Disney goes for Linux

Posted Jun 20, 2002 2:51 UTC (Thu) by jamienk (guest, #1144)
Parent article: Disney goes for Linux

This issue brings back to life the RMS vs ESR debate: is Freedom good because it is morally right, or because it gives practical benefits? The issue goes to the heart of American ideology. (I see economic Capitalist arguments as being on the "practical benefits of freedom" side, and the ACLU/EFF, civil rights/liberties as often taking the "moral" approach...)

It's possible that freedom brings with it some BAD practical effects: in the case of Free software, it COULD seriously harm the ecomomy, discourage art and artists, and give more power to terrorists. It's also possible that, even if that's true, there may be bigger benefits to humanity in the future...

It seems to me that, when there's Freedom, we can't really predict how current systems will be changed, how won arguments' effects will cascade, and how thoughts that are currently unthinkable will be commonplace tomorrow. Disney can't predict it. And we -- we Freedom Fighters -- we can't predict it either.

Disney's interests may ultimately be served with Free software. They may not. Ditto for humanity's interests. But who's to say we'd all be better off without freedom either?