Tech Won't Save Us The Corruption of Open Source w/ tante
18 snips
Nov 7, 2024 
In this conversation, tante, a sociotechnologist and Luddite, dives into the recent turmoil in the open source community, notably the clash between WordPress and WP Engine. They scrutinize the evolving definition of open source AI, questioning its transparency regarding training data. tante exposes how commercialization is compromising foundational ideals, and highlights the need for democratic governance in tech. They raise alarms about corporate interests overtaking the original mission of open source, urging for a return to collective ownership and user empowerment.
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WordPress vs. WP Engine
- Matt Mullenweg, WordPress founder, demanded 8% of WP Engine's revenue, claiming insufficient contributions to WordPress.
- He used his influence at WordPress conferences to pressure WP Engine, labeling them a "cancer" to the ecosystem.
Shifting Justification
- Mullenweg's justification shifted from contribution complaints to licensing issues regarding the "WP" abbreviation.
- WordPress.org's policy on "WP" usage conveniently changed just before this dispute, seemingly to target WP Engine.
Access Restrictions
- Mullenweg blocked WP Engine customers from accessing WordPress.org updates, disrupting their security and functionality.
- He even required WordPress.org users to disavow WP Engine affiliation, impacting team operations and raising legal concerns.