Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft - Understanding Open Source Software Communities and Non-profits
Learn about sociological concepts from 19th century German sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies and their modern application to open source software communities in this keynote presentation from EclipseCon 2022. Explore how Tönnies' concepts of "Gemeinschaft und Gesellschaft" provide analytical tools for understanding the organization of open source projects and non-profit organizations. Discover a working model for developing successful open source software projects, building healthy communities, and managing growth barriers through non-profit structures. Examine the cultural challenges that arise when diverse groups of talented individuals come together and relationships evolve. Gain insights into how small groups share innovation outward, create on-ramps for community growth, and handle the complexities of scaling successful project communities.