[Themaintainers] The historical (and ethical) context of the Open Source movement

[Don Goodman-Wilson]

Howdy everyone!

As some of you may know, for the last year or so I've been undertaking a critical look at the Open Source software movement. For those at MIII's software track or recap, you'll be familiar with many of the issues that maintainers face—insufficient resources, feeling taken advantage of, burnout—and the infrastructural problems that come with unpaid labor under these conditions.

I've recently argued that there are larger, more fundamental problems with Open Source as an institution (https://don.goodman-wilson.com/posts/open-source-is-broken/ — warning, this essay really wants a lot of heavy-handed editing; more streamlined version that I presented at a recent conference should be online soon, and I can share that here when it's on YouTube).

One of the most common responses I've received is that I am attempting to "inject politics" into OSS, an inherently apolitical endeavour. I've responded by saying that my understanding is that OSS was, at least at the beginning, part of a larger movement that saw the emancipatory potential of technology, and believed that universal access to technology would liberate and empower all humans. OSS's goals of maximizing distribution was a tool used to achieve that aim, not the goal in and of itself.

I've started digging into this history, some of which I knew from living through it, and some of which is very new to me. I believe there is an important story to be told about the origins of Open Source that my peers and colleagues are largely unaware of, and that understanding this context can help unlock the answers to questions I'm asking about the path forward. I want to tell this story.

I could use your help! I'm looking for your opinions, your lived experience, and your insight. (This is also my first time undertaking an intellectual project of this scale (which isn't _huge_, but it's not small either) since my dissertation, so advice and support is also very welcome :D)

Don GOODMAN-WILSON
Maintainerati Board
mail: don at maintainerati.org
twitter: @DEGoodmanWilson
cal: calendly.com/degoodmanwilson/
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