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Amused Quote by Richard Stallman

“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

Source Interview: Free Software Movement, 1995

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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