August 20, 2023

By Afzal

Commercial craft makes money. Contributory craft makes impact.

Let's begin by clarifying the concepts of commercial and contributory craft:

Commercial craft refers to a craft that necessitates payment for its use, examination, or remixing. Its licensing can involve bureaucratic complexities determined by the craftsman or organization. Commercial craft may sometimes deviate from its core principles due to market pressures and profit motives, typically favoring the interests of the craftsman or organization.

On the other hand, the contributory craft is freely accessible to anyone for use, examination, or remixing. It typically features simpler licensing arrangements compared to commercial craft. Contributory craft consistently adheres to its core values as it places emphasis on contribution and impact over financial gain. It tends to be more user and consumer-friendly.

Now, the question arises: which one is superior? This is largely subjective, as both approaches have their merits and drawbacks. Your preference depends on your personal inclinations. Personally, I hold a deep respect for individuals who create and share their work without expecting financial incentives, viewing it as a pure expression of passion. However, both commercial and contributory crafts hold significance in their respective domains: the former in economics and the latter in education.

Engaging in creative endeavors solely for the sake of contribution is truly admirable. Nevertheless, there's no fault in seeking rewards for your creative efforts. It's entirely valid to choose your stance. An alternative approach, which I find ethically compelling, is the intersection of both: You keep stuff paid but with a simple licensing, you keep stuff free and paid at the same time leaving it to the user/consumer and so on. Although not widely adopted, this approach aligns with a more ethical perspective in my view.

Thank you!

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