2 months ago
- Open source projects often lack funding and support, yet turning them into businesses is the most viable path due to current economic incentives.
- Capitalism rewards profit, not charity, making open source sustainability a challenge despite its ubiquity and importance.
- Donation-based models fail because businesses view contributions as charity; a market force is needed instead.
- The climate pledge model shows that social, economic, and policy incentives can make sustainability an industry norm.
- Open source needs an 'easy button'—like automated funding via platforms (e.g., GitHub sponsorship switches) with tax breaks and reputation incentives.
- Initiatives like Open Source Pledge and thanks.dev are steps forward, but reaching critical mass requires systematic changes.