A world where people pay for software

Post by kayfox » Fri, Jul 28, 2023, 8:35 PM UTC

pfannkuchen wrote: post #332

TaylorAlexander wrote: post #306

Computers have an unprecedented ability to reproduce value for free. Programmers need a relatively fixed amount of resources to thrive. (The value of resources varies by location but we all need things like food, shelter, transportation, clothing, tools, etc etc) If we can find a way to make sure every person has what they need to thrive regardless of their income, programmers can open source all of their software an…

One problem is that most necessary projects aren’t fun, and most fun projects aren’t necessary. Does anyone design dishwashers as a hobby, as an easy example? How do you propose we motivate people to do work that isn’t fun? Currently the carrot of higher pay or ownership in a more valuable thing is doing that, so we would need something to replace it if that goes away.

Post by CatWChainsaw » Fri, Aug 04, 2023, 10:38 AM UTC

rootusrootus wrote: post #470

SequoiaHope wrote: post #439

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And yet 100 years ago Peter Kropotkin asked, "Are we good enough?" (to handle capitalism?) https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/petr-kropotkin-are-w... A single paragraph excerpt: "Men are not good enough for Communism, but are they good enough for Capitalism? If all men were good-hearted, kind, and just, they would never exploit one another, although possessing the means of doing so. With such men the private own…

Capitalism at least tries to use human selfishness to achieve a better outcome, even if imperfect. Could it be better? Obviously. I’m not convinced communism is the answer.