These were a couple of PhD geeks who hit it big, it’s certainly not inevitable that intelligent people get absorbed with money, see the creator of VLC for example. It’s just sad that these guys could have been rich AND kept the internet ‘pure’ and research focused. But instead commerce has crept in and taken a shit on what was once a clean simple brilliant search service.
It’s widely celebrated that Jean Baptiste Kempf, who could have easily sold VLC for tens of millions, declined to do so (or more accurately lead the steering group that jointly decided) keeping the enormously popular video player free and open source
Money is power, and people with money like to habe power.
If someone else is pulling in more money, you’re going to find yourself with less power.
These were a couple of PhD geeks who hit it big, it’s certainly not inevitable that intelligent people get absorbed with money, see the creator of VLC for example. It’s just sad that these guys could have been rich AND kept the internet ‘pure’ and research focused. But instead commerce has crept in and taken a shit on what was once a clean simple brilliant search service.
What happened with VLC? This is the first time I am hearing it.
It’s widely celebrated that Jean Baptiste Kempf, who could have easily sold VLC for tens of millions, declined to do so (or more accurately lead the steering group that jointly decided) keeping the enormously popular video player free and open source
https://old.reddit.com/r/VLC/comments/x0azkz/this_is_jeanbaptiste_kempf_the_creator_of_vlc/
Oh my, I was thinking that there has been a recent development and they sold out or something.
I had some interactions with him in VLC forum and he was still active there answering questions personally.
I hope they continue the good work.