After a job rejection for lacking hands-on experience with specific tools, I demonstrated that systematic "black box" learning methodology can produce enterprise-grade results. Built complete Kubernetes platform with monitoring, security, and real applications in 17 hours over 6 days, leading to community contribution.
Recent events in the WordPress community have reignited discussions about open source contribution, echoing Dries Buytaert's insights on "makers" and "takers" in the ecosystem. However, there's a third category worth examining: those who create an appearance of contribution without truly engaging with the community's needs. Through Drupal's mature contribution recognition system, we can explore ways to encourage more meaningful participation and help everyone find their authentic path to contributing, moving beyond surface-level engagement to genuine community involvement. This reflection isn't about criticism, but about fostering a culture where various forms of contribution are valued and authentic engagement is encouraged.
