cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/5400607

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.

  • Random Dent@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    Ironically, I read about three lines of this article before I got a full-screen popup and then a paywall then closed the tab. And it’s going to get worse apparently.

    • ohlaph@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I typically don’t read anything from the new york times, unless I find a free paper somewhere.

      • Sinnerman@kbin.social
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        1 year ago

        Noscript extension on Firefox still works.

        Though if you want to support quality reporting, paying for a nytimes account is not a bad idea.