I think the concept that our culture is ripe with authoritarianism is sound idea. It's funny, I can see it easy in politics and government but not in our organizations until now, so that was a surprise to me. But the way it's written comes off like someone with an axe to grind. The length was way over the top and it needs refining.
But the author is right, this is a pervasive problem in western culture that is the primary cause of most of our ill's when 90% of our society can't even conceive of supporting structural change in our institutions you know we have a problem.
From within “the industry,” I’m not seeing a problem. I start a project, I release under the open source license of my choice, I accept contributions on my terms … it is, after all, my project. Join my authoritarian project, or don’t. Start your own if you like.
So people willing to contribute under this authoritarian structure will join up. Are they supportive of authoritarian regimes in general? Not necessarily.
Any kind of project needing large numbers of people to coordinate is likely to be hierarchical, likely even authoritarian.
I think you proved my point. The kind of damage we are seeing in our society is directly related to the kinds of domination hierarchies we allow to continue.
Comments
I think the concept that our culture is ripe with authoritarianism is sound idea. It's funny, I can see it easy in politics and government but not in our organizations until now, so that was a surprise to me. But the way it's written comes off like someone with an axe to grind. The length was way over the top and it needs refining.
But the author is right, this is a pervasive problem in western culture that is the primary cause of most of our ill's when 90% of our society can't even conceive of supporting structural change in our institutions you know we have a problem.
From within “the industry,” I’m not seeing a problem. I start a project, I release under the open source license of my choice, I accept contributions on my terms … it is, after all, my project. Join my authoritarian project, or don’t. Start your own if you like.
So people willing to contribute under this authoritarian structure will join up. Are they supportive of authoritarian regimes in general? Not necessarily.
Any kind of project needing large numbers of people to coordinate is likely to be hierarchical, likely even authoritarian.
I think you proved my point. The kind of damage we are seeing in our society is directly related to the kinds of domination hierarchies we allow to continue.