Posted by: Taran Rampersad
on January 10, 2004 02:45 AM
I think you are mistaken. Capitalism is one explanation of an aspect of the ecosystem mankind lives in.
Ecosystems are not about maintaining a balance. The term is used to explain balances that exist, and how such balances are created, destroyed and otherwise affected. It's used to attempt to understand these balances, and it's never 100% right because of the unknowns that constantly raise their heads to disprove equations.
The GNU/Linux community, I agree, will always have Gurus, just as there will always be people learning from the Gurus, or deriving benefits from the entire movement. I believe that the point that was trying to be made through the post you are responding to is that we are not dependant on select people to be Gurus. Yes, there are parallels between CEOs and FOSS Gurus, but they are parallels - which means that they do not map.
Ballmer can say 'OK, Microsoft, verily we shall do XYZ'. Do it or find another job. With FOSS leaders, there's discussion and popular opinion must be weighed and accounted for.
So perhaps it's appropriate to say that there are no proprietary Gurus - there are Proprietary Monarchs. And there are FOSS Gurus.
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Re:Capitalism is our ecosystem
Posted by: Taran Rampersad on January 10, 2004 02:45 AMI think you are mistaken. Capitalism is one explanation of an aspect of the ecosystem mankind lives in.
Ecosystems are not about maintaining a balance. The term is used to explain balances that exist, and how such balances are created, destroyed and otherwise affected. It's used to attempt to understand these balances, and it's never 100% right because of the unknowns that constantly raise their heads to disprove equations.
The GNU/Linux community, I agree, will always have Gurus, just as there will always be people learning from the Gurus, or deriving benefits from the entire movement. I believe that the point that was trying to be made through the post you are responding to is that we are not dependant on select people to be Gurus. Yes, there are parallels between CEOs and FOSS Gurus, but they are parallels - which means that they do not map.
Ballmer can say 'OK, Microsoft, verily we shall do XYZ'. Do it or find another job. With FOSS leaders, there's discussion and popular opinion must be weighed and accounted for.
So perhaps it's appropriate to say that there are no proprietary Gurus - there are Proprietary Monarchs. And there are FOSS Gurus.
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