Comment by acuozzo

> because computers and the internet became available

Because of Bell Labs (inventors of the transistor & Unix & UUCP & so much more) which was so well-funded by the post-WW2 US economic situation.

The Internet? DARPA!

DARPA? Post-WW2 US M.I.C.-driven economy.

The list goes on and on and on. F/OSS owes so much to The Marshall Plan.

Is this a sweeping, reductionist PeterZeihan-esque argument? Sure, but I think it's valid.

> This seems like rewriting history. Tech salaries today are higher than they were back then.

So? Does the future look bright to you? Most of the SWEs I know wouldn't say so.

How bright you think the future will be has a direct impact on your long-term planning and, for many, results in prioritizing hedonistic activities in the short term, not F/OSS.