Quick question to my fellow Rubyists who happen to do Rails: would you really resent working with Zed? I've enjoyed Zed the few times I've met him in person and find the prospect of working with him to be a desirable thing.
I've always been of the mind that whatever problems someone has with other persons is between that someone and the other persons. Just because I happen to use Ruby/Rails doesn't make any difference.
I've never met Zed but have been impressed with some of his talks that I have seen. I'd really value the chance to work with him.