Would you like more coffee?

A debate is going around the IndieWeb about “buy me a coffee” links. The two sides are: Blogging should be free and so you shouldn’t ask for money. We should support indie creators, so it’s okay to use “buy me a coffee” links. Oh and there’s a third side where people don’t feel strongly either way. I am in favor of coffee links. We need monetary ways to support creators, even when blog posts can be read for free. Ko-fi and similar sites are virtual tip jars. Available if you want to leave a couple dollars, but no pressure to tip. I liken it to a person playing guitar on a street corner. You can walk by and hear a snippet of a song or you can stop to listen for a bit. Even if you stop to listen, you’re not obligated to leave a tip. But if you do, it’s a gesture the guitarist appreciates. Blogs are the same way (when they aren’t gated or paywalled). Anyone can visit. Some people might stay and browse for a bit. No one is obligated to pay for what they’re reading. But if you choose to…