Hacker News Reader

These free things (Wikipedia, Linux, etc.) are sustained by a high GDP that translates to high incomes and, in turn, people willing to donate time and money for them to remain free.

Let's try living in a country with a measly GDP per capita of $1,000 (Rwanda for example) and see how many free things we can get..

View on HN

Alternative conjecture.

People give more consistently in more pro-social societies. But those societies are poorer, with lower percentage of computer ownership and programming skills. So they give things like care and food.

Trying to spin the west as the place where altruism is most prevalent seems incorrect. More data needed.

I think we're in agreement here. I never said the West inherently has more altruism. However, the West's high GDP is what enables Westerners to give more to free computing/internet-related projects offering excellent value.

Without a high GDP, there won't be much to give in the first place.

Yes, I suspect I've made a distinction without a difference. You're right.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com