> socialist zealots As if what-the-hell-is-an-externality free market "libertarian" zealots were any better. > that function is now open source, for the entir

> socialist zealots As if what-the-hell-is-an-externality free market "libertarian" zealots were any better. > that function is now open source, for the entire world to see and use. Period. It is never going away, it's never going to be unavailable. Or locked up. Sure. It's completely inconceivable that the moderation team might take down your comment, add "value" (read: adverts and malware) to your code, compile it into a binary and then charge $499.99 for a copy. Though even if something like that happened, you should be fine with it, right? If you don't like this outcome, you wouldn't publish it here in the first place. Everyone did exactly what they wanted and everyone should be happy. Total freedom! Copyleft guarantees freedom for the recipient of the software, whichever hands it passes through. Were it not for copyleft, proprietary software vendors could always take the open source code, do some "adding value" without releasing source code, lock in users into a proprietary platform using network effects or whatever, and in the process make the original software useless and drive it out of business ("Why do you keep using this OpenBSDM crap instead of buying EvilEmpireCorp LiteralKillerApp 9002™©®™® like everyone else? It has shiny rounded corners!"). Copyleft doesn't always remove this advantage completely, but it often helps level the playing field. Copyleft exists for some very good reasons. To not recognise them, and to spew slurs on it claiming it's not "Real Freedom" doesn't reflect very well on your viewpoint.