On 25/03/12 11:06, alan c wrote:
On 24/03/12 11:08, Chris Penston wrote:
[snip of really good stuff]
People tend to be impressed by the novelty
that they have a choice. Almost always, the reaction is astonishment
that something can be so good without costing anything 'so there must be
a catch'.
Yes I find that a lot, also. It is difficult explaining that although
there is no such thing as a free lunch (probably true), that there
*is* Libre software. But then, there is -some- good in the world. I
was in Paris for a short trip recently and on two occasions, complete
strangers helped with acts of kindness. One gent insisted I took his
seat on a crowded bus (1) and later that day I (we) were lost on the
Metro and a couple noticed this and helped us get sorted.
1) He looked at least as old as I am! But I guess he saw my walking
stick and also I was very unpractised and clumsy trying to get a hand
hold. Slightly embarrassing to get noticed in such a way, but
heartwarming and appreciated nevertheless.
'keep calm and carry on!' The times are changing.
Yay!
I am glad you brought this up. Whilst going over the free software
concept with my neighbour whilst setting ubuntu on a USB stick for her
to try out she mentioned "So there is not going to be pop ups asking me
for purchasing such and such or asking for donations?". I was happy to
say no. But that there where places where she could donate to help the
cause. I normally just tell them that there are big companies competing
against each other using the same product and they can use each others
improvements so the user is always a winner.
And this also lets me share something I suspected but had not basis for
it. If someone wants scientific and historical evidence as to why people
are now kinder (and give out free lunch!) I could refer them to two books.
[1] ¨The better angels our our nature¨ written by Steven Pinker which I
am reading now goes over the historical reasons and shows how we are
less violent now. That is even taking into account the WW1&2!
[2] "Wired for culture: The natural history of human cooperation" By
Mark Pagel have not read it yet (looking it up in Calibre as I write
these lines) but shows how we where able to evolve quicker than other
animals because we found cooperation to be more effective.
I will probably use these as arguments for the harder to convince.
PS: Sorry to the links to newspaper that might not be everybody's cup of
tea but it is where I get my podcast from.
[1]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/audio/2012/mar/19/science-weekly-podcast-wired-culture
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/audio/2012/mar/19/science-weekly-podcast-wired-culture>
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/audio/2012/mar/19/science-weekly-podcast-wired-culture
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