[BSEdlMMldESB]

they're an endangered species, so to say...

you should learn about systems software... they may be 'vanishingly small' but they're there in the foundations of the entire computing stack. done once, a long time ago, and used by all ever since.

just the most basics: but there are (sadly were) more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glibc

[pdimitar]

And they get updated all the time actually, what's your point?

They're not written in stone. They still change and evolve.

[BSEdlMMldESB]

my point is that I refuse to adjust my expectations to a technological environment in which we are ok with having to pay per API call to use software.

I reject a future in which all software works as a subscription based service; this is just more taxes (in principle)

I see society going down this path and there are no good reasons for this at all (it is just double then triple then mutliplefold taxation on activity; and what for? so that few lucky persons collect rent forever?).

[pdimitar]

OK, I don't disagree. But at the same time I see zero connection with the topic.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯