Effective immediately, I am resigning from my position as moderator on Stack Overflow. I will no longer actively participate on the site or network sites. I will move whatever discussions I can with the people here to other media, and mostly refrain from entering chat.
These words are very hard for me to write — a decent chunk of my life was made here on Stack Overflow. My programming practices, my career, and a good chunk of my professional knowledge are overwhelmingly thanks to Stack Overflow, and the people who make it up.
Back in September, when this whole thing started, I advocated patience. That we didn't know the story. That considering only what we had observed, and ignoring interpretations, there was still a good chance of salvaging the situation.
I no longer hold that belief. I believe that since then the trend had only more extremely sloped downwards, and yet downwards, the two turning points being the absolute lack of resolution with Monica, and the recent firing of two of our most valued members. I no longer believe that there's a good chance that the site and its ideals, for which I had joined all those years ago, can be saved.
I no longer believe that the company's leadership is playing in good faith towards a common goal with its users, and in hindsight I conclude that it has never played in good faith since the beginning of these recent events. I no longer believe that we are playing a positive sum game— in fact, I am no longer sure of the expected payoff of many of the players, nor their goals.
I'd like to thank the community management team (both current and former) for their boundless patience, professionalism, and competence over the years, and especially in these trying times.
I'd like to thank my fellow moderators across the network, with whom I've engaged in a great many eye opening discussions — on moderation and other topics, and who had radically changed and shaped my way of thinking.
And I'd like to thank all of you. The members of our community. New and veteran. Currently participating and no. High reputation and low. You are who make this community great. And are the only real remaining light I see here. Continue to be excellent to each other, and stay strong.
Thank you. It has been an honor serving you, and with you. And goodbye.
