Open Source Thinking

I am sure by now that we have all seen the fauxIn this sense, it is the true heir to the revolution! If
poster with the Microsoft representation dressed inyou have not made the logical extension, let me
authoritative looking garb, looking over the shouldermake the step for you. The American founding
of the programmer, with all the communistfathers, were working "open source". They planned
symbolism, and these words "If you program opentogether, for the common good, wrote the
source you are programming communist" ordocuments, and implemented the strategies that
something to that effect. It sure got a laugh out ofeventually lead to our independence from England, at
me! It was far enough away from the truth that ittheir own expense, and at tremendous risk to
could be funny, even to a child of the cold war. Thethemselves!
truth is, that "open source" thinking, is actually theIt is, in short, people working together for a common
total antithesis of communism, even more so thangoal, of their own free will, with no promise of any
good old God Fearing capitalism. I am a firm believergain except in the satisfaction of doing it. In this way,
in capitalism and its power to create wealth and solveit actually resembles a non profit charity. The
problems, even environmental problems, if the greenindependent competition that this provides, drives the
movement ever catches on and caches in. We are allcorporate powers to stay on their feet, and stay up
in at least some way, motivated by money, and it islate at night to find new and better ways to provide
that motivation, when channeled in the right direction,products and services that people will pay for. It is
which will eventually lower greenhouse gas emissions,one of capitalism's great balances. The internet itself
and provide more earth friendly businesses.is one of those balancing mechanisms. It is only with
My point in mentioning this is that open source is thethe dissemination of information from all sides of any
opposite of communism, because it is the proof thatissue, that people are able to make truly informed
capitalism works. It can only work in a society thatdecisions, and the internet is the greatest single leap
has created enough wealth, to provide the free time,forward in that area since the invention of the
education, and resources to the numbers of peopleprinting press. Free speech, freedom of expression,
who work on these projects, who cooperate willinglyand free, open movement of information, these are
with no coercion, and most of whom will eventuallythe hallmarks of a free society, and that is something
gain some form of remuneration as a direct orthat is good for everyone, whether they like it or
indirect result. This could not happen in forced sharing.not!