[python-committers] Transfer of power

[Brett Cannon]

On Thu, 12 Jul 2018 at 11:02 Yury Selivanov <yselivanov.ml at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Thu, Jul 12, 2018 at 1:50 PM Brett Cannon <brett at python.org> wrote:
> [..]
> >> One way would be to re-elect them every 5 or so years.  Essentially,
> >> an N-virate is a dictator-like entity for a few years.
> >
> >
> > But that doesn't help deal with inconsistency since that just means we
> have consistency for 2 releases and then we start all over again. If you're
> suggesting someone forcibly rotates out every 5 years then that's different
> since that adds in some consistency thanks to the remaining two members.
>
> My worry is that not everybody can stick to to be with Python for a
> few decades like Guido.  Ideally, there should be a mechanism for both
> leaving the N-virate and being appointed to it.
>

I'm assuming that's what would be the next step if we decide this N-virate
approach is agreed to. Like when you talk about every 5 years, can people
stand back up and just consistently re-join, or is is 5 years and then you
have to rotate out?


>
> Another worry -- Guido knows mostly everything about all aspects of
> Python design in all fields.  To illustrate my point, I'm particularly
> worried about async/await, asyncio/trio/twisted ecosystem -- so far it
> seems that it's only Guido and I who've spent a huge chunk of their
> time maintaining (or caring about) it.  We have many other critical
> fields besides async: general language design, packaging, scientific
> ecosystem, web (partially overlaps with async), performance, etc.
> Essentially we need to build our N-virate to have knowledgable
> representatives (formally known as BDFL-delegates) from all of those
> fields, otherwise the language can stop evolving in some important
> directions.
>

Yes, Guido has a unique skill set. Having said that, one would also hope
that anyone chosen to do this would be up for learning a few new things. ;)
This is also why Guido delegated to folks on occasion and talked to experts
for opinions, something I expect people chosen to do this would


>
> IOW I don't see anyone (or some group of 3) who is as well-versed in
> everything on Guido's level.  That can be solved if Guido agrees to
> join the permanent N-virate though :)
>

No one has suggested we haven't been extremely lucky for the past 28 years.
:) I also don't think we will reach perfection in any solution anyway and
this is somewhat of a "least bad" situation.
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