[linux-audio-dev] Free Software vs. Open Source: Where do *you* stand?

[Chris Cannam]

On Tuesday 21 Feb 2006 15:57, Pete Bessman wrote:
> On Tue, 2006-02-21 at 16:30 +0100, David Kastrup wrote:
> > Following your kind of logic, people caring for peace on Earth are
> > damaging the livelihoods of weapon producers, decent people mostly,
> > and that merely for their selfish desire of a world worth living
> > in.
>
> No, this is a bunch of BS.

It's not bullshit.  It's just misdirection.  If you take out the 
subjective language, David just said:

> > Following your kind of logic, people who oppose the proliferation of
> > weapons are damaging the livelihoods of weapon producers, decent
> > people mostly, because of their desire for a world without weapons.

(Assuming for the benefit of his logic that you do think weapons 
producers are mostly decent as individuals and that their opponents may 
succeed in damaging their livelihoods.)

Look closely at this.  What do you see?  The statement is true.  It's 
not even controversial.  But it doesn't add anything, because it isn't 
reasonable to suppose that we will have the same response to the fates 
of weapons producers as of authors of quality music software, nor to 
the ends of their opponents.  It's only there to make you jump to a 
conclusion about one thing based on your emotional response to another.  
It's logical, but it's brainless.

In any case, my point was that you shouldn't have to be making this sort 
of calculus.  If it's not business, do it out of love, not because a 
business would do it.


Chris