Web Standards and the Fall of the House of Iamus

316 · Alex Russell · Sept. 21, 2025, 8:35 a.m.
Summary
The blog post explores the dynamics of web standards development and the evolution of features in browsers, arguing that traditional Working Groups are often not effective design venues. It counters the notion that formal standardization is necessary for quality or interoperability, using historical examples such as WebP to illustrate that many successful implementations are adopted before becoming formal standards. The author emphasizes the importance of agile, collaborative design processes in addressing developer needs, rather than relying solely on bureaucratic standards organizations.