OSS and Small Government
gpt.iconComparing the concepts of OSS (Open Source Software) and big government/small government brings up the following perspectives. In the world of OSS, individuals and companies are free to use, improve, and distribute software, which encourages a form of voluntary collaboration. In the big government concept, on the other hand, the government actively intervenes in the market and society to maintain order and fairness. Given the mechanisms in OSS for managing licenses, setting community rules, or distributing rewards to fair contributors, these are more akin to the role of a large government.
For example, certain controls and rules may be necessary to prevent certain contributors from profiting excessively from OSS projects or to prevent rampant fraud.
Conclusion.
By its very nature, OSS represents a spirit of small government-like freedom and cooperation, but it may also require big government-like management and rule-setting to actually operate and maintain long-term equity. Both concepts can serve as different approaches to the challenges facing the OSS community.
---
nishio.icon
When we say "big government," we tend to think of nations, etc., but a big tech company could be the equivalent. In fact, the Ethereum Foundation is a "public utility" that distributes funds for public goods OSS. [Ethereum can take gas money from users, and Microsoft can take tolls by occupying business "checking stations" that would be inconvenient to avoid. ---
From the chat at [Cybozu Lab Youth Summer Camp 2024
---
There is a cost to being free, who benefits from freedom and who pays the cost src ---
relevance
---
This page is auto-translated from /nishio/OSSと小さな政府 using DeepL. If you looks something interesting but the auto-translated English is not good enough to understand it, feel free to let me know at @nishio_en. I'm very happy to spread my thought to non-Japanese readers.