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This is something I keep trying to point out to people. That doesn't mean that Linus is any kind of role model in this way - but people point to open-source int
by jzb 2y ago
This is something I keep trying to point out to people. That doesn't mean that Linus is any kind of role model in this way - but people point to open-source interactions as especially "toxic" while ignoring (or being ignorant of) the fact that things are often _far worse_ behind closed doors. The differences being that 1) they're behind closed doors and therefore rarely seen, and 2) calling out a rude interactions in open-source projects is unlikely to get you fired or on the wrong exec's shitlist.
- breck 2y ago> This is something I keep trying to point out to people. I agree with your comment and would love to read more if you've blogged more about this somewhere?
- watwut 2y ago> people point to open-source interactions as especially "toxic" while ignoring (or being ignorant of) the fact that things are often _far worse_ behind closed doors Can we admit that those close doors are super toxic places then? The claim is not supposed to be that open source is the most toxic place ever, just that it is toxic. That there are close source companies that are cesspits is a fact too - but that is an independent claim. There are also many close source workplaces where things are NOT toxic or are less toxic.
- tarsinge 2y agoYou are not wrong, but this is far from obvious for most people. Most companies have strong PR maintaining appearances for people without a lot of experience. So while this is an independent claim I think it’s still to remind that.
- eikenberry 2y agoPeople say open source is toxic because the base assumption is that it is not toxic, so it is surprising and worth mentioning when you see it that way. Where people don't say that about work environments because the base assumption is that they are toxic so it is not worth mentioning as you'd just be stating the obvious.
- RandomThoughts3 2y ago> Can we admit that those close doors are super toxic places then? Hmm, no? Openness to conflict rises considerably as the level of responsibility augments in a company. This is not toxic. What happens between closed doors is different than what is tolerated in the open. Plus my culture doesn’t see open conflicts as toxic to beginning with that’s an American thing. I myself think the constant fake American positivity is extremely toxic but that’s my own cultural bias.
- EarlKing 2y agoAversion to open conflict isn't an American thing. It's an imperialist thing. And it's really annoying.