Why This Matters
A developer has published a public list naming prominent open-source maintainers whose politics they consider objectionable, including figures behind SerenityOS/Ladybird and nostr projects. It crystallizes an ongoing fight in FOSS over whether a maintainer's public politics should affect their standing in projects many people depend on, and it raises real concerns about harassment and reputational blacklisting even with a 'don't engage' disclaimer.
Key Takeaways
- The list targets influential FOSS leaders based on public political statements, citing sources for each entry.
- The author declined to publish a companion 'cool people' list, citing harassment risk and popularity-contest dynamics — an implicit acknowledgment of the format's power.
- It reflects a broader governance problem: open source has few norms for handling maintainers whose public conduct alienates contributors and users.
This is a list of weird little guys in the free software movement and adjacent spaces. Request additions, removals, or changes via email; patches welcome.
Don’t harass these people! Don’t engage with them at all.
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Artwork by @[email protected]
FAQ
What is the criteria for being on this list?
Weird, public politics, as judged by yours truly Leader in their community or otherwise powerful/influential Involved in free and open source software
But that guy does good work!
A lot of people on this list have done good work. A lot of people not on this list have done good work, too.
See also: Violet Blue’s “But he does good work.”
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