6 ms·
"I don't know if I'm just looking too far into your comment, but I don't see why you're blaming Netflix (or it seems you are) or how you got to them being the b
by criley2 10y ago
"I don't know if I'm just looking too far into your comment, but I don't see why you're blaming Netflix (or it seems you are) or how you got to them being the bad guys for this? They're not the ones that make the content. If it was up to Netflix, they would just release their shows DRM-free on Netflix for any platform. Unfortunately, that's not how things work and they have to bow to the demands of the content distributors (not creators, like some people have stated in other comments)."
We did a book study on a book called Clean Code where I work, and I reminded of a similar situation that the book explains when describing why we all write dirty and bad code.
Why do we write bad code? Because our stakeholders and our product owners require it. Well, they push deadlines and expectations on us that mean we have to cut corners to make their promises become reality within the unrealistic time provided.
But if you ask the stakeholder why they pust that on you, the stakeholder will say "well, it's the client". Or they'll say "marketing made a promise to the client".
It's always upstream. There's always an upstream concern.
In the book they talk about making a stand, as a developer. That you have a responsibility to explain to your stakeholders and the people above you that doing something the RIGHT way is worth it. That you are the subject matter expert, that it is your responsibility to raise these concerns and thus your responsibility to write good code.
Netflix can pass the buck. "We do what we have to".
But they have a responsibility as one of the premiere web companies to do more than pass the buck.
A Good Internet doesn't happen accidentally, and it doesn't happen when stakeholders pass the buck. It happens when people make a stand for what's right and operate according to their values.
So yes, it is Netflix's responsibility not to bend Mozilla into accepting a Studio's IP demands, but to bend the Studio into accepting humanity's internet demands.
Why do we assume that Netflix can persuade Mozilla, but not a rightsholder?
- mentat 10y agoThe balance of the power is with the rightsholder. They own the content that Netflix wants to sell and that people want to watch.
- komali2 10y agoIs it Netflix's sole responsibility though? Their only real legal responsibility (other than, well, to not break the law) is to add value for their shareholders. "Taking a stand against DRM" doesn't sound like that. It sounds more like the job of the citizens to elect representatives that support a Good Internet, and if the politicians they elect turn around and screw their supporters (which isn't illegal), to elect new politicians. A pretty disgusting and slow system, sure, but the only other solution I can think of (I am not a smart man) is outright revolution, and hoping the revolutionary government is all about a Good Internet. EDIT: I'm fine with being downvoted if I'm wrong or stupid, but I'd appreciate if someone could tell me why they believe I'm wrong or stupid.
- dkonofalski 10y agoWhile I agree that there's always an upstream to hot potato too, Netflix really isn't in a position to make those kinds of demands. That's part of the reason why they're starting to produce their own content. The majority of the revenue in their business model comes from the content they show and the majority of that content is owned by someone else. If there wasn't historical precedent of companies giving Netflix the finger and pulling all of their content from their service, I would say that Netflix could push the boundaries and take a stand to try and make a change in the right direction. Unfortunately, until losing Netflix as a platform hurts the movie studios and publishers, that's not going to happen.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- EpicEng 10y agoNetflix absolutely does not have a responsibility to go out of business for the sake of pushing an issue few people care about. They have no real leverage here.