Post #1339724

2026-03-30 06:08 UTC

@smallcircles to what extent are plants responsible for the oxygen they provide to dictators? I could agree that any FOSS project specifically designed for, let's say, killer robots is ethically bad. But other software that happens to also be used in some questionable project... I don't think it's on us. FOSS brings freedom to the entire world. Maybe without FOSS these projects would need more money to succeed. But also, the rest of us would really have nothing to build on top of.

Replies (1)

@smallcircles@social.coop 2026-03-30 06:31

@bustikiller Yes, that is one way to look at it. If FOSS is bricks and bolts it is not responsible for the evil castles and tanks built with it. If FOSS were coca leaves or poppies it was different perhaps.. Can't blame the small farmers that supply the drug cartel. FOSS creators are also poor wrt earnings of their work. Or are they privileged to be able to spend the time and money? Suppose FOSS is bricks and bolts. There's still a difference. A brick doesn't know it is abused. But FOSS does. It has many intelligent people creating it. Shouldn't they weigh the net result of the externalities? If on some areas there's delightful progress, but the overall trend is dystopic? Or are we in the clear because as an individual we can't be held responsible for the collective? Same as with climate change perhaps, "my 2cts count for nothing, the big polluters must act"?

Open ##1339725