> Open decision-making, in my experience, means contributors and significant stake-holders get to participate in decision making, not everybody and their uncle.

> Open decision-making, in my experience, means contributors and significant stake-holders get to participate in decision making, not everybody and their uncle. Everyone being able to participate isn't the same as everyone having identical influence. In my community, anyone and their uncle can chime in on discussions on our mailing list; and even to chime in on each and every single patch that's proposed. If what my uncle writes makes sense to people, he'll probably persuade people and have an influence. But if he's just expressing his personal preference, he won't gain much traction unless he becomes a regular contributor.