I have a lot of thoughts on the subject, considering my own developer journey over the last 20+ years in various settings around the world.

Ultimately, Damus is set up in such a way that it's all about what @jb55 wants to do. I greatly admire what he has done, and I've told Will numerous times that I'm always there if he wants to talk and share experiences.

Regarding what I would say publicly, the most important point is: when you are contributing to FOSS, you're building a reputation, not compensation. You won't make nearly as much as you would if you chose traditional routes (fiat job, startup, VCs, etc.).

A critical side effect of this is that you need to take care of the reputation, self-actualization, and motivation of everyone involved. Managing a FOSS project is a heavy burden. Money is a very powerful tool, and the fact that every civilization that has scaled invented it is no coincidence. It allows you to remove a lot of variables. Beyond a certain point, you can only scale with money to maintain structure.

So, if I were in Damus, I'd prioritize the happiness and reputation of contributors over impact. The track record clearly shows that something great is being done, so I wouldn't worry too much about making it "greater." Instead, as long as the work continues to be meaningful for Will and others participating, that's all that matters. 

 If anyone is curious to explore the topic of "reputation over compensation", take a look at Advancing Bitcoin talk I gave back in March this year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUgQPR6ecuo 

 Appreciate you @ROCKSTAR 

💪 

 Reputation is everything. This is how you can be successful in FOSS. It's a lot of work and it will not work for everyone or every project though. You need to find the right people and you need to be of the right mindset. 

Well said, Rockstar. You are, in fact, a Rockstar 🫂

nostr:nevent1qqsxuy3vnfhcv39nqewczh7vumvgpryxaehdezczqcsf9dxl77vucsqpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduhsygy3exj7r2t5gy2vdl3dvxhym6px98425ra49ayz3qyncln7qdhcxgpsgqqqqqqsxwt5e6 

 Thanks for sharing this with us 😊
#BTC #Zap #Nostr #Bitcoin 

 My notes: 

Be a cockroach, not a unicorn. 

Back your supporters. 

Delight your donors. 

Focus on your reputation, not compensation; doors will eventually open. 

Prepare for the bear (market); treasury management is critical. 

FOSS is a pillar of freedom tech. 

 FOSS is the way.
Your talk was very real. Thank you 

  I just want to say thanks for your commitment to wearing a mask all these years. You've saved lives! 

 My own first 🙏 

 Your Wisdom shines Brightly once again. Thank you Uncle for everything you do; guiding us all along the right path 

 Uncle Rocktard i mean Rockhard says smart big brain things worth listening to. I meant Rockstar. 

 Yep, fantastic. Thought so. Listened on 2x speed because I’ve gotta catch some zzz’s. Thank you for being you! 

 🤘🫥🤘 

 Please read @ROCKSTAR note several times before commenting below 

nostr:nevent1qqs2egevfr8cddqywvu3x33c9pegtzlrk6akxzmjqwuvrrwjzl20hespz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfdupzpywf5hs6jazpznr0uttp4ex7sf3fa24qldf0fq5gpy78ulsrd7pjqvzqqqqqqy7et8p8 

 Uncle is wise. 

 you can't feed your children with reputation though 

 Are you paying for the FOSS you posted this from? 

 no but I would if there was an option