In a bold move, Joost de Valk, co-founder of the popular Yoast SEO plugin, is advocating for a significant overhaul in WordPress leadership. He believes it’s time to shift away from the current model, which places Matt Mullenweg at the helm as the sole decision-maker. Joost envisions a more democratic structure that reflects the diverse voices within the WordPress community. However, Mullenweg isn’t on board with this vision and has suggested that Joost pursue his ideas elsewhere.
A Catalyst for Change
Joost’s call for reform was sparked by a recent incident involving Mullenweg’s decision to pause WordPress services during the holiday season. This pause inadvertently caused issues with WordCamp registrations, prompting Joost to take action by filing a GitHub ticket to resolve the problem. This experience led Joost to realize that having one person in control of such a vital project could lead to complications that impact the broader community.
Critiquing Mullenweg’s leadership style, Joost described him as a “Benevolent Dictator For Life” (BDFL), asserting that his reign is no longer as benevolent as it once was. He referred to an interview where Mullenweg rejected the label of dictator, opting instead for the term “enlightened leader.” Joost was quick to challenge this characterization, suggesting that many in the WordPress community would disagree with Mullenweg’s self-description.
The Irony of Democracy
Interestingly, Joost pointed out a significant irony: while WordPress aims to democratize publishing, its own governance structure lacks true democracy. He argued that the current system stifles diverse opinions, stating that those with dissenting views often feel silenced or even banned from participating in the conversation.
He elaborated on this lack of diversity, emphasizing the need for varied voices and backgrounds to foster growth. Joost proposes a radical change to the WordPress trademark, suggesting it should be made more accessible. “We need to let companies freely identify as offering ‘WordPress hosting’ or ‘WordPress support’ to promote growth and innovation,” he explained.
Joost’s Vision for a Democratic WordPress
Joost has stepped forward, offering to spearhead the transition to a more inclusive governance model for WordPress. His vision includes creating a governing board that accurately represents all stakeholders in the WordPress ecosystem. He believes this approach would help ensure that all voices are heard and considered.
Among the reforms Joost suggests is a “federated” WordPress repository. This system would enable multiple directories to curate plugins and themes independently while still updating the official repositories. Joost plans to engage with fellow contributors in discussions about these changes in January 2025.
Mullenweg’s Response: A Dismissive Stance
In response to Joost’s proposals, Mullenweg offered a curt dismissal, masked in polite language. He suggested that if Joost wanted to implement his ideas, he would need to start a new community separate from WordPress. Mullenweg stated, “I think this is a great idea for you to lead and do under a name other than WordPress. There’s really no way to accomplish everything you want without starting with a fresh slate.” This suggests a clear divide between their visions for the future of WordPress.
The Underlying Tensions
Despite Mullenweg’s resistance, an internal movement for change appears to be gaining traction within the WordPress community. A recent open letter signed by various contributors and core committers voiced concerns over the current governance structure, which they feel threatens the sustainability and health of the project. They called for greater transparency and community involvement in major decisions.
This letter reflects a growing sentiment that change is necessary for the future of WordPress. Joost’s proposals represent a potential pathway to achieving this change while upholding the core values of the WordPress open-source project.
As the community grapples with these leadership challenges, it remains to be seen how this dialogue will evolve and what impact it may have on the future of WordPress. The conversation is just beginning, but the demand for reform is clear.
Calls for Change in WordPress Leadership: A Clash of Perspectives Between Joost de Valk and Matt Mullenweg
