[tomnipotent]

> This is an entrepreneurial community, we should rush to pay this author to support his efforts, rather than criticize his attempts to get something out of providing his work for free

Criticism is part of the feedback process, even if you don't agree with it.

No, we shouldn't just rush to pay him. We should evaluate his work and content as we could anyone that posts in "Show HN" - if you come here thinking you just get free marketing without the feedback part, then this is definitely the wrong community.

Giving something way for free doesn't preclude you from feedback, especially when that "free" is just part of a larger marketing tactic for building a personal & professional brand.