in reply to What makes a contributor to Perl?
I believe I made my position clear on this topic. There is no objective or abstract standard possible that determines whether one has or has not been of service to others. Particularly, I deny the validity of claims made by some who believe they may determine by themselves alone whether they are or are not making a contribution.
One may be certain of the usefulness of one's work by the criticism it receives from others. This may come in many forms: cash, a kind word, bug reports, formal recognition, and so forth. It may be long delayed, as illustrated by innumerable examples of great work only recognized as such some centuries after the creator's death. Nor can the absence of feedback prove lack of value. But it only when others tell us that we have made a contribution that we can be sure we have indeed served.