[Normille]

On an individual developer note, I think it's the Linus Torvalds / Steve Jobs effect. Lesser known developers see their arrogance [and arguable genius] and how they are idolised and want to emulate that.

On a corporate level, I dunno. The total and utter contempt with with companies like eBay treat their users is mind-blowing. And others are equally as bad. I suppose it's an arrogance that comes with having such a huge market share or dominant position that you don't really need to care about upsetting individuals, or even hundreds or thousands of individuals at a time.

[sokoloff]

I feel like my needs are reasonably well met by the choices I have. (This silent generally happy user population could well be what’s driving some of businesses’ choices that annoy some and we tend to hear from them. After all, if things are generally okay, you’re not going to take the time to be a vocal medium-supporter of a marketplace or merchant.)