This is a classic case of tragedy of the commons, where a common resource is harmed by the profit interests of individuals. The traditional example of this is a public field that cattle can graze upon. Without any limits, individual cattle owners have an incentive to overgraze the land, destroying its value to everybody.
We have commons on the internet, too. Despite all of its toxic corners, it is still full of vibrant portions that serve the public good — places like Wikipedia and Reddit forums, where volunteers often share knowledge in good faith and work hard to keep bad actors at bay.
But these commons are now being overgrazed by rapacious tech companies that seek to feed all of the human wisdom, expertise, humor, anecdotes and advice they find in these places into their for-profit A.I. systems.
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Sorry, lost me at Reddit.
Reddit is a flaming monetized dumpster now but it used to be what the article is describing. (mostly)
Exactly and the idea they serve the public good? They don’t serve us, we built what’s good there.
I think they meant the community. Same applies to Wikipedia, not like the site would be worth anything without dedicated users.
Reddit has been welcoming for some years tbh
Now I don’t want to hear about it!
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