3 ms·
> Wow, I'm really surprised to find someone on HN who is against capitalism. Heh, yeah :) It's possible to like computers and enjoy programming without being a
by duairc 16y ago
> Wow, I'm really surprised to find someone on HN who is against capitalism.
Heh, yeah :) It's possible to like computers and enjoy programming without being a capitalist though! Look at the free software movement!
What you are describing is "anarcho"-capitalism, I think. I'm an anarchist. We seem to agree agree on some things. I think most of the same things that stop people from organising and participating in communes in our current society would still exist in an "anarcho"-capitalist society. The rich still control the means of production, and the poor need to work for the rich in order to survive. I can't see that ending well. That's the essence of it.
- sagarm 16y agoCapitalism and F/OSS advocacy are not contradictory. I'm of the opinion that for certain kinds of software, F/OSS is the most efficient approach in the context of a free market. In particular, for software that (1) has a wide audience and (2) does not provide a significant competitive advantage, it makes sense to share the development burden amongst others that need the same software. A successful open source project is cheaper to maintain because of market forces: more organizations (including your own) are able to develop expertise in the software, driving down the price of such support.
- steveklabnik 16y agoIt's absolutely true that sometimes F/OSS can make sense as a tactic within capitalism. Generally though, F/OSS is used as an example of how people don't behave rationally, in an economic sense.
- ArturSoler 16y agoRationality in an economic sense does not mean "logical". What it means is "purposeful".