Archive of UserLand's first discussion group, started October 5, 1998.

Re: Tim BL, Absolute Power (off-topic) (was Re: XHTML...)

Author:Wesley Felter
Posted:11/4/1999; 10:29:04 AM
Topic:XHTML...
Msg #:12710 (In response to 12694)
Prev/Next:12709 / 12711

1) The obvious adage comes to mind: "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely". TBL certainly holds absolute power within the W3C.

Within the W3C. How much power does the W3C have?

This may be an interesting study over time, because from what I have gleaned, the image of TBL is generally that of someone uncorruptible (and I certainly have no knowledge to the contrary).

Considering that he's not in it for the money, all that's left is his reputation. If he started absuing his position, the W3C's relevance would vanish.

2) On the more mundane side, but not unrelated to #1, even if he has not used this power up till now, the threat of the veto (either implicit or explicit) may well have exerted influence any number of times.

I hope so. Someone has to keep the Web's best interests in mind.




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