[python-committers] Reminder of BDFL succession timeline + CFP

[Steven D'Aprano]

On Wed, Aug 01, 2018 at 05:29:00PM -0700, Mariatta Wijaya wrote:

> Please don't misunderstand my wanting to set up a deadlines and process as
> wanting to rush things.
> I'm open to extend the dates, and even wait another year if we need to.

Please no. Leaving things in limbo for a handful of months is one thing, 
a year or more is not. In a year, we will have completely lost all 
momentum on this. Deciding on a model for Python's future ought not to 
be an endurance competition, where the winner is the one who can wait 
the longest until everyone else has moved on.

Failing to choose a model to drive the future of Python in a reasonable 
time is a choice in itself. If folks want to actively propose a policy 
of (temporary or permanent) stability (a.k.a. stagnation) for the Python 
language, let them do so. I'm sure that would be popular to many people. 
It might even win a democratic vote. Dragging this process out for a 
year or more is, de facto, such a policy (regardless of whether it was 
intended as such) and such a policy ought to be decided openly, not 
accidentally or by stealth.


> Or do folks want to come up with a completely different process than what
> I've proposed?
> 
> In the end, I just want to know whether we will come to decision before
> 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, .. ?

Indeed. A hard deadline concentrates the mind. It doesn't need to be 
tomorrow, I think your choosen dates are a great balance, neither too 
quick nor too drawn out.

If Python is still rudderless by Christmas, I think we have failed.



-- 
Steve