Care and Feeding of Open Source Developers: A Framework for Successful Communication
summary
Adapts John Gottman’s relationship research into a concrete toolkit for open‑source projects: a Sound Relationship Framework built on a five‑to‑one positive:negative interaction ratio, the bid for communication with three responses (turn toward/away/against), and the Four Horsemen (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling). Gives actionable habits — soft startups, explicit gratitude, ask‑permission requests — and shows how toxic issue comments (example: issue 141) drive contributors away and how simple responses keep contributors engaged.
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chapters (9)
- 0:00Introduction and background
- 2:52The psychology of developers
- 7:24Valuing contributors
- 10:43Communication frameworks
- 14:10Foundations of collaboration
- 17:44Code as intimate art
- 21:07Bids and responses
- 24:20Effective influence
- 27:39Avoiding the Four Horsemen
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