Alternatively, are there any structural power dynamics they are _reinforcing_ in making this criticism? I think of each existing structural power dynamic like a multiplier of the significance of the criticism. Reinforcement means multiply by 0.5, working against means 1.5.
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(These are not actual numbers, please don't make a calculator so you can compute what to do in a situation - just be aware that making a criticism against a power dynamic is in an of itself an indication of seriousness.)
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In addition to the structural, there are personal power dynamics, related to e.g. status within a community, or level within a company. Nobody forgets about these; they're obvious even for people who are completely oblivious to the structural ones.
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Replying to @sarahmei
An interesting variant of this one is "maintainer of OSS" vs "user of OSS". There's a strong power dynamic that gives the maintainer literal power over the user's day to day job. When users are angry it often reflects this kind of power dynamic.
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I don't know. The provisions in open source originate in a desire to empower the users to be less beholden to the suppliers is software. I don't think many OSS maintainers wield power over other people's day jobs.
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Replying to @jaredhanson @sarahmei
When a maintainer of an OSS project removes a feature, it forces people to either use an unmaintained (eventually vulnerable, bitrotted) piece of software or allocate time to upgrade. When an ecosystem is involved, that process can take a huge amount of time.
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Is this really evidence of a power imbalance? Is the maintainer in the wrong for doing this. Do they need to apologize or take corrective action?
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Replying to @jaredhanson @sarahmei
The maintainer isn't in the wrong, but they should interpret the anger as the result of a power imbalance. Too often the maintainer feels like they're the one on the bottom side of a power dynamic and that's what's wrong.
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The owner of my favorite burger joint retired, and I can't find a burger quite as good. Very upsetting. Is his choice to spend his time differently a power imbalance?
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Replying to @jaredhanson @sarahmei
You're assuming "power imbalance" means that someone is "to blame". I'm just using it to explain how to interpret angry people.
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And retiring from OSS is much different from what I'm talking about, which is making decisions about the direction of a popular project that affect people without asking them. Sometimes the decision wouldn't matter much either way and it ends up being careless.
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