I write free software for selfish reasons--I want powerful software as Paul Graham defines it. That powerful software amplifies thought is a side benefit. The

I write free software for selfish reasons--I want powerful software as Paul Graham defines it. That powerful software amplifies thought is a side benefit. The more I (or groups) get together to think important thoughts, the more we can creatively destroy the parts of the system we don't like, and create systems we do. I think there are real consequences of powerful software (more broadly, powerful computation); and I try to keep systemic consequences in mind as I write software.