I think the story of Stallman's influence over the committee is interesting. The general template is, there's a bunch of people that discuss the ideas endlessl

I think the story of Stallman's influence over the committee is interesting. The general template is, there's a bunch of people that discuss the ideas endlessly, but leaving certain key issues, or perhaps the main issue, undecided. The strategic choice, if you care about the outcome, is to ensure you are present at the bitter end, when the committee is writing down its final recommendation, and then persuasively suggest the solution you favor. The non-strategic choice is to join in the endless debate at the other end of the process. You will tire out, possibly get angry, and lose your position as the neutral arbiter which you will need at the end.