Open Source is not immune to monopoly

#1

Post by ilreb » Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 12:35 AM UTC

Open Source is not immune to monopoly
humancode.us

Re: Open Source is not immune to monopoly

#2

Post by doppp » Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 2:21 AM UTC

Think OP is confused as to what a monopoly and a benevolent dictatorship is.

Re: Open Source is not immune to monopoly

#3

Post by hacker_homie » Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 2:23 AM UTC

I get where you are coming from, I assume most of the "code" in the linux kernel is driver code?

That being the case my understanding is splitting this project up is not only a technical challenge but a legal one.

You could make a common API for driver code, this would make the main driving force of linux much weaker.

Nvidia tried to stay out of tree for years and was dragged kicking and screaming upstream because they needed the reliability.

I'm saying the very thing you are calling out as a problem is currently what is forcing everyone contribute to the mainline kernel.

Without centralized leader ship the facturing of the linux kernel would be a disaster.

Re: Open Source is not immune to monopoly

#4

Post by hacker_homie » Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 2:30 AM UTC

doppp wrote: post #2

Think OP is confused as to what a monopoly and a benevolent dictatorship is.

Yeah that might be a better way to put it, if anyone is used to dealing with developer slop is the kernel.

Re: Open Source is not immune to monopoly

#5

Post by gumby » Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 2:39 AM UTC

There are other alternatives like the bsds and if things become intolerable a switch is viable. It just takes work.

Re: Open Source is not immune to monopoly

#6

Post by mpyne » Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 2:55 AM UTC

The Linux kernel isn't even a monopoly though.... FreeBSD, OpenBSD, heck even ReactOS are all things you can use and make better instead.

No one is forcing you to use Linux any more than anyone is forcing you to use Windows or macOS.

Re: Open Source is not immune to monopoly

#7

Post by knighthack » Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 3:29 AM UTC

How you started completely disqualified whatever the author of the article argues next:

"...The recent fiasco involving Linus Torvalds running Linux like the privileged man that he is and entirely missing the central points of the arguments made by people who don't enjoy his kind of privilege..."

It was his 'privilege' that led to the technical competency of the project that is now enjoyed by many.

Attacking someone's 'privilege' is the lowest form of argument.

Re: Open Source is not immune to monopoly

#8

Post by bugjoey » Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 4:26 AM UTC

His/her confusion about economic systems and political systems is sad. And monopoly is not tied to capitalism.

Anyway, Linux is a technocracy. Actually, a technical meritocracy to be more precise, rather than economic or political dominance.

Re: Open Source is not immune to monopoly

#9

Post by allanmacgregor » Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 11:08 AM UTC

Stopped reading immediatly ...." Linus Torvalds running Linux like the privileged man that he is and entirely missing the central points of the arguments made by people who don’t enjoy his kind of privilege"

Its open source, go start your own project and stop complaining.

Re: Open Source is not immune to monopoly

#10

Post by inigyou » Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 11:10 AM UTC

mpyne wrote: post #6

The Linux kernel isn't even a monopoly though.... FreeBSD, OpenBSD, heck even ReactOS are all things you can use and make better instead. No one is forcing you to use Linux any more than anyone is forcing you to use Windows or macOS.

Great analogy because Windows was officially declared to be a monopoly once.