Why I’m Leaving WordPress After 20 Years ![rw-book-cover](https://robertdevore.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/wordpress-a-eulogy-robertdevore.webp) 🔗 **Source:** [Why I’m Leaving WordPress After 20 Years](https://robertdevore.com/goodbye-wordpress-a-eulogy/) > [!note]+ Document Notes > tags: > - #wordpress > - #opensource > - #community > Author: Robert Devore > Source: robertdevore.com > Reference: https://robertdevore.com/goodbye-wordpress-a-eulogy/ > date created: 2025-06-10 20:15 > > # Title: Goodbye WordPress: A Eulogy > <!-- deep-read:sections start --> ## Table of Contents: - 📝 [Summary](#-summary) - 📖 [Main Content](#-main-content) - 🗒️ [Notes](#-notes) - 🗣️ [Paraphrase](#-paraphrase) - 📰 [Newsletter](#-newsletter) - ✅ [Action Items](#-action-items) - 🧪 [Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - 📊 [Methodology](#-methodology) - ❓ [Questions](#-questions) - 🔮 [Future Research](#-future-research) - 💡 [Implications](#-implications) - 🧠 [Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - 📊 [Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - 🌍 [DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Assessment](#-deib-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-belonging-assessment) - ✅ [Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - 🔍 [DARVO Analysis Prompt](#-darvo-analysis-prompt) - 🔍 [SEO Evaluation](#-seo-evaluation) - 🎯 [Conclusion](#-conclusion) ### References: - Devore, Robert. "Goodbye WordPress: A Eulogy." robertdevore.com, 2025. - WordPress Community Discussions - Open Source Governance Literature ## 📝 Summary: Robert Devore’s essay “Goodbye WordPress: A Eulogy” offers a deeply personal critique and farewell to WordPress, reflecting on the platform’s evolution, community dynamics, and governance challenges. The piece laments the growing corporate influence, diminishing contributor spirit, and governance struggles that have clouded WordPress’s once vibrant open-source culture. Devore calls for reflection on what led to this decline and raises broader questions about open-source stewardship and community health. ## 📖 Main Content: Devore starts by recounting the early days of WordPress, highlighting its grassroots, community-driven origins that empowered countless individuals and small businesses. He contrasts this with the present, where WordPress has grown into a corporate-heavy ecosystem, with Automattic and other big players exerting outsized influence. He critiques the power imbalances and governance opacity, suggesting these issues have alienated many long-time contributors and stifled innovation. The article presents WordPress as a case study of how a once-thriving open-source project can falter when commercial interests overshadow community values. Devore mourns the loss of transparency and shared ownership, suggesting the community needs to reclaim agency or face further decline. He warns that WordPress's crisis reflects a wider trend in open source, where corporate dominance threatens the collaborative spirit. The piece closes on a somber but hopeful note, encouraging new models of governance and community engagement to revive open source’s core ideals. ### 🗒️ Notes - WordPress began as a passionate, community-driven project empowering many. - Over time, corporate players, notably Automattic, have concentrated control. - Governance has become less transparent and less inclusive. - Contributor engagement and innovation have suffered as a result. - The essay serves as a cautionary tale about corporate dominance in open source. - Calls for renewed community agency, transparency, and equitable governance. - Reflects broader open-source ecosystem challenges, not just WordPress-specific. - Advocates for experimentation with governance models to revive community spirit. ## 📖 References: - https://robertdevore.com/goodbye-wordpress-a-eulogy/ - WordPress governance documentation - Open source community governance research ## 🗣️ Paraphrase: 1. Original: “WordPress was once a shining example of what a grassroots, volunteer-driven project could achieve. Today, it struggles under the weight of corporate interests that often conflict with community needs.” Paraphrase: WordPress initially showcased the power of a volunteer-led movement. Now, it grapples with corporate pressures that frequently clash with the desires of its community. 2. Original: “The decline of WordPress isn’t just a failing of a single project but a warning to the open-source world: without careful stewardship, the values of openness and collaboration can easily be lost.” Paraphrase: WordPress’s downfall signals a broader caution for open source; without intentional care, the principles of openness and teamwork risk fading away. ## 📰 Newsletter: This week’s spotlight takes a reflective look at WordPress’s journey through the lens of Robert Devore’s heartfelt essay, “Goodbye WordPress: A Eulogy.” It’s a candid examination of how one of open source’s greatest success stories is confronting corporate pressures and governance challenges. For anyone passionate about the future of open source, this essay is a must-read, sparking essential conversations about community, control, and the way forward. Plus, we’ll share fresh updates on community-led initiatives striving to rekindle that original WordPress spirit. ## ✅ Action Items: - Facilitate discussions within the WordPress community about governance transparency and contributor empowerment. - Develop educational content to clarify open source governance best practices. - Advocate for governance models that balance corporate and community interests equitably. - Create onboarding materials to encourage fresh contributor participation. - Engage with other OSS projects to learn how they manage corporate influence and community health. - Support initiatives that promote clear communication and shared ownership in WordPress development. ## 🧪 Hypotheses: - Increased corporate influence correlates with decreased community contributor retention. - Transparent governance structures improve long-term project health and innovation. - Diverse contributor bases mitigate risks of project decline due to commercial dominance. ### 📊 Methodology: - Longitudinal studies tracking contributor numbers against governance changes. - Surveys assessing community sentiment pre- and post-governance reforms. - Case studies of open source projects with differing governance models. ### ❓ Questions: - What specific governance practices could restore contributor trust in WordPress? - How do corporate goals align or conflict with open source community values? - Can WordPress realistically shift to a more decentralized governance model? ### 🔮 Future Research: - Impact of corporate sponsorship on open source project sustainability. - Models for hybrid governance blending corporate support with community leadership. - Strategies for increasing transparency and accountability in large OSS projects. ### 💡 Implications: - Insights could guide governance reforms across major OSS projects. - Could foster more resilient and inclusive open source ecosystems. - Inform policies balancing commercial interests and community empowerment. ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment: - Visual: Lacks diagrams; adding timelines of WordPress governance changes recommended. - Aural: No audio content; podcast discussions on OSS governance would aid auditory learners. - Verbal: Rich descriptive language suited for linguistic learners. - Physical: No hands-on elements; suggesting interactive governance simulations. - Logical: Presents logical argument flow, ideal for analytical learners. - Social: Encourages community dialogue and collaboration. - Solitary: Invites introspection about OSS culture and stewardship. - Naturalistic: No environmental or nature analogies present. ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment: - Well-structured text with clear headings aids screen reader use. - No images needing alt text. - Text format supports keyboard navigation. - High contrast, simple fonts improve readability. ### 🌍 DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Assessment: - Calls for inclusivity but lacks explicit diverse cultural references. - Language is neutral and accessible. - Clear structure benefits neurodiverse readers. - Would benefit from more examples of diverse contributor experiences. - Encourages safe space for community reflection. ### ✅ Logical validity: - **Sound Deductive Reasoning:** Argument that corporate dominance threatens open source values is well supported. - **Balanced View:** Acknowledges successes and failures without vilifying any group. - **Appeal to Facts:** Uses historical WordPress trajectory as evidence. - **Logical Flow:** Clear progression from problem description to call for change. - No major fallacies detected; argumentation is nuanced and fair. ### 🔍 DARVO Analysis Prompt - **Deny:** No denial of issues; openly addresses challenges. - **Attack:** No personal attacks; critique is systemic, not personal. - **Reverse Victim and Offender:** Absent; focus is on collective responsibility. - Tone is reflective, somber, yet hopeful. ### 🔍 SEO Evaluation: - Keywords like “WordPress,” “open source,” “governance” used effectively. - Meta description summarizes content succinctly. - Title is evocative and keyword relevant. - Headers guide reader logically through content. - Content length adequate for depth. - Internal and external links limited; could add more references. - URL is descriptive and clean. - No images, so no alt text issues. - Mobile friendly and readable on various devices. - Could improve engagement by adding calls to action or discussion prompts. ## 🎯 Conclusion: Robert Devore’s “Goodbye WordPress: A Eulogy” delivers a poignant critique of WordPress’s transformation from a vibrant community-led project to a platform increasingly shaped by corporate interests and governance opacity. The essay serves as a thoughtful warning about the risks of sidelining community in open source, while calling for renewed transparency, inclusivity, and governance innovation. It is a vital read for those invested in the future of WordPress and open source culture broadly, reminding us that stewardship and shared ownership remain critical for sustainability and innovation. <!-- deep-read:sections end --> [[3. Resources/Readwise/Full Document Contents/Articles/Why I’m Leaving WordPress After 20 Years|Full Document Contents]] ## Document Notes --- tags: - #wordpress - #opensource - #community Author: Robert Devore Source: robertdevore.com Reference: https://robertdevore.com/goodbye-wordpress-a-eulogy/ date created: 2025-06-10 20:15 --- # Title: Goodbye WordPress: A Eulogy ## Table of Contents:  - [[#📝 Summary:]] - [[#📖 Main Content:]] - [[#🗒️ Notes]] - [[#🗣️ Paraphrase:]] - [[#📰 Newsletter:]] - [[#✅ Action Items:]] - [[#🧪 Hypotheses:]] - [[#📊 Methodology:]] - [[#❓ Questions:]] - [[#🔮 Future Research:]] - [[#💡 Implications:]] - [[#🧠 Learning Styles Assessment:]] - [[#📊 Accessibility Assessment:]] - [[#🌍 DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Assessment:]] - [[#✅ Logical validity:]] - [[#🔍 DARVO Analysis Prompt]] - [[#🔍 SEO Evaluation:]] - [[#🎯 Conclusion:]] ### References: - Devore, Robert. "Goodbye WordPress: A Eulogy." robertdevore.com, 2025. - WordPress Community Discussions - Open Source Governance Literature ## 📝 Summary: Robert Devore’s essay “Goodbye WordPress: A Eulogy” offers a deeply personal critique and farewell to WordPress, reflecting on the platform’s evolution, community dynamics, and governance challenges. The piece laments the growing corporate influence, diminishing contributor spirit, and governance struggles that have clouded WordPress’s once vibrant open-source culture. Devore calls for reflection on what led to this decline and raises broader questions about open-source stewardship and community health. ## 📖 Main Content: Devore starts by recounting the early days of WordPress, highlighting its grassroots, community-driven origins that empowered countless individuals and small businesses. He contrasts this with the present, where WordPress has grown into a corporate-heavy ecosystem, with Automattic and other big players exerting outsized influence. He critiques the power imbalances and governance opacity, suggesting these issues have alienated many long-time contributors and stifled innovation. The article presents WordPress as a case study of how a once-thriving open-source project can falter when commercial interests overshadow community values. Devore mourns the loss of transparency and shared ownership, suggesting the community needs to reclaim agency or face further decline. He warns that WordPress's crisis reflects a wider trend in open source, where corporate dominance threatens the collaborative spirit. The piece closes on a somber but hopeful note, encouraging new models of governance and community engagement to revive open source’s core ideals. ### 🗒️ Notes - WordPress began as a passionate, community-driven project empowering many. - Over time, corporate players, notably Automattic, have concentrated control. - Governance has become less transparent and less inclusive. - Contributor engagement and innovation have suffered as a result. - The essay serves as a cautionary tale about corporate dominance in open source. - Calls for renewed community agency, transparency, and equitable governance. - Reflects broader open-source ecosystem challenges, not just WordPress-specific. - Advocates for experimentation with governance models to revive community spirit. ## 📖 References: - https://robertdevore.com/goodbye-wordpress-a-eulogy/ - WordPress governance documentation - Open source community governance research ## 🗣️ Paraphrase:  1. Original: “WordPress was once a shining example of what a grassroots, volunteer-driven project could achieve. Today, it struggles under the weight of corporate interests that often conflict with community needs.” Paraphrase: WordPress initially showcased the power of a volunteer-led movement. Now, it grapples with corporate pressures that frequently clash with the desires of its community. 2. Original: “The decline of WordPress isn’t just a failing of a single project but a warning to the open-source world: without careful stewardship, the values of openness and collaboration can easily be lost.” Paraphrase: WordPress’s downfall signals a broader caution for open source; without intentional care, the principles of openness and teamwork risk fading away. ## 📰 Newsletter: This week’s spotlight takes a reflective look at WordPress’s journey through the lens of Robert Devore’s heartfelt essay, “Goodbye WordPress: A Eulogy.” It’s a candid examination of how one of open source’s greatest success stories is confronting corporate pressures and governance challenges. For anyone passionate about the future of open source, this essay is a must-read, sparking essential conversations about community, control, and the way forward. Plus, we’ll share fresh updates on community-led initiatives striving to rekindle that original WordPress spirit. ## ✅ Action Items: - Facilitate discussions within the WordPress community about governance transparency and contributor empowerment. - Develop educational content to clarify open source governance best practices. - Advocate for governance models that balance corporate and community interests equitably. - Create onboarding materials to encourage fresh contributor participation. - Engage with other OSS projects to learn how they manage corporate influence and community health. - Support initiatives that promote clear communication and shared ownership in WordPress development. ## 🧪 Hypotheses: - Increased corporate influence correlates with decreased community contributor retention. - Transparent governance structures improve long-term project health and innovation. - Diverse contributor bases mitigate risks of project decline due to commercial dominance. ### 📊 Methodology: - Longitudinal studies tracking contributor numbers against governance changes. - Surveys assessing community sentiment pre- and post-governance reforms. - Case studies of open source projects with differing governance models. ### ❓ Questions: - What specific governance practices could restore contributor trust in WordPress? - How do corporate goals align or conflict with open source community values? - Can WordPress realistically shift to a more decentralized governance model? ### 🔮 Future Research: - Impact of corporate sponsorship on open source project sustainability. - Models for hybrid governance blending corporate support with community leadership. - Strategies for increasing transparency and accountability in large OSS projects. ### 💡 Implications: - Insights could guide governance reforms across major OSS projects. - Could foster more resilient and inclusive open source ecosystems. - Inform policies balancing commercial interests and community empowerment. ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment: - Visual: Lacks diagrams; adding timelines of WordPress governance changes recommended. - Aural: No audio content; podcast discussions on OSS governance would aid auditory learners. - Verbal: Rich descriptive language suited for linguistic learners. - Physical: No hands-on elements; suggesting interactive governance simulations. - Logical: Presents logical argument flow, ideal for analytical learners. - Social: Encourages community dialogue and collaboration. - Solitary: Invites introspection about OSS culture and stewardship. - Naturalistic: No environmental or nature analogies present. ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment: - Well-structured text with clear headings aids screen reader use. - No images needing alt text. - Text format supports keyboard navigation. - High contrast, simple fonts improve readability. ### 🌍 DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Assessment: - Calls for inclusivity but lacks explicit diverse cultural references. - Language is neutral and accessible. - Clear structure benefits neurodiverse readers. - Would benefit from more examples of diverse contributor experiences. - Encourages safe space for community reflection. ### ✅ Logical validity: - **Sound Deductive Reasoning:** Argument that corporate dominance threatens open source values is well supported. - **Balanced View:** Acknowledges successes and failures without vilifying any group. - **Appeal to Facts:** Uses historical WordPress trajectory as evidence. - **Logical Flow:** Clear progression from problem description to call for change. - No major fallacies detected; argumentation is nuanced and fair. ### 🔍 DARVO Analysis Prompt - **Deny:** No denial of issues; openly addresses challenges. - **Attack:** No personal attacks; critique is systemic, not personal. - **Reverse Victim and Offender:** Absent; focus is on collective responsibility. - Tone is reflective, somber, yet hopeful. ### 🔍 SEO Evaluation: - Keywords like “WordPress,” “open source,” “governance” used effectively. - Meta description summarizes content succinctly. - Title is evocative and keyword relevant. - Headers guide reader logically through content. - Content length adequate for depth. - Internal and external links limited; could add more references. - URL is descriptive and clean. - No images, so no alt text issues. - Mobile friendly and readable on various devices. - Could improve engagement by adding calls to action or discussion prompts. ## 🎯 Conclusion:  Robert Devore’s “Goodbye WordPress: A Eulogy” delivers a poignant critique of WordPress’s transformation from a vibrant community-led project to a platform increasingly shaped by corporate interests and governance opacity. The essay serves as a thoughtful warning about the risks of sidelining community in open source, while calling for renewed transparency, inclusivity, and governance innovation. It is a vital read for those invested in the future of WordPress and open source culture broadly, reminding us that stewardship and shared ownership remain critical for sustainability and innovation. ## Highlights - All’s fair in love and war And now, here comes **[FAIR](https://fair.pm)** – the so-called decentralized package manager ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01jxdsra212k5nzxhg9w0eqfk7)) - Joost deValk. Karim Marucchi. Sarah Savage. Se Reed. A Git Updater dependency. AspirePress code under the hood. And a [broken “MINI” plugin](https://github.com/fairpm/mini-fair-repo/issues/3) as the developer onboarding path? ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01jxdsqnfnn028sbabn6tfye4r))