talk on conference website
A code of conduct makes a community’s norms and values explicit and enforceable. Governance makes decision-making mechanisms transparent and accountable. A license makes the conditions of adoption and reuse of the community’s work explicit and legally binding. What’s missing is a kind of “connective tissue” bringing norms, governance, adoptions, and use together into a cohesive whole.
Social contracts are all around us, and have always been a natural part of our communities. They're an important part of how we ensure that general expectations of human behavior are met.
The Open Social Compact (OSC) is a new social governance tool for digital communities. It's used to establish unique "citizenship models" for digital communities, supported by a robust ethical framework that promotes just, equitable, and pro-social outcomes for everyone who participates.
