1.6 Kubernetes 1.29 «Mandala» Released
======================================

2023-12-16

    The theme for Kubernetes v1.29 is Mandala

    Each Kubernetes release is the culmination of the hard work of
    thousands of individuals from our community.  The people behind
    this release come from a wide range of backgrounds, some of us
    industry veterans, parents, others students and newcomers to
    open-source.  We combine our unique experience to create a
    collective artifact with global impact.

    Much like a garden, our release has ever-changing growth,
    challenges and opportunities.  This theme celebrates the meticulous
    care, intention and efforts to get the release to where we are
    today.  Harmoniously together, we grow better.

                 -- _Kubernetes v1.29: Mandala (1)_

  Another Kubernetes release, and this time I played the role of
Release Notes lead.  Extremely fortunate to have had a great team of
shadows, and also a great team in general - Priyanka Saggu did a great
job as Release Lead, in particular, and it always amazes me how smooth
things go considering the complexity and the volunteer nature of the
participants (although it really shouldn't).

  You can check the main updates in the blog above, and also in the
Release Notes (2).

  More than the technical aspects of the new release (and there are
plenty), this was once again a great experience.  I have this dreadful
need to fill what I perceive as 'free time' with things, which is
particularly concerning given the number of things that interest me.  My
increased participation in Kubernetes is at least partially related to
this, but also made easier through the way the community really fosters
participation.  This is quite different from the much more 'do it or
GTFO' scene in the 90s/00s, which in hindsight likely alienated a lot of
brilliant people.  The Hacker Crackdown (3), now that I think of it,
also makes similar observations on the 80s/90s scene.

  Anyway, it's clear to me that treating people with care and respect
is a marked improvement, even if a nostalgic view of the past (plus
survivor bias) might creep in...  and this is why it's ultimately 'easy'
to contribute and keep active in several fronts.

  ---------- Footnotes ----------

  (1) Kubernetes v1.29: Mandala
(https://kubernetes.io/blog/2023/12/13/kubernetes-v1-29-release/)

  (2) Release Notes
(https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/blob/master/CHANGELOG/CHANGELOG-1.29.md)

  (3) The Hacker Crackdown (https://www.mit.edu/hacker/hacker.html)