We’re all familiar with the ongoing situation between WordPress and WP Engine. It’s not a topic I’ve wanted to write about, not because I’m undecided, quite the opposite, but because this issue has consumed me, and many others, for the past few weeks. As someone who practises mindfulness, I try to focus on things that occupy my thoughts so I can accept them and either live with them or let them go. Writing this is my way of maintaining balancing my own mindset.
I’ve been in this space for over two decades, and in that time, I’ve connected with many people across this community. I’ve come to know those on both sides of this issue; brilliant developers, designers, business owners, and thought leaders alike.
Before we go further, I’d like to set aside any personal differences or judgements towards individuals. This post is not about them. However, due to the size of this community and the nature of this issue, division is inevitable. And while I’m confident some good will come of it, the situation also brings out negative behaviour. People say harsh things, make poor decisions, and, unfortunately, conflicts arise. For me, this is about the difference between financial investment and community wealth investment.
This is what I believe is at the heart of all of this, so let me focus on that with the following:
The difference between financial investment and community wealth investment lies in their primary goals and outcomes. Financial investment seeks personal gain or profit. Investors aim to maximise returns, often through assets like stocks, real estate, or businesses. Decisions are based on market trends, risk analysis, and growth potential, focusing on individual or shareholder benefits, whether short- or long-term.
In contrast, community wealth investment focuses on building and sustaining wealth for a broader community. Its aim is to create social, economic, and environmental benefits that uplift everyone, especially marginalised groups. This type of investment often supports local businesses, cooperatives, social enterprises, and community development projects. It prioritises sustainability, equity, and long-term positive impacts rather than immediate financial returns for individuals. In essence, financial investment is profit-driven, while community wealth investment is centred on collective well-being, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
To be transparent, I don’t work for Automattic, though it’s not for lack of trying. If I did, I would still stand by the company and the WordPress project as a whole. By default, I support Matt Mullenweg.
That said, I don’t entirely agree with how things have been handled. But sometimes, you can’t make progress without discomfort, after all, you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. I’ll be the first to admit that mistakes have been made. Making tough decisions is challenging, and it’s when things get difficult that true leadership is tested.
There’s been a lot of drama, division, and fallout, but before we make any judgements, we should remember why we’re here, what’s been created, and what we all believe in for the future. It’s been disheartening to see relationships break down, but I believe respect and kindness should prevail. I hope that, in the end, as some good comes of this, we can all remain friends and continue to respect one another.
I welcome opinions and comments, but I’m not comfortable with personal attacks. Try not to focus solely on what’s in front of you; instead, step back and take a broader view of the bigger picture. And, most importantly, let’s be kind to one another.
Note; featured image created by AI DALL-E
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