On Fri, 18 Nov 2005, Jamie Lokier wrote:

> Just one small thing.

> mikko puhakka wrote:

>> *What can we do ensure no-one steals or copies it?
>
> Isn't it the very essence of community that its best qualities
> _should_ be copied as far and wide as possible?


There are two elements of discussion here - a singular community, which is 
a unique entity; and the community constructs (procedure, policy, 
infrastructure, governance), which are more readily replicated.

A singular community can't be stolen.  People can attempt to copy it, by 
incorporating identical constructs, but I posit that the feasibility of 
this strategy is limited.  Communities are living, organic entities. 
Just as children with identical DNA who are raised in different 
environments may share similar characteristics, the environment also plays 
a role in their development.  So, communities and their environment are 
entertwined.  Just look at the Apache Software Foundation.  We have dozens 
of projects - all of whom are under the ASF umbrella and implement many of 
the same governance schemes.  However, each community project has its own 
personality and dynamic.  And it is this dynamic that gives a community 
its indelible, unique character.