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I'm sure you see you've been downvoted. But I want to say I agree with you on the millions / billions bit. While I understand the rub about licenses, the fact

I'm sure you see you've been downvoted. But I want to say I agree with you on the millions / billions bit. While I understand the rub about licenses, the fact is the vast majority of code is not all that original or unique. Some fringe amount is, and those edge cases are worth discussing. But the rest? Likely not all in all all that special. Yes, we get paid good money to do it. But is that a function of what it takes to do the work, or the demand for the skill (relative to supply of that skill)? Frankly, I think some ppl just plain ol' fear Copilot. And either don't want ro admit it, or they have buried that fear. I'm not advocating ignoring the law / licenses. But putting a licence and lipstick on what is an everyday pig doesn't make that pig a unicorn. Does it?

lmm 4y ago
This example is one of those rare pieces of code that is special though. It's the product of years of deliberate work by professor-level academics. This is exactly the kind of person who would have the least to fear from copilot if it really was just automating the boring plumbing parts and not shamelessly copying high-value, creative, insightful code.
- chiefalchemist 4y ago
  I understand. But that's not the type to fear Copilot. Yes, they might object to the license violation. I get that. I acknowledge that. But when you're that intelligent and that creative you don't fear being replaced - displaced? - by something like Copilot. Nah. That's a fear for the mundane and the common. That's a fear for the rest of us.
  - lmm 4y ago
    Right, so the fact that this is the person complaining implies that it's not about fear at all, and is likely a far more legitimate concern.
    - nearbuy 4y ago
      Or that the professor has a legitimate concern, and a lot of people in the comments here don't have any code being stolen and are just afraid of Copilot. It can be both things. (I'm not endorsing either view, just trying to clarify.)
    - chiefalchemist 4y ago
      Fear here on HN.

lmm 4y ago

This example is one of those rare pieces of code that is special though. It's the product of years of deliberate work by professor-level academics. This is exactly the kind of person who would have the least to fear from copilot if it really was just automating the boring plumbing parts and not shamelessly copying high-value, creative, insightful code.

chiefalchemist 4y ago
I understand. But that's not the type to fear Copilot. Yes, they might object to the license violation. I get that. I acknowledge that. But when you're that intelligent and that creative you don't fear being replaced - displaced? - by something like Copilot. Nah. That's a fear for the mundane and the common. That's a fear for the rest of us.
- lmm 4y ago
  Right, so the fact that this is the person complaining implies that it's not about fear at all, and is likely a far more legitimate concern.
  - nearbuy 4y ago
    Or that the professor has a legitimate concern, and a lot of people in the comments here don't have any code being stolen and are just afraid of Copilot. It can be both things. (I'm not endorsing either view, just trying to clarify.)
  - chiefalchemist 4y ago
    Fear here on HN.