Open Source Is Not About You (2018)
Rich Hickey, creator of Clojure, delivers a sharp, no-holds-barred treatise on open source, asserting that users are entitled to precisely nothing beyond the license itself. This 2018 gist, resurfaced amid recent open-source dramas, ignited fresh debate on maintainer burden, user expectations, and the true nature of 'community' in software development. It serves as a potent reminder that open source is a gift, not a service contract.
The Lowdown
In his candid 2018 gist, "Open Source Is Not About You," Rich Hickey, the creator of the Clojure programming language, confronts what he perceives as a pervasive sense of entitlement among open-source users. He passionately argues that open source is fundamentally a licensing and delivery mechanism, not an implicit agreement for maintainers to become community managers or cater to every user demand.
- Hickey asserts that only project owners dictate how their open-source projects operate, and their scope of influence extends solely to their own work.
- He emphatically states that users are not entitled to contribute, demand features, receive attention, or expect their complaints to hold inherent value.
- Hickey pushes back against the "recently-invented mythology" of 'community-driven development,' viewing it as a cult-like imposition that stifles diversity in project management.
- He highlights the significant, uncompensated financial and time investment made by Cognitect (his company) into Clojure's development and community outreach, despite generating minimal profit from it.
- The Clojure development process is described as intentionally conservative, a choice Hickey defends for its stability and resistance to feature bloat and churn.
- He acknowledges the value of community contributions but points out the poor quality of many patches and bug reports, emphasizing the need for better triage and effort from contributors.
- Ultimately, Hickey calls for a re-examination of preconceptions about open source, warning against the morale erosion faced by creators and urging users to take responsibility for their own expectations and contributions.
The gist serves as a direct challenge to the notion that open-source creators owe anything beyond the explicit terms of their licenses, advocating for a clearer boundary between the gift of open source and the responsibilities of its maintainers.
The Gossip
Historical Hues & Current Context
Many commenters initially requested context, as the post is from 2018. It was revealed that the original gist was a reaction to demands for a more community-driven Clojure development process following a 2018 survey. Its recent resurgence on HN is tied to contemporary discussions around open-source maintainer burnout and specific projects like MinIO, highlighting the timeless nature of Hickey's core argument regarding user entitlement and maintainer autonomy.
Expectation Management & Tone Talk
A significant discussion centered on the tone of Hickey's post. While some acknowledged his frustration, others debated whether such an exasperated and defensive tone is effective. Suggestions were made for alternative approaches, such as explicitly outlining expectations in a `CONTRIBUTING.md` file, to proactively manage user assumptions without fostering resentment. The debate explored the balance between directness and diplomacy in open-source communication.
The AI Angle Abridged
One commenter briefly posited that such a stance 'wouldn't fly' in the 'age of AI,' sparking a small query into its meaning. While not deeply explored, this comment hints at potential shifts in open-source dynamics or expectations, perhaps suggesting that AI's impact might alter how 'entitlement' or 'community contribution' is perceived in future software ecosystems.