same protocol are that 30 people working on one wiki is more efficient that 15 working on one wiki and 15 working on another wiki. It is much easier to accomplish tasks with more people..or is it? On second thought two problems come to my mind about everyone following the same protocol. The first is that if half the class is uninterested in the project then they will not be working very efficiently. The second thing is that Steph has never said that we all have to work together, so if people would be happier with diversity in the overall site, it works for me. I think that we have such freedom in this class that if some people have a vision in their mind of what they want to create (and might be too shy to speak up) then we should 1, check and see if it’s cool with Steph and 2, let people have diversity in creating the site. Personally I want to create the wikipage on “Surviving UMASS” because I have ideas that I think I could bring to the table, but that doesn’t mean that everyone thinks like I do. If someone is interested in something else, I think they should be able to create it, because at the beginning of class the course site said “imagine what YOU will DO with this vast open space”, not what “WE will DO.”
With regards to everyone getting caught up in decision making, I think that we as a group definitely did. I myself figured the quicker we decided the better. I think it has to do with the “framing” of “group” projects because usually the earlier you all come together the more time you have to create something better. This is one possible reason for everyone rushing to make a decision.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Our class has been in a fervor to decide what “exactly” we need to accomplish within a certain time frame. I agree it is necessary to observe time in order to complete the task at hand, but as a whole we need to make sure we don’t rush decisions.
I think we all felt a bit of Steph’s frustration after last class, we seemed to be doing a lot of backpeddling. That being said, I don’t think it was anyone’s intention to “blow her off,” but as it goes with groups of human beings, things never go as anticipated.
I am undecided as to the anonymity of the project. To remain anonymous might generate a more open flow of ideas, while not allowing those who want to be known come forward. I am open to many directions for this…
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:26 pm
I think students felt anxious with not having a clear and concrete plan for the coursewiki. As students, we’re used to rushed deadlines. In Western Education, we definitely are not accustomed to spending weeks on the gist of a class project. I think students simply felt overwhelmed with how long it was taking everyone to come to a decision, especially when 2/3rds of the class were under the impression that a plan was agreed on in the previous class. Of course, those backing the plan up were most aggressive, and in a sense probably felt betrayed by the rest of class: the group. I don’t think any of us were aware of not being rushed. As a group, I think we must remember the minority vote. In the beginning it may not seem like the minority vote matters but the minority’s impact on the endproduct can be drastic. We need to remember the importance of a “unified front”.
Monday March 10, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I think the class was just getting anxious at our seemingly lack of progress in terms of outcome instead of process. It’s interesting to note how quickly things can get frustrating when we become too stuck on the process aspect of it all.
We are new to this process so a lot of things, naturally, will be overlooked the first time around. Like for example the amount that would determine to do the survival guide. However, I disagree with the idea of group consensus, when the group is as large as our class is. It does depend on one’s values, but I think that most people will agree that this can be a very slow, frustrating and inefficiently manner of reaching a conclusion that may not necessarily end up with a ‘better’ choice being made. I believe in terms of what we are trying to accomplish, under the dead line we have, we took the right course of action although maybe some of the steps we took to get there may have been a little rough.
Monday March 24, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Though I wasn’t in this class. I feel I can/should respond (not only to catch up in course work, but also because I am a member of our fine group). Class six (?) was intense and people were emotionally charged (steph among them). I also had an emotional response to class. As a proponent of both the wiki concept and the voting process, I felt attacked by steph’s response to them both. She mentioned her frustration with the resistance/reluctance she saw as being “so clear” not being addressed. Personally, I saw this comment as a personal attack. I don’t think it’s that people were not acknowledging concerns, but that class was so chaotic that no one knew “how” to address them. The process, if you will, for addressing these concerns was extremely unclear (as were the concerns themselves). I also disagreed with steph’s assertion that the voting process was a direct challenge to her authority as the teacher. The students initiating the vote weren’t trying to “blow her off” (in fact I think they asked for permission – and viewed her silence as permissive) but rather the vote was intended to evaluate the climate surrounding the proposed wiki concept. I don’t think a simple majority vote was assumed to decide on the concept with certainty (at least that wasn’t my assumption) but rather to evaluate the level of resistance and to open a dialog in order to address concerns. At the time I felt that steph’s frustration was with her inability to “manipulate the outcome in the direction that [she] want[ed]” I was very concerned that, as a proponent of an idea she wasn’t fond of, she would take a personal dislike to me. Now that the metaphorical dust has settled I see that this was probably an irrational fear, I don’t think steph would dislike me just for my role in her frustration. I think the “rush” we are feeling is not actually to make a decision, but rather to get some clarity and order back in the class (my making a decision about the content and process of the wiki, we will again have formal structure in our class). I think that most groups crave structure (especially when there are stakes: grades). In groups where the structure is not obviously imposed, it makes sense that the members would seek out structure. Anyway, I’m glad we’re making progress and people seem less tense. I think we can still have a bright future as a group.
Sunday March 30, 2008 at 8:25 pm
[...] that? If we wanted to, what is the “feel” that we might seek to create? Ch0c0latemilk commented on the favorite songs track that playing during WikiLab #1, “The music is making me want to type fast.” Do we [...]
Saturday August 16, 2008 at 10:52 pm
[...] his next post, a comment to Steph’s Consistency and consensus: mutually exclusive?, Moses “takes a stab” at being honorable and honest. He openly admits that he did not come to class on that Monday, [...]
Sunday August 17, 2008 at 12:33 am
[...] his next post, a comment to Steph’s Consistency and consensus: mutually exclusive?, Moses “takes a stab” at being honorable and honest. He openly admits that he did not come to [...]