The following is a compilation / edit of comments on http://dansramblings.wordpress.com/2008/03/11/stephen-downes-and-open-source/. This followed a session that Stephen Downes held with Alec Couros’ grad class that I was able to be part of. The session has been archived here for future reference. Two topics emerged: is there collaboration at the point of creation, and does hierarchy emerge within open environments?
Topic: Is there true collaboration at the point of creation?
People who claim to be founders of projects, even open source projects, need to viewed with a critical lens. I believe that greatness often comes from at least a dynamic duo. A second person often causes each partner to reflect more critically over their own work Apple had the Steves, Jobs and Woz. Microsoft had Gates and Allen. Sonny had Cher. You assert that a person who begins an open source project is by default at a ‘higher place on the totem pole’. This may be self projected importance. The world is littered with folks who claim to be the sole person in charge and source of the brilliance. Did you know that Jimmy Wales of Wikipedia founding fame, was actually a co-founder?[1] Actually, Jimmy edited his own wikipedia entry to indicate that he was the founder (removing the letters “c” & “o”) [2]. The collaboration may not always begin with a team of people, but there are examples of a dynamic duo achieving remarkable success. Let’s not get distracted by what people tell others about their own self importance.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Wales
[2] http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2005/12/69880
This was followed by:
Topic: Does a hierarchy emerge in collaborations such as open source projects?
The issue that I take with your post is specifically focused on the claim that individuals create in isolation. This example of social creation begins to hint at your premise that hierarchy emerges which I will revisit later. The questions that your singular creator concept begs are:
1) What is the moment of creation?
2) Is it when an idea is hatched, or an object is created, or when the world learns about it?
Two people may take joint claim to a project if they work in parallel but with different roles contributing to the advancement of the idea. There were many initial computers being developed in the time frame of Jobs & Woz but Apple has the longevity. Could the interplay of two individuals with divergent talents have contributed to their success?
I agree with your premise that hierarchy emerges. Even within the previously cited partnerships (Jimmy Wales & Larry Sanger, Jobs and Woz, Gates and Allen, & let’s not forget Sonny & Cher) one person emerged as the figure head over time. The hierarchy does emerge within these partnerships. Our understanding of the initial partnership must not be clouded by our understanding of current dominance within the partnership (intellectual, creative, financial, or social dominance).
Open source communities also show a hierarchy over time. The “founder” (who may have survived the initial fight for dominance) does become the leader. This leadership may be embodied within the acts of the founder to facilitate the community’s work on the project. Dries from Drupal fame still organizes the large Drupal development community. [1] He also retains significant social capital as evidenced at his delivery of the ‘State of Drupal’ speaches. [2] This not only shows evidence of social capital but of a person who perceives his own dominance as well. The delivering a ‘State of Drupal’ speech indicated you believe yourself to be the leader as well. Dries is the leader within the Drupal community, and uses his social position to facilitate others and also proclaim information from the drupal point of view.
The one issue that Stephen neglected is hinted at within your hierarchy. Is learning social? Can we truly only have intellectual discussions without a social component? When multiple people come together the social dynamic emerges (even when people come together online).
[1] http://drupal.org/node/217702
[2] http://buytaert.net/state-of-drupal-presentation-september-2007
12/03/2008 at 2:51 pm Permalink
I really like your new blog. This conversation is one that we all need to be having. Thank you for recording it for us.