Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

> Like it or not, there are implicit social contracts if you maintain OSS software.

I think I agree, and its tricky because its really hard to pinpoint what the contract is (without sounding "entitled"), like there is with any social contract I guess. Maybe it even depends on the various cultures of the people working on the project.




that contract is precisely spelled in the license file, idk what you all are on about.


This is kind of like saying "its technically not illegal!", in the same way it's not illegal to open the door for someone and then shut it as they are about to walk through. We are talking about social contracts that are not written but are collectively understood to some degree.


The social contract is generally not written down anywhere. Here's what we're all on about: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_contract

I consent to let other people make demands of my OSS because I wish to make demands of their OSS because together we can build a better world than either of us could on our own - because I am consenting to be part of a community. I have security-sensitive Rust code on GitHub. I'm careful about unsafe, and I welcome people filing bugs, because I want the entire ecosystem to be good about unsafe, and so I need to do my part in that.


good thing the license file cover implicit guarantees then, because this is just bullies making up bullshit for justify their pressuring people into complying with their wishes.


The social contract is not enforced in the courts.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: