[Osmf-talk] Alternative Strategic Plan

[steveaOSM]

> On May 16, 2023, at 10:20 PM, Alexander Heinlein <alexander.heinlein at web.de> wrote:
> Hi Steve,
> On May 16th 2023 00:13:34 MESZ Steve Coast wrote <steve at stevecoast.com>:
>> That’s what I mean by complete - if addresses and then PoIs were radically improved then OSM would be “complete” in the same way any other map is.
> 
> Actually this is not so hard to achieve, depending on the geographic region. Just start mapping.

There is a sweet spot of "focused effort" together with "crowdsourced, individual 'I know my neighborhood' mapping, along with thousands, even millions of others" which can achieve things.  It isn't either-or, it is both.

OSM will always be a multi-headed hydra because of the anarchy of its volunteers.  But it does have a purpose and that purpose can be focused.  We do this a lot, like at group meetings, in sub-communities or with gamification squares where we have geo-focused tasks that we complete.  And one checkerboard of the planet at a time, we improve our map (data) as we finish things.

If the Board were to "channel consensus" into "let's better map addresses (or POIs, or whatever), here are some focused ways we might achieve some success at that..." I'd listen.  I'd be likely to participate, too.  Especially as others do.  The right kinds of sparks and soon there is a prairie fire (in a good way) of participation.  I don't mind being led in OSM, especially by smart, enlightened, effective leadership.  Actions speak louder than words (or resumes / CVs / company affiliations / university degrees / government or military experience / professional cartography affiliations).

What is clear to me and many is that communication seems to have gotten harder (more difficult) with the various "stovepiping" (narrowly channeled / focused communication technologies / methodologies).  It feels to me like we are doing more talking past each other than talking with each other.  It feels slightly dangerous, like we are losing our ability to talk amongst ourselves effectively.  That concerns me most about this project.  The specifics of mapping and other seemingly immediate "threats" almost pale in comparison to what feels like a distinct inability to effectively communicate among ourselves.