We Pay for Software with Attention

In chapter 8 Lanier says that our quest for free software and the capitalist idolization of getting rich led us towards free ad-supported software1. What feels ironic about this is that the free open-source software contingent is often militantly opposed to corporate interests. Many don't want to sell their software figuring that they're contributing to the commons and that is its own value. But they need to eat, and not everyone is as militant about software being free. The big problem comes because the idea that software should be free, or cost almost nothing, has left anyone wanting to make money on their software in a sticky spot. We've been trained that software for our phones should be a few dollars, which has spread to all software. Unfortunately those few dollars don't pay for the home the software developer lives in. It doesn't feed their children or buy them health care. That leaves the aspiring developer looking for some source of revenue. You're faced with some small…