> There was a lot of discussion but it was generally polite
Except where everyone called for him to be fired, and publicly slandered and demonized him on Twitter, github, HN, and in blogs.
But apart from that, yes, a model of civility.
Hence the word "generally". That was a vocal minority, on the comments linked at least. The person who did it got called out from people on both sides. I can't comment on the rest of the places.
I'm not sure if Joyent's blog, which characterized him as an "asshole", would qualify as a minority voice.
There was a lot of discussion but it was generally polite
There was an announcement from the node people saying that had he been an employee, he would have been fired on the spot. Not retrained, mediated, facilitated or whatever. Nothing inclusive, just 'put a foot wrong, bam, fired'. There was no profanity, but it was a pretty offensive and poorly-thought out response from Joyent, a professional entity.
It was a terribly-managed situation, and while I certainly think his commit refusal was wrong, after a comment like that (the subtext is 'i personally hate this guy, froth froth froth'), I can't blame the guy for leaving.
> I think people went unforgivably ape-shit
I'm not sure people went "ape-shit". There was a lot of discussion but it was generally polite, a lot more so than the normal internet discussion.
>they stopped contributing to an important project
That's a shame