I believe, not wholly irrationally, that much of the discussion about how or whether to engage third parties in the free-software, free- culture movements is essentially religious.
For some people, the only approach that feels right is a Fundamentalist approach -- a potential convert must surrender everything, and must prove having surrendered everything, before we will even begin to work with the potential convert and teach what we believe is the right path.
For others -- think of them as Proselytizers -- the potential convert is engaged with, persuaded, argued with, and a little progress is given a little reward, while a lot of progress is given a lot of reward.
Me, I tend to side with the Proselytizers, although of course I respect the doctrinal purity of the Fundamentalists.
At the same time, I'm wary, because Fundamentalists tend to hate heretics more than they hate infidels. When they get angry, it's not just the infidels they're ready to string up.
Movements expand, I think, when they welcome potential converts at least as much as they test them. I suspect that anyone here who has a criticism of Kaltura would find that, if he or she directed their criticisms directly to Shay David at Kaltura rather than the Foundation for daring to think that Kaltura might be converted, he or she would find that Shay is actually quite interested in addressing (and fixing) whatever problems you address.
--Mike
On Jan 19, 2008 3:25 AM, Mike Godwin mgodwin@wikimedia.org wrote:
I believe, not wholly irrationally, that much of the discussion about how or whether to engage third parties in the free-software, free- culture movements is essentially religious.
For some people, the only approach that feels right is a Fundamentalist approach -- a potential convert must surrender everything, and must prove having surrendered everything, before we will even begin to work with the potential convert and teach what we believe is the right path.
For others -- think of them as Proselytizers -- the potential convert is engaged with, persuaded, argued with, and a little progress is given a little reward, while a lot of progress is given a lot of reward.
Me, I tend to side with the Proselytizers, although of course I respect the doctrinal purity of the Fundamentalists.
At the same time, I'm wary, because Fundamentalists tend to hate heretics more than they hate infidels. When they get angry, it's not just the infidels they're ready to string up.
Movements expand, I think, when they welcome potential converts at least as much as they test them. I suspect that anyone here who has a criticism of Kaltura would find that, if he or she directed their criticisms directly to Shay David at Kaltura rather than the Foundation for daring to think that Kaltura might be converted, he or she would find that Shay is actually quite interested in addressing (and fixing) whatever problems you address.
Notwithstanding the real life issues we are discussing, I have no choice but to admire teh casting of Erik as a modern day John Wesley, and us folks insisting on free and open source as stick in the mud Quietists, quite audacious. Bravo!
-- Jussi-Ville Heiskanen, ~ [[User:Cimon Avaro]]
On Jan 18, 2008 8:25 PM, Mike Godwin mgodwin@wikimedia.org wrote:
Movements expand, I think, when they welcome potential converts at least as much as they test them. I suspect that anyone here who has a criticism of Kaltura would find that, if he or she directed their criticisms directly to Shay David at Kaltura rather than the Foundation for daring to think that Kaltura might be converted, he or she would find that Shay is actually quite interested in addressing (and fixing) whatever problems you address.
It is worth serious consideration as to whether Kaltura represents a serious "potential convert", something that you are taking for granted. The current evidence (at least as much as I have seen) seems to indicate that kaltura is a "convert" to the open content/software movement only just enough to launch a publicity stunt. Wikipedia represents a significant promotional opportunity for them or any company, and I personally would lie a little bit to get my companies foot in the door there.
Companies are in the business of making money, and Kaltura is only working with us to the extent that it provides them financial benefit. We would be wise not to read altruism in the actions of for-profit companies.
--Andrew Whitworth
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