[carlosjobim]

If hackers pray five times per day to the European Union, they will one day step down from the sky regulate and ban all our dreams into being.

Jokes aside, you're completely right, but I think individuals should remember to limit their effort when it's without reimbursement. In order to not burn out and become bitter, etc.

[marginalia_nu]

> I think individuals should remember to limit their effort when it's without reimbursement. In order to not burn out and become bitter, etc.

You're projecting your will onto the world and making it more like how you think it should be. It's nice when other people share your vision and chip in to support the effort, but I don't think that can be a prerequisite. If it is, then you will never be true to your vision, and that is, if anything, recipe for crashing and burning.

[carlosjobim]

Some goals are so great that they can not be reached alone. Space flight for example, was a dream for many, but it required massive joint effort to finally achieve.

Even people seeking hyper-individualistic goals are paid, for example in sports. I don't mean that getting paid is a prerequisite, but if you're struggling alone you have to check after some time if it's really worth doing.