Re:Ask HN: Dear open source devs how do you sustain yourself
by metabagel on Monday May 18, 2020 @11:06AM
(#23223243)
He contacted wealthy philanthropists, who regularly give money to worthy causes. It’s not an unreasonable thing to do.
Re:Ask HN: Dear open source devs how do you sustain yourself
by thih9 on Monday May 18, 2020 @12:03PM
(#23224159)
These people receive 100s of requests like this. Perhaps they're focusing on funding something else.
Also, I don't understand why people seem to expect a reply to a (probably) cold email.
Re:Ask HN: Dear open source devs how do you sustain yourself
by svjatoslav on Monday May 18, 2020 @03:47PM
(#23227478)
You are using https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man argument. It is not about other people being obligated to pay me personally. The point is more general: there is lots of wasted talent. For example: Nicola Tesla did not had own money to support work that later changed the world. Instead he was stuck wasting his time digging trenches and working for Edisson for pennies. It was pure luck that he met George Westinghouse and with his support was able to realize some of his ideas. The point is that too often generally useful work that few gifted people can do does not result in timely or proper compensation to the author. Having dedicated effort for identifying such people and projects and supporting them would be very good use of philanthropic money. And Open Source projects is very good place to look.
Re:Ask HN: Dear open source devs how do you sustain yourself
by antocv on Monday May 18, 2020 @09:11AM
(#23221848)
> The rich aren't obligated to hand you money
> use your own money to support open s...
Why should he feel obligated to support others?
Re:Ask HN: Dear open source devs how do you sustain yourself
by Accujack on Monday May 18, 2020 @02:00PM
(#23226000)
He seems to think other people should support him doing open source work, is this not the same thing?
Re:Ask HN: Dear open source devs how do you sustain yourself
by bluGill on Monday May 18, 2020 @10:40AM
(#23222891)
He isn't. However if he wants to support himself doing open source that is the requirements. Everyone must consider their own values. Starving artist is a meme because many artists live on almost nothing to do art.
Re:Ask HN: Dear open source devs how do you sustain yourself
by woodrowbarlow on Monday May 18, 2020 @10:04AM
(#23222427)
you cut out the "if you prefer, [...] use your own money".
Your solution to this problem seems to be focused on what other people can do to make things easier for you and others like you, but that's not how humanity works.
You're ignoring that your request is unreasonable because you're taking the easy way out - looking for a source of money and convincing yourself that your efforts deserve it because it's easier than doing the work yourself.
Stallman is right. Live cheaply. If you prefer, work full time at a well paid job and use your own money to support open source development. The rich aren't obligated to hand you money because you believe you're doing the right thing.