There are times when the open source community impresses me. Dealing with bugs and security vulnerabilities, they certainly display their prowess at handling technically demanding issues in a rapid manner. The one thing that you'd think they would be open to is a proposal or challenge to create something that hasn't been done before. It's an easy leap to make, surely legions of open source tech-heads can wrap their minds around a problem and come up with possible solutions, right?

Wrong.

In a recent update, Bruce Sterling announced a design contest on the Viridian website asking for prototype ideas in making a computing device that wasn't reliant on big-name corporate hardware/software. Demanding? You bet. Impossible? No, it isn't. In true "Crapbot" fashion, the majority were either interjecting their weak humor, or just saying flat-out how it couldn't work. A small minority were actually looking at the problem and trying to dissect it, but the overall tone to the comments were the usual cynical and jaded knee-jerk reaction so popular on Slashdot.

It's this kind of thinking that sickens me. Being a realist, I see the value in deconstructing an idea and analyzing its components. What I don't see as an advantage is pathetic responses to a challenge that if met, could really change how things are done. For example, here's a little gem from the comments posted:

"i prescribe a VT220 for use by Global Civilians. if someone can't figure out how to use it, they shouldn't be allowed near a fucking computer in the first goddamn place."

Oh, how witty you are! Not only referring to a piece of shit terminal using a monochrome display and a async connection as a solution to the problem, you fail to really contribute anything at all. The barely-masked contempt displayed for the average user is obvious as well. Feel sick yet? Here's another:

"Whaaa??? Hardware/Software to make people civil? Globally? Can anyone else hear the echoes bouncing off the empty walls at slashdot?"

No, what I hear is a another techno-tard making their mewling noises public. The design contest was FOR the "Global Civil Society", it has nothing to do with making anyone behave in a civil manner. Even if it did, it would be lost on you - crapbot. (Crapbot is a term for a Slashdot poster that will take a dump on any idea, proposal or plea with no mercy.)

It's comments like the above that do a disservice to the open source community. I hope some proposals make it back to Bruce Sterling, who knows - the actual dreamers and optimists may succeed in bringing about a future that we would be happy computing in. I know for certain that it won't be coming from the jaded legions at Slashdot.

(Image note: I thought the bot from "Frenzy" really captured the idea of a "Crapbot" Slashdot poster. If you recall the game, they all move in concert, say the same thing, and basically try to destroy you from the first second you appear in the video maze.)

Desiato.

desiato_hotblack @ hotmail.com