It is a false assumption to think that software/hardware would not get made and paid for if it had a different economic model. Like if everyone was used to toll roads, it would be pretty common for people to say things like, "our road system could never be any good without tolls."

Society has undergone massive economic and cultural changes that most people thought were impossible.

I bet 100 years ago that 98% of people would say "impossible" to the prospect that hospitals would exist that would treat anyone without requiring them to pay.