do_While(True)

Sometimes I can't stand reading TechDirt. Not because of the articles, but
because of the comments. I just... get so angry. Today is a one-two
punch that's had me out of sorts since about 8:30 this morning. The first
case is a series of comments on an Article
about freebies where one party repeatedly insists that nothing's free. Yes,
yes, FINE, nothing is *really* free, it's always paid for somewhere else,
but if you give it to me and I pay you nothing, that's the common definition
of free. I don't care if you support it by ads, or grants, or raising
prices elsewhere. None of that directly affects me or the free transaction.

The other bit is a series of comments under an Article
presenting the idea that capitalism and philanthropy are not mutually
exclusive. Here the offense is more subtle, as the offenders casually note
that it's fine, as long as the company is "doing right" by it's shareholders
by maximizing profits. Anything a company does should be done if and only
if it maximizes profits. And I can't stand that. If you're making
money, making a profit, then you're succeeding. It doesn't *matter* if
you're "leaving money on the table." just because you CAN get more money
doesn't mean you should, and it CERTAINLY doesn't mean you have to! I agree
with the comment Haywood made: "[they] are what is wrong with this country.
People used to take the long view, doing what was right and reaping rewards
down the road. Todays business is focused directly on bottom line, and at
that, only in the quarter they are in, right or wrong anything for a buck.
To hell with long term planning or public perception, we need a big profit
this quarter, next quarter we'll do it again."