"Extortion" does feel like the appropriate word to use in this case, I say only partly in jest - there's certainly been coercion or threats, having seen Matt's messages to WP Engine before his conference appearance.

Automattic and Mullenweg continue to surprise me at seemingly every turn. I also find some of the language being used ostensibly BY Automattic in these blog posts just incredible, coming from what is supposed to be a respected and respectable organisation. I'm seriously considering whether to ever use WordPress again for projects.