another example I like to think about would be where a large mega corporation makes a bet on a certain technology by buying up a bunch of patents and suing othe

another example I like to think about would be where a large mega corporation makes a bet on a certain technology by buying up a bunch of patents and suing others for infringing, but then as folks in the industry become knowledgeable of these things they work hard to come up with an open alternative and the community begins to pour their efforts into this open alternative (those who truly know the field). I think it's becoming obvious that this is the direction the technology industry is going. Many other industries will ultimately follow suit but until there is more transparency into the small differences (that currently exist) between how, for example, pharmaceutical companies or oil companies operate, no tangible competition or need to separate themselves from the pack will exist. Once employees truly understand in a more comprehensive way how their employer stands out from the pack in terms of that company's social conscience, they have a new way to gauge their decisions as to who to chose as their employer. I imagine this process (because of many of the ideas presented by others in this thread) would be a slow one, but I get the impression (if dome right) it could have an impact to help force the idea that you will in fact be more successful in the long run if you work hard to differentiate yourself as a socially conscientious employer.