Title: The wrong direction
Last modified: April 17, 2019

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# The wrong direction

 *  [andyg2](https://wordpress.org/support/users/andyg2/)
 * (@andyg2)
 * [7 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/the-wrong-direction/)
 * According to an external source which tracks what technology websites are “built
   with”, WordPress usage in the top 1 million sites in the world is now in decline
   for the first time, ever.
 * The entire community is not just upset but they’re getting angry now because 
   you’ve closed your eyes and ears to the feedback and ignored (or spat in the 
   face of) the same philosophy that got you this far. I wouldn’t be surprized if
   a non Guternberg fork occurred.
 * Philosophy states: “Design for the Majority” – it used to be the majority of 
   web developers but now it’s design for the majority of non-web developers. What
   do you think that’s going to do to the quality of websites produced? Just because
   you make something technically possible for the masses doesn’t mean they’re quipped
   to make good design descisions.
 * Philosophy states: “Clean, Lean, and Mean” – “It’s designed to be lean and fast
   and will always stay that way” – Wait did someone miss that part in the Gutenberg
   design meetings? Gutenberg barely runs, it’s janky, sluggish and cluttered. It’s
   not clean nor fast but I guess it is mean: to everyone who doesn’t know how to
   turn it off.
 * Philosophy states: “The rule of thumb is that the core should provide features
   that 80% or more of end users will actually appreciate and use. If the next version
   of WordPress comes with a feature that the majority of users immediately want
   to turn off, or think they’ll never use, then we’ve blown it. If we stick to 
   the 80% principle then this should never happen.”
 * Well put your money where your mouth is – 80% of users do not appreciate and 
   use this “feature” so turn it off.
 * Philosophy states: “Striving for Simplicity”
    Well I understand that striving
   isn’t the same as achieving and that it’s more exploratory, learning from mistakes
   and improving through trial and error. It does only work if you learn though.
 * Philosophy states: “The Vocal Minority
    When making decisions on how to move 
   forward with future versions of WordPress, we look to engage more of those users
   who are not so vocal online. We do this by meeting and talking to users at WordCamps
   across the globe, this gives us a better balance of understanding and ultimately
   allows us to make better decisions for everyone moving forward.”
 * Wait what? You don’t trust the people who make content online (like website developers)
   but you do trust people who visit convention centers.
 * So sorry, it’s not for me.
 * I have a question though.
    What will it take to have the decision “to make clunky
   blocks the default” reversed?
    -  This topic was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by [Steven Stern (sterndata)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sterndata/).
    -  This topic was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by [Jan Dembowski](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jdembowski/).
      Reason: Removed links
    -  This topic was modified 7 years, 1 month ago by [andyg2](https://wordpress.org/support/users/andyg2/).

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

 *  Moderator [Jan Dembowski](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jdembowski/)
 * (@jdembowski)
 * Forum Moderator and Brute Squad
 * [7 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/the-wrong-direction/#post-11426459)
 * The numbers do not support your conclusion but I’m not going to get into that
   with you or anyone. This is your feedback, not mine or anyone else.
 * But please leave links out of the reviews here. That’s not permitted and I have
   removed yours.
 * Edit: Also the reviews default to 5 stars. We’re kind of positive that way and
   I think you mean to change yours. You can do that via this link.
 * [https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/gutenberg/reviews/#new-post](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/gutenberg/reviews/#new-post)
    -  This reply was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by [Jan Dembowski](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jdembowski/).
 *  [asmaloney](https://wordpress.org/support/users/asmaloney/)
 * (@asmaloney)
 * [7 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/the-wrong-direction/#post-11426783)
 * [@andyg2](https://wordpress.org/support/users/andyg2/) – I’m fairly certain –
   as Jan pointed out – that you didn’t mean to leave a 5 star review 🙂
 * > I wouldn’t be surprized if a non Guternberg fork occurred.
 * There is – it’s called ClassicPress.
 * [@jdembowski](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jdembowski/) – is there an 
   official response/position on the “Gutenberg Backlash” somewhere? Thanks!
 *  Moderator [Jan Dembowski](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jdembowski/)
 * (@jdembowski)
 * Forum Moderator and Brute Squad
 * [7 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/the-wrong-direction/#post-11426791)
 * >  is there an official response/position on the “Gutenberg Backlash” somewhere?
   > Thanks!
 * Despite the numbers gaming, despite the fervent detractors, despite incorrect
   premise of that the new editor is a failure, there’s no need to address the backlash
   and validate those assumptions.
 * Has there been problems for some? Yes. But the volume of that isn’t greater than
   the amount than any other major release. That goes for the adoption rate.
 * Now as I wrote, I’m not getting into it. I’m also closing this post before other
   people feel so inclined.
 * The reviews are feedback and that’s been left. It’s not blog post and it isn’t
   a place to advertise other solutions.
 * Feel free to leave your own review if you like.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

The topic ‘The wrong direction’ is closed to new replies.

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 * 3 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [Jan Dembowski](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jdembowski/)
 * Last activity: [7 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/the-wrong-direction/#post-11426791)