Introduction to the Controversy
Matt Mullenweg, the co-creator of WordPress, recently made a statement on X (formerly Twitter) about Joost de Valk, the creator of the Yoast SEO plugin. Mullenweg announced that de Valk would no longer be speaking at WordCamp Asia and was persona non grata. The reason for this decision was due to de Valk allegedly "stabbing" Mullenweg when he was vulnerable and betraying his confidence.
Background on Joost de Valk’s Removal
Joost de Valk was scheduled to speak at WordCamp Asia on February 21st, but he was removed from the schedule. Mullenweg’s post on X explained that de Valk was removed on his orders. A screenshot of de Valk’s original speaker agenda for WordCamp Asia showed that he was set to speak on the topic of marketing WordPress products.
Mullenweg’s Statement
Mullenweg posted a statement explaining why de Valk was removed from the WordCamp Asia schedule. He wanted to get ahead of any "drama" that de Valk might stir up, although de Valk has been silent about the removal on both X and his blog. Mullenweg stated that he felt de Valk had "stabbed" him when he was down, betrayed his confidence, and tried to take advantage of a situation for personal gain.
Out of Context Citations
Mullenweg cited statements made by de Valk to support his claims, but these statements were taken out of context. When viewed in their full context, the statements had a different meaning. For example, de Valk’s comment about WordPress being a "cult" was meant to suggest that the project needed a more diverse leadership, not that he wanted to overthrow Mullenweg.
The Full Context of de Valk’s Statements
De Valk’s full statements showed that he was advocating for a change in governance, not a change in leadership. He suggested creating a board with multiple stakeholders, including Mullenweg, to make decisions for the WordPress project. De Valk’s goal was to give a voice to all stakeholders, including Mullenweg, rather than trying to take control of the project.
Response to Mullenweg’s Post
The response to Mullenweg’s post was muted, likely due to the limited ability to respond on X. One response from @arniepalmer pointed out that de Valk was not trying to seize leadership of WordPress but rather discussing a way to expand leadership beyond one person. Arniepalmer suggested that Mullenweg and de Valk could have discussed their differences in person at WordCamp Asia, which could have been an opportunity to build bridges.
The Consequences of Silencing de Valk
The decision to oust de Valk from WordCamp Asia and declare him persona non grata has sparked controversy. Some have pointed out that silencing de Valk may not be the best approach, as it can build pressure and lead to further conflict. By not allowing de Valk to speak and express his opinions, Mullenweg may be creating a situation where change becomes more difficult to achieve.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Joost de Valk’s removal from WordCamp Asia and his persona non grata status with Matt Mullenweg has highlighted the challenges of governance and leadership in the WordPress community. While Mullenweg’s concerns about de Valk’s statements are understandable, taking them out of context and silencing him may not be the best approach. By listening to different perspectives and engaging in open dialogue, the WordPress community can work towards creating a more inclusive and diverse leadership structure that benefits everyone involved.