As software is dominating our modern society in all regards, there are various practices, methodologies and business models surrounding its evolution; although the holy grail of software development could be open source. The community, the personal success stories, the historical paradigm shifts that have changed the world many times are all very compelling for young and ambitious developers alike. Open source may seem as alluring to some as it is unobtainable to others...
Before releasing anything as open source, before even writing the first line of code, there are questions haunting any developer's subconscious; more so external factors from third-parties and their reactions that can pressure or worse deter them from contributing any open source.
This is an obvious first: Doubt. Everyone measures reality based on themselves and if someone thinks they can't do something it's comforting to assume that no one else can either. Our society, our bureaucracy even our education system is based on this false assumption of "equality". Many quit from contributing to open source because they have convinced themselves they can't contribute.
This defeatist mentality can be overthrown with some good ol' ambition. The potential of matching other's success can be enough reason to participate in the open source scene. Even if vanity plays a big role for a good share of developers, it's hardly the best drive. That's because the creation will always be tempered by the ulterior motive of personal gain. The software will never be unlimited, untethered from personal goals and completely unrestricted. Aiming for a drive that's more altruistic has been proven to produce better results.
At first glance it seems plausible. Once an idea is out there anyone can copy it... In reality though, no one cares about ideas because there's no way of guaranteeing their success. People unanimously are interested in proven solutions. Even law has little regard for intangible concepts. You can only patent an application of an idea, not the idea itself.
We live in a world of "doing" because that is fundamentally what affects our surroundings. Ideas can be strong and if you are right you may be successful, but without an application any idea will amount to nothing. On the same vibe, never care for what others know or what mind games they play. When getting into this field, positively affecting people's lives is the primary goal.
Following the previous mindset, it's anyone's best guess how valuable some open source software is when there is no frame of reference, so corporation-backed open source is often believed to be better supported and with better chances of producing quality solutions. This "power in numbers" mentality is as juvenile as it is shortsighted. In the brief history of computer software it's been proven numerous times that individuals with a vision are the major catalysts of change, not corporations with millions in the bank.
Creating open source can become serious business though, like any other enterprise. Another popular opinion says that once successful you should expect the competition to be after you, and those with the deepest pockets will have the greatest means to obfuscate, undermine, appropriate and in general become obstacles in your way. There's no better advice than to simply seek trust within you. Every day there's going to be something new: some new challenge, some new evolution that changes the game for everyone. Open your mind to retain a unique, different view that will help you always be one step ahead.
Whenever personal gain is prioritized above mutual benefit any collective will turn into an exclusive club. Phenomena like the "bro culture" and "meritocracy" are manifestations of that tendency. The fact that sharing minimizes inherent risk is the at heart of Open Source. That's why open source needs to be all inclusive and provide a sane narrative that everyone can follow.
Fostering mistrust, promoting authoritative voices and treating developers as followers rather than makers are all red flags for an open source community. Being welcomed is not an issue because no one should be handing out invites. This controlling atmosphere stifles personal creativity and communal productivity; it breeds competitiveness instead of promoting the collaborative spirit.
Once confronted with the fact that there are no new wars, just different battles; that there have already been generations of developers that have fought and retired; the immediate thought is to wonder what's the point of doing anything, especially repeating something that's been done before.
There's a simple answer to this puzzle. Even if software is abundant, the connection you have with your code is unique. Some devs are so close to their code, they can't be disconnected from it no matter how long they are apart. All that matters is that connection to a creation.
If you're creating open source to compete with other developers, for the glory or for the reward you will most likely end up bitter and betrayed. Creating open source is not a novelty and should not be a popularity contest. It's a lifestyle choice and a creation marathon. Those who endure, those who persist, are the ones left on top. This requires a selfless devotion like a parent to their children or a monk to their faith.
Fast-forward to the end and we all like to recycle the many success stories, the "silent" moderate stories and the few sad stories that open source has given us. Any newcomer in this field will have to decide to either go under the wing of someone established, a mentor or corporation and feed from their worth, or make a personal stand. As the first may not be an option for the majority, this leaves them with either an early defeat or a challenge to "prove" themselves... So, "prove" yourself. Do it for you, not the reward.