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A fist block is the strongest form of dissent in the Fist of Five system of testing for consent ? in the Consensus decision making process. It has various interpretations. A fist block is such a strong statement, it means "I would leave this community rather than see this proposal pass." Some say it should never be used because no proposal should ever be raised that would actually cause someone to fist block. One and two fingers should always be sufficient to express dissent.

Etymology of Fist Block

According to Wes Hermann, the first time the phrase "fist block", which sounds almost violent, appeared was when it was falsely quoted in this 2002 Stanford Daily article by Phoebe Prioleau on the largest co-op commune ? in recent memory (since surpassed):

Before this article, it was just called a block. At the time, we thought the phrase "fist block" this reporter made up was so funny, we would routinely raise our fists in a leftist salute and shout it at the slightest grievance.

It tickles me that it has now become the common parlance. Oh, language.

Good luck, and be glad EAs can't block anymore! (Check out the house journals).