> Sometimes people build things of value and want others to take it. For example, open source.
And it's always suboptimal for the person who does it.
Want to compare the bank account/quality of life of Linus with the one of Larry Ellison or Bill Gates?
People rebut that given the geographical constraints and the "winner take all" market that is software Linus played his hand in the best way possible because there would have been no space to fight Microsoft, Apple or Oracle on a for-profit basis.
If that is true then it's not a real rebut, because it ceases to be altruism . It's just the same mental process experienced by entrepreneurs who decide to be at the helm of for-profit organizations. Except it has virtue signaling baked in it to sell it in a better way and capture a niche of people who are politically charged or hate big for-profit organizations.
I'd assume Linus has much better quality of life than Gates or Ellison. He's pretty well off, but doesn't have to suffer from recognazibility and billionaire problems.
Having your children abducted and held for ransom. People wanting to kill you because they think you put microchips in their bodies through a vaccine. Not knowing if people you meet are just trying to extract money or publicity from you.
The first 2 are solved by top notch security which billionaire money can buy (and then some)
The last "problem" honestly it's more of a compliment , and besides a billionaire's pockets are so deep that the extraction of money via social interactions are small leaks which are not only acceptable but should be again taken as a compliment.
And it's always suboptimal for the person who does it.
Want to compare the bank account/quality of life of Linus with the one of Larry Ellison or Bill Gates?
People rebut that given the geographical constraints and the "winner take all" market that is software Linus played his hand in the best way possible because there would have been no space to fight Microsoft, Apple or Oracle on a for-profit basis.
If that is true then it's not a real rebut, because it ceases to be altruism . It's just the same mental process experienced by entrepreneurs who decide to be at the helm of for-profit organizations. Except it has virtue signaling baked in it to sell it in a better way and capture a niche of people who are politically charged or hate big for-profit organizations.