[patcon]

By that logic, isn't building a family something one should never do? There is no market to sell your family, so that must be a clear signal that your attention and energy should go elsewhere...?

I'm sure this analogy is a bit absurd (and I'd love to see it torn apart), but I hope it opens readers to the premise that some highly desirable and important emotional, intellectual and social objects should exist even when there is no market for some of their forms

[jt2190]

I don’t build my family for other people either.

Edit: I can’t tell if you’re willfully misreading what I wrote or just trying to be cute. At no point did I assert that nothing should be created without a market. But if you’re creating something for other people then those other people are, by definition, your market, and you should pay close attention to signs that they actually want what you’ve created (like a willingness to trade dollars or time or attention).

[philipwhiuk]

The issue is that you responded to stuff around reasons for being a hacker with a requirement that isn't a requirement for hacking.

Hacking doesn't require something to be built for other people.

[jt2190]

Ah, I see that the post I responded to (and quoted) has been completely rewritten.