Debian and the sirens

In 1993, the author began working as a developer for Debian. After 12 years, they chose to leave the project due to it becoming overly rigid and resistant to change. While Debian's complexity was a result of deliberate decisions, this made it difficult for the system to adapt and explore new possibilities. The author is present at today's vote to allow the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) in Debian development, but will only share their thoughts afterward.

Reflecting on the project, the author remembers that debhelper was developed to regularize boilerplate code in debian/rules files, reducing complexity and making package creation easier. However, LLMs in development may eliminate any motivation to streamline processes or revise policies, potentially leading to a more rigid Debian that struggles to innovate.

The author fears that Debian could become overly dependent on proprietary software, while still requiring human involvement in tedious tasks. While they will still occasionally be present as a passenger, the author believes it's time to explore other avenues and appreciate the many perspectives. The author lost a parent recently and does not want to think of this experience as losing a child, as they spent 18 years helping Debian mature.

Despite the potential for difficult decisions, the author acknowledges that Debian's value extends beyond its policies.