archive: https://archive.is/mVF2L
I’m solidly in favor of the Benevolent Dictator For Life (BDFL) model of open source stewardship.
Now let me show you how that exact model can go sideways and disrupt massive swaths of the development community, without a whiff of irony.
Projects having a self-appointed “BDFL” has become kind of a red flag for me in general. I know the term is used somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but still I find it really offputting. Ruins the vibes.
Has happened just recently that I found an interesting project, was excited about it and even thought about becoming a contributor eventually… until I saw that its founder calls themselves “BDFL”, and then I just noped out.
Matt fires back: https://ma.tt/2024/10/on-dhh/
(I haven’t read any of these peices, to be honest. There’s so much else that’s crazy and only so many hours in the day)
First half is straight forward dick measurement contest. Let me paraphrase: “My companies has huuuuge revenue! Why haven’t yours? Maybe because you are so toxic? Have you thought about that, man with smaaaall revenue.”
Notice how it’s all revenue, not profit. I think this mindset gives an insight into why so many tech bros if they stumble onto profit, quickly grows out of profit. Profit isn’t the score, revenue is. And it’s all about hitting that high score so you can feel like a big man.
I’m getting the picture that governance is a great thing until you find out that other people want to govern you back.