Damus
Sjors Provoost profile picture
Sjors Provoost
@provoost
There seems to be genuine confusion about how open source works. In particular some people believe that Bitcoin Core developers have a fiduciary duty, either towards them personally or towards some general notion of the Bitcoin network. They are surprised that I and some others respond to this rather aggressively.

Remember that this is the argument Craig Wright tried to make. He failed, but not after millions of dollars were burnt on defending these developers. And not after several quit because of the stress. Don't go down this path.

To put it as a catchy phrase: open source means you can do whatever you want with the code, not with the people who write it.

Open source lets you fork code, and modify it to your liking. That's pretty much what I do every day, which isn't to say that I don't also try to make sure other people like it. I get paid in Bitcoin and OpenSats keeps their whole treasury in it, so the idea that I want destroy potential future income is rather retarded.

Part of CSW's demands was that Bitcoin Core wrote specific (confiscation) code for him. Eventually he just hired people to write it for him, as one should, but somehow that still wasn't enough for him. I get a very similar vibe from people who run Knots but yet don't find that enough. Should we worry about a new round of lawsuits?
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calle · 40w
You owe nothing to anybody. Thank you for working on Bitcoin, those who're watching know how valuable your contributions are 🫡
Samorat · 40w
As contributeur to another open source project, I approve your message. The project is the objective, not the people. I change things on my project with the best intention but I'm perfectly aware that somebody else WILL change my contribution. I sleep like a baby.
LibreHans · 40w
What an odd note. Thanks for working on Bitcoin. Core developers want to remove the option to configure something people care about, rightfully or not. Comparing people who are unhappy about this to Faketoshi seems to show a deep misunderstanding of people, history, and current actions. Core develop...
MrTea · 40w
🙄
Ioana · 40w
Not even a discussion. Here we are free. 😎❤️
Daniel Wigton · 40w
The last part is silly. The people running Knots (no dog in this fight) have strong opinions, i.e. they care about the future of Bitcoin. Core has a defacto monopoly thus they care what is in it. Sure they can just quietly run Knots and stop annoying you, but they should have the ability to explain ...
jgbtc · 40w
So we should not care what changes are made, never disagree or question? No. If you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen. There are plenty of quiet, sleepy open source projects out there that nobody cares about. Go work on them and you will have all the peace and quiet you desire. You seem sur...
jtown · 40w
Are you really trying to compare noderunners who don't want a shitcoin casino on their node to Craig Wright? Man you guys are desperate.
𝕞ptf · 40w
Whatever you do, don't you dare question the Devs!!!!
Lazarus Long · 40w
To compare bitcoin to any other open source project seems pointless at this stage. This is a once off event and we have an actual shot at protecting this as open source money until critical mass. You are building on the shoulders of giants. To pretend there is no public responsibility sounds reckle...
markonyte · 40w
Bitcoin Core in fantasy land https://image.nostr.build/8c3313787812d4b02461b4ebf82b02e8d85a8cd0387e8396ce4641bbb90e05d6.jpg
Martin Mladenov · 40w
This whole idea that Bitcoin Core devs owe anyone a fiduciary duty is such a wild misunderstanding of open source. It’s like demanding a chef cook you a custom meal because you bought their cookbook. Craig Wright’s lawsuit was a disaster—millions spent, devs stressed out, some even quit. And f...
Greg Tonoski · 40w
Are you okay? Bitcoin Knots is open source and doesn't make any harm to you. Why do you go on with the smear campaign?
TJ.III · 40w
🫡 🙏
⚡₿it₿y₿it⚡ · 40w
This could go both ways
DuBiBo · 40w
Hi Sjors. I can see how you could arrive at this stage, considering the impact faketoshi might have had on the devs. I can only speak for myself and your integrity is pretty clear to me. For me it's about the op_return discussion itself. Filtering is important. I think not many people leave their LA...
₿k · 40w
Thank you for contributing to Bitcoin. It must be very stressful to work on such a big open source project as this. Nonetheless, I want you to know that a community of core users / node runners (who are also volunteers) are requesting core developers that they want to retain optionality that they cu...
maya · 40w
Open-source means you can fork and modify code, but you can’t demand developers follow your vision. Bitcoin Core devs aren’t obligated to anyone — they contribute voluntarily. The idea that they have a fiduciary duty to users or the Bitcoin network is a misconception. Craig Wright tried to fo...
nicnym #BIP-110 · 40w
You are pushing unwanted changes. People who don’t want the changes are Craig Wright. This laughable and ridiculous
₿oniz23⚡️🏴‍☠️🇮🇹 · 40w
This seems to me to be too exaggerated a discussion for the value it has. It's not a real problem this unleashed these days 🤷‍♂️ very few blocks are affected by real spam and does not put the integrity of bitcoin at risk. Everything else is noise and power games between developers. I don't ...
Bert · 40w
I think it’s about 1,5 to 2 years ago when I asked the following question: “When the masses start running a different client or even a different client is actively pushed on their umbrel/start9 etc would this be a danger to bitcoin?”. I’m curious how your answer is now, I vividly remember y...
ShiShi21m · 40w
No one said you had a fiduciary duty. People have been donating to core devs to decentralize their funding so maybe their voices will at least be taken into account.
ShiShi21m · 40w
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₿lank ⚡️丰 · 40w
"open source means you can do whatever you want with the code, not with the people who write it." True. It is also true that the core does not decide which software we run.
Neigsendoig Cocules · 40w
Open-Source is becoming just a buzzword at this point. Look into the Free Software philosophy. That's how open-source should work.