On Thu, Jul 12, 2018 at 1:50 PM Brett Cannon <brett@python.org> wrote:
[..]
>> One way would be to re-elect them every 5 or so years. Essentially,
>> an N-virate is a dictator-like entity for a few years.
>
>
> But that doesn't help deal with inconsistency since that just means we have consistency for 2 releases and then we start all over again. If you're suggesting someone forcibly rotates out every 5 years then that's different since that adds in some consistency thanks to the remaining two members.
My worry is that not everybody can stick to to be with Python for a
few decades like Guido. Ideally, there should be a mechanism for both
leaving the N-virate and being appointed to it.
I'm assuming that's what would be the next step if we decide this N-virate approach is agreed to. Like when you talk about every 5 years, can people stand back up and just consistently re-join, or is is 5 years and then you have to rotate out?
Another worry -- Guido knows mostly everything about all aspects of
Python design in all fields. To illustrate my point, I'm particularly
worried about async/await, asyncio/trio/twisted ecosystem -- so far it
seems that it's only Guido and I who've spent a huge chunk of their
time maintaining (or caring about) it. We have many other critical
fields besides async: general language design, packaging, scientific
ecosystem, web (partially overlaps with async), performance, etc.
Essentially we need to build our N-virate to have knowledgable
representatives (formally known as BDFL-delegates) from all of those
fields, otherwise the language can stop evolving in some important
directions.
Yes, Guido has a unique skill set. Having said that, one would also hope that anyone chosen to do this would be up for learning a few new things. ;) This is also why Guido delegated to folks on occasion and talked to experts for opinions, something I expect people chosen to do this would
IOW I don't see anyone (or some group of 3) who is as well-versed in
everything on Guido's level. That can be solved if Guido agrees to
join the permanent N-virate though :)
No one has suggested we haven't been extremely lucky for the past 28 years. :) I also don't think we will reach perfection in any solution anyway and this is somewhat of a "least bad" situation.