5 ms·

Does the reasoning behind it matter? The public benefits from it, and they get to hire researchers that want to continue that work. It sounds like a win-win?

amelius 8y ago
It's a win-win, but with nasty side-effects. It's like our economy and its effect on the climate. Win-win for consumers and companies, but (without intervention) a downward spiral for our planet. Also, it puts us in a morally difficult situation because we are benefiting from the ones we criticize, and as such, it is hypocritical. Of course everyone can do as they please, but in my view it is best to look for moral-issue-free software instead of using BigCorp's candy-ware.
- losteric 8y ago
  > Also, it puts us in a morally difficult situation because we are benefiting from the ones we criticize, and as such, it is hypocritical. What moral difficulties do you see? My opinion is these companies are despicable but taking advantage of their generosity is not hypocritical. Applications and motives can be immoral, tools without human action simply exist.
  - amelius 8y ago
    You are ignoring that their generosity exists for a reason. Tools exist because of human action.
- buckysock 8y ago
  Also it’s now old tech for them - pushing it to the public domain allows the public to maintain it and improve it for free; not to mention having more people use their system is like free training before they hire the person. However, pushing it out surely does enhance the public knowledge - in the same way that Carmack released his 3d engines that were out dated in industry by one gen but still helped the public. Lastly - they need to push it out as they need to attract top talent, and need to demonstrate they have top tech there (and are willing to let their researchers claim credit for it once it becomes old enough).

5 ms·

Does the reasoning behind it matter? The public benefits from it, and they get to hire researchers that want to continue that work. It sounds like a win-win?

by Klathmon 8y ago

amelius 8y ago
It's a win-win, but with nasty side-effects. It's like our economy and its effect on the climate. Win-win for consumers and companies, but (without intervention) a downward spiral for our planet. Also, it puts us in a morally difficult situation because we are benefiting from the ones we criticize, and as such, it is hypocritical. Of course everyone can do as they please, but in my view it is best to look for moral-issue-free software instead of using BigCorp's candy-ware.
- losteric 8y ago
  > Also, it puts us in a morally difficult situation because we are benefiting from the ones we criticize, and as such, it is hypocritical. What moral difficulties do you see? My opinion is these companies are despicable but taking advantage of their generosity is not hypocritical. Applications and motives can be immoral, tools without human action simply exist.
  - amelius 8y ago
    You are ignoring that their generosity exists for a reason. Tools exist because of human action.
- buckysock 8y ago
  Also it’s now old tech for them - pushing it to the public domain allows the public to maintain it and improve it for free; not to mention having more people use their system is like free training before they hire the person. However, pushing it out surely does enhance the public knowledge - in the same way that Carmack released his 3d engines that were out dated in industry by one gen but still helped the public. Lastly - they need to push it out as they need to attract top talent, and need to demonstrate they have top tech there (and are willing to let their researchers claim credit for it once it becomes old enough).