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I could have made money this way, and perhaps amused…

“I could have made money this way, and perhaps amused myself writing code. But I knew that at the end of my career, I would look back on years of building walls to divide people, and feel I had spent my life making the world a worse place.” quote by Richard Stallman
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“I could have made money this way, and perhaps amused myself writing code. But I knew that at the end of my career, I would look back on years of building walls to divide people, and feel I had spent my life making the world a worse place.”

Richard Stallman

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Choosing ethical principles over profit, the speaker rejects building divisive technology, valuing a world that unites rather than separates people.

In simple terms: Prioritize ethics over profit.

Key Takeaway

Build inclusive technology.

Themes

ethics technology community social responsibility software development

Mood

thoughtful determined

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

  • software engineering
  • career planning
  • policy advocacy
  • team leadership

Key Concepts

open source digital rights human-centered design

Questions to Reflect On

  • What sacrifices are needed for ethical tech?
  • How can we measure social impact of software?
A Different Perspective

Profit motives can conflict with ethical goals.

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