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by alex_lav 1028 days ago
> There is a difference between "making money" and "capturing the entire thing because our growth-addled brains cannot conceive of not allocating all of the money to us".

I feel like this post suggests a misunderstanding about how publicly traded, for profit companies work. Because it is literally their job to capture the entire thing and whatever else they can capture. That's why going public is not awesome for FOSS-oriented companies. We've been here before.
2 comments
eropple 1028 days ago
I mean, I understand it quite well. Through this understanding I am able to come to the conclusion that it bad.

Like, the very concept of a corporation is ordained by a society to provide benefit to the society, not (just) to the shareholders--otherwise there's no reason to enable its creation. Did Hashicorp's action better the society that granted its charter, or attempt to (and hopefully fail to) better its P&L?

I feel it is not unreasonable to simultaneously think that making some money in a sustainable fashion is a good thing--and at the same time also think that there is real value in expecting a functional moralism out of what are legally persons. I do realize that that is out of step with current (American) jurisprudence, but I also don't much care about that.

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alex_lav 1028 days ago
> Through this understanding I am able to come to the conclusion that it bad.

I've not commented on whether it's good or bad. I'm commenting about the apparent surprise at their behavior.

> Did Hashicorp's action better the society that granted its charter, or attempt to (and hopefully fail to) better its P&L?

The latter, as is their job.

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eropple 1028 days ago
> I've not commented on whether it's good or bad. I'm commenting about the apparent surprise at their behavior.

I assure you that I am not surprised.

I am angry, though.

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overtowed 1028 days ago
> it is literally their job to capture the entire thing and whatever else they can capture

Their job is to maximize shareholder value, and if attempting to capture the entire thing reduces shareholder value, which may occur in this case, they're not doing their job well.

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