Politics, sentiment and alternatives.

This season finale is the first episode of Crossword to be recorded in person. Jonathan and Luke are recording from CloudFest in Germany. They discuss the highlights of the conference itself, including how Luke jumped up on stage unannounced, meeting Mary Hubbard, and what is coming next.

Matt Mullenweg’s latest actions have Jonathan confused. They discuss Matt’s proposals to slow down releases, his ominous warnings about the future of WordPress, and the unsettling disconnect between his words and actions. Is this a calculated tactic, or a sign of deeper trouble?

Jonathan and Luke celebrate the 100th episode of Crossword! Join them as they reminisce about the past five years, revisit some of their favorite moments and biggest disagreements, and reflect on how much has changed in the WordPress world – and in their own lives.

Luke and Jonathan discuss the latest news from WordCamp Asia, particularly the absence of any significant controversy at the event. They also talk about the importance of community contributions, the need for clear guidelines for sponsorships and explain what hard yakka means for anyone not from Australia.

In this episode Luke and Jonathan talk about the intersection of politics and WordPress including the recent dismantling of 18F. They also discuss the WordPress Sentiment Analysis Report and the WordPress alternatives that they have been dabbling with.

In the wake of the current uncertainty in the WordPress community, the repository has become a valuable source of objective reporting that is not found elsewhere. Jonathan and Luke discuss the importance of independent journalism, the challenges of covering a complex and emotionally charged conflict, and the vital role the repository plays in holding powerful figures accountable.

The WordPress plugin repository is seeing an influx of AI-generated plugins, and Luke is on the front lines. He and Jonathan discuss the challenges of reviewing AI-generated code, and the potential implications for the future of the plugin repo. Is this a threat to the ecosystem, or a sign of exciting new possibilities?

Jonathan seeks WordPress therapy from Luke, grappling with a growing sense of unease about the state of the project. They discuss the hallenges of navigating a rapidly changing landscape, the importance of finding opportun ities amidst the chaos, and the need for honest conversations about the future of WordPress.

From Post Status's non-profit transformation to the emergence of the WPCC, the foundations of the WordPress ecosystem are shifting. Maybe. Jonathan and Luke discuss the potential for positive change, or further fragmentation.

Luke asks Jonathan if he has started investing time in other platforms and technologies in light of recent events. Jonathan shares his evolving perspective on WordPress and the open web. They also grapple with quantifying the real-world impact of this series of events.