Re: [Groff] address@hidden: Re: Back to the future]

[Eric S. Raymond]

"Robert Thorsby" <address@hidden>:
>      I, for one, am very glad that someone of Peter's calibre is being
> slowly shoehorned into the [leadership] role. I suspect that most people
> have been silent for fear of spooking the prey (that's enough mixed
> metaphors for one paragraph).

And part of what I'm trying to do is my job as a tribal elder, one
that is in no way specific to groff or anything I might want to do
with it - spot the hackers with leadership skills and vision who for
whatever reason lack confidence and offer the little extra boost to
help them grow into it.

Peter is as obvious and deserving a subject for that boost as I have
ever seen; he's developing a coherent vision, his thinking is careful
and sound, his design essays are well-written and persuasive.  Maybe
he could stand to be just a *little* less humble, but I'd rather see a
potential leader begin from a position of humility than from
arrogance.

> As far as I am concerned: Eric, if you have any ideas, bring them
> forward and argue them with whatever passion you feel they deserve.
> For my part, if I disagree with you I shall say so, and in terms
> commensurate with those you have used; unfortunately, if I agree
> with you I shall probably stay silent.

This is how it usually works.  I'm not easily offended, and anyway I
think the conversation has been very civilized and constructive. Thank
you for speaking up.

> Peter, you probably missed the quiet request for a leader to step
> forward. If you look around, you will see that we have all taken a
> step backwards -- and all of us (or, perhaps, all but one) are
> applauding.

Beautifully and truly said!

You and Peter are making me proud of the hacker tribe tonight.  I wish all my
political challenges were this pleasant.
-- 
                <a href="http://www.catb.org/~esr/";>Eric S. Raymond</a>