Open source projects don’t exist separately from the outside world

For some people, contributing to an open source project is a diversion from the world around them. It’s a fun way to work on well-defined problems with a community of like-minded people. But it’s important to remember that open source contributors — and their projects — still exist in the real world.

Global projects are going to have interactions with laws that relate to global relations. For example, the Linux Foundation recently issued guidance on complying with the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions. Projects that host services have had to pay attention to Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). And everyone is trying to figure out what Europe’s Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) will mean for open source projects.

Laws aren’t the only effect of the outside world on projects. When the COVID-19 pandemic was in the most acute phase in the spring of 2020, I was filled with worry and uncertainty, as were many others. I worried about my family, but I also worried about the Fedora community. As a leader in the community, I felt a sense of responsibility to make sure everyone was doing well. When governments enact laws hostile to the identity of members of the community, I worry for them.

It’s tempting to think of open source as a noble pursuit that’s separate from the noise of daily life. But you do your community a disservice when you take that approach. If people in your community want to use contributing as an escape, let them. But be aware of how people are doing and create a space where they can feel comfortable stepping away to take care of themselves.

This post’s featured photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash.