Google does a lot of Linux kernel work, a lot of gcc work, a lot of clang work, open-sources monumental amounts of code, pays several hundred students to work on open-source during summer.

If that's not enough to "generate a ton of good will" then doing one more minor thing won't change anything.

If they start giving out hundred dollar bills, you'll be complaining that it's not two hundred dollar bills.

I'm aware of the work they do. A couple of stupid decisions can cancel out a lot of good will. Not back-porting key pieces of tech and sunsetting products without open-sourcing them is going to counteract the good will they generate. I actually don't dislike Google, and appreciate that they've been a decent open-source player.

This is not so minor.

If they start handing out hundred dollar bills I would think they'd gone nuts.