The Monday Nut

As I am not a programmer, all you geeks will forgive me for the headline.  Remember Matthew 5:5!  “Blessed are the geek, for they shall inherit the Earth.” The world is yours, so cut me a little slack, OK?

Anyway, I am somewhat expanding the definition of “open source” beyond programming and into the realm of the arts and media after reading a post by Jim over at RSS Binghamton (David Rossie Pouts…) in which he was taking on a local editorialist on his hatred of the new media…  It got me to thinking, which is always something that should be frowned upon, but my wife isn’t here at the moment so off I go.

I am worried that the open source ideal, whether it be in programming, arts, or media will eventually give birth to a world where the ideas put forth in Vonnegut’s short story, Harrison Bergeron, will be truth.  I like new technologies like blogs (duh) and YouTube is fun to watch sometimes, and I like the fact that many many more facts (and opinions) are able to be presented at the push of a button.  But, the truth is…most of the stuff out there is absolute crap.

OK, Roger Ebert is spinning in his grave from that inciteful review; but what I am seeing is a trend toward rewarding mediocrity.  For example, if everyone can be published…won’t we end up dissuading truly talented people from writing and making money at it? Aren’t we saying that “everyone is equal” when they truly are not?

From the dawn of time, we have paid for talent because it has value.  Whether you are a high-priced “escort” or the next Rembrandt, your talent is worth something more than the hooker on Chenango Street or a graffitist down by the railroad tracks, isn’t it?

Look, equality is a good thing when it comes to say, opportunities.  Everyone should get the chance to try something…but if they really suck at it, they don’t get rewarded for it, nor do those who ARE good at it get handicapped. It’s the Bell Curve all over again.

In regards to Jim’s article…it is true that the current liberal media is afraid of the bloggers and new media out there because it takes away their iron grip on information.  This is a good thing, especially when it comes to presenting new facts and even new opinions.  However, despite the fact that David Rossie makes me cringe, his prose is excellent and he deserves recognition for good writing whether I agree with him or not.  I would rather read good writing that incites my wrath, than horrific writing that I agree with.

Real quick for the programmers.  On a recent site design project I did, I tried three “open source” e-commerce solutions and was seconds away from shaving my cat as a way to relieve my stress. Only by settling on a “paid” solution that is written by truly talented programmers who are “paid” for their talents was I able to get the job done and spare my cat and my soul from scarring. Here I will take the time to revise my headline to the following…”Open Source Really Sucks.” I understand why many in the counter-culture want to bring Microsoft to its knees.  But remember, when people get paid to produce results, the results are just better.  Period.

As a writer, I want nothing more than to be published.  I want someone to recognize me, and PAY me for my talent.  Perhaps no one will ever recognize my talent…perhaps I have none. That’s something I will have to live with or change. But, that’s how it works and that’s how it should always be.

Because, as baddie Syndrome (Buddy Pine) said in The Incredibles…”Once everyone is super, then no one will be.”