Re:The Internet Relies on People Working for Free
by Matumio on Tuesday September 17, 2019 @04:37PM
(#20999804)
Enjoying to solve problems, yes. And curiosity too! Both are great motivators.
But selflessness? That's the lie we tell ourselves when the true driver is something else, like narcissism.
It's not a bad lie. The outcome is pretty much the same while it lasts. But altruism is not a reliable motivator, and certainly not a requirement for volunteer work. A requirement is to have basic human needs met with some minimal security. Like, not having to judge everything you do by how much money it will earn you.
But selflessness? That's the lie we tell ourselves when the true driver is something else, like narcissism.
It's not a bad lie. The outcome is pretty much the same while it lasts. But altruism is not a reliable motivator, and certainly not a requirement for volunteer work. A requirement is to have basic human needs met with some minimal security. Like, not having to judge everything you do by how much money it will earn you.