You feel it’s constructive to describe other contributor’s observations as ‘meaningless’ ?
Your own claim is certainly not ‘meaningless’, but its meaning does seem arguable:
every implementation of Markdown violates the current “spec” because it is so ambiguous
Well, John MacFarlane openly acknowledges that there are:
places where this spec says things that contradict the canonical syntax description
Do you disagree then, with John’s distinction between contradictions and variations authorised by ambiguity ?
Unless you do, it might well seem just a little careless or aggressive to claim that all variations within the scope of ambiguity “violate” the current spec, and perhaps a little combative or defensive to inform others (on demonstrably shaky ground) that their very reasonable and helpful statements are ‘meaningless’.
In the last analysis, any technical standard (or indeed constitution or law) expresses a compromise between differing interests, and the nature of the compromise is effectively shaped by the prevailing balance of forces at the time.
If this standard is to enjoy respect and confidence, contributors do need to feel that their views and needs are respected, and that the shots are not being called exclusively by those who happen to own the platform of discussion, or are given to egregiously self-righteous or aggressive rhetoric.
In short, they need to feel that the forum is not a charade, a theatre set up by powerful interests who are determined to shape events in the manner which best suits their own interests and businesses.
The tension between:
- Claims that the initial project is to add rigour to the existing core, and
- the fact that it already incorporates changes which in John MacFarlane’s words “contradict the canonical syntax description”, and which are closely associated with particular and powerful players,
is already expressive of a balance of forces which might well risk undermining credibility, and alienating potential adopters.
A pity, because the product of these efforts could be valuable.