Why do alot people don't believe that there are free stuffs in this world?

[hieuky]

Hello!

I came across to some website that I couldn't remember of. One dude and I were having a debate, and he believed that nothing is free in this world. I disagreed and told him that I got some free stuffs from a legit site, and he persistently attacking.

What are your thoughts? Do you think there really are some free stuffs in this world?

 

[Synchromesh]

I agree with the other d00d. Just because YOU got it for free doesn't mean somebody else didn't pay for it. We all know there is no such thing as a free lunch.

 

[MacDawg]

Haven't you heard... the best things in life are free

 

[LethalWolfe]

Everything costs something (money, labor, resources, time, etc.,) it's just a question of how much, and to whom, the cost(s) gets charged.


Lethal

 

[riscy]

Sounds like he was just trolling

 

[Eclipse278]

What is an example of something that is free?

 

[roadbloc]

What is an example of something that is free?

Um... Oxygen.

 

[Queso]

What is an example of something that is free?

Happiness.

 

[maflynn]

What is an example of something that is free?

Peace,
contentment
happiness
joy
faith

You achieve these, you'll be less wrapped up by the material possessions of the world that cost money

 

[*LTD*]

What is an example of something that is free?

This can't be a serious question.

 

[spinnerlys]

This can't be a serious question.

Questions are fee.

 

[R94N]

Media and content isn't free, if that's what they mean. Even when you get it for 'free' someone always pays a price, as has already been mentioned.

 

[steve2112]

Everything costs something (money, labor, resources, time, etc.,) it's just a question of how much, and to whom, the cost(s) gets charged.


Lethal

Uh, THIS.

Look, I admit I am completely cynical and fully believe the "no free lunch" thing. I'm talking about actual objects here, not the metaphysical stuff like love and all that. I am also not talking about things like gifts, as those are usually given by friends and loved ones.

It's like the free cell phone that requires a two year contract, or the free DVR that requires you to sign up for cable for two years. Even the FreeCreditReport.com and their catchy jingles (or whatever their name is now) isn't free. The fact is most of those sites that promise free iPods/iPads/laptops/etc aren't free. They are often scams requiring you to purchase something else, or sign up for a service. It's all in the fine print. Many of them are merely harvesting email and other personal info for spamming and identity theft. At best, most of these type of sites require you to fill out surveys and such. In that case, it is costing you time. If you view your time as worthless, then I guess it is free.

I dunno. Maybe I have been doing computer/network security stuff too long. On the internet, at least, I tend to follow the TNO philosophy. Trust No One.

Or, in the words of Ash from Army of Darkness: It's a trick, get an axe.

 

[0098386]

Of course there are free stuff, mostly software related. Open Office, freeware games, Flash/browser games.

I'm not sure why so many people believe that nothing can be truly free. Freeware game developing was a hobby of mine throughout school!

 

[Gaelic2]

Grammar school was free. It was a place to learn spelling and grammar along with other subjects, Dude. You should have tried it.

 

[RawBert]

^^^ Yup.

Spell check is free, OP.

 

[steve2112]

Of course there are free stuff, mostly software related. Open Office, freeware games, Flash/browser games.

I'm not sure why so many people believe that nothing can be truly free. Freeware game developing was a hobby of mine throughout school!

I've always found open source stuff fascinating. I'm a gunpoint coder. I can code, but I won't do it unless you hold a gun to my head. People who write all that software then release it for free amaze me. I've always believed if I go through the torture of coding, I should at least get paid for it. Some of you weirdos do it for fun! Bless all those coders, though, since I do love some open-source software.

 

[belvdr]

Of course there are free stuff, mostly software related. Open Office, freeware games, Flash/browser games.

I'm not sure why so many people believe that nothing can be truly free. Freeware game developing was a hobby of mine throughout school!

There are non-financial costs with that, so it's still not free. It's free for me, but it was not for a developer who coded it. That person gave up something else in order to program it.

Grammar school was free. It was a place to learn spelling and grammar along with other subjects, Dude. You should have tried it.

I wish. My taxes pay for that. While you're preaching that others should learn spelling, you should learn "dude" is not a proper noun.

 

[0098386]

There are non-financial costs with that, so it's still not free. It's free for me, but it was not for a developer who coded it. That person gave up something else in order to program it.

I guess, but is that really important? If it's a hobby and enjoyable to the person working for free then I don't see the problem. You sacrifice some time and nothing but you get feedback and constructive criticism that, in the end, helps you improve.

I've always found open source stuff fascinating. I'm a gunpoint coder. I can code, but I won't do it unless you hold a gun to my head. People who write all that software then release it for free amaze me. I've always believed if I go through the torture of coding, I should at least get paid for it. Some of you weirdos do it for fun! Bless all those coders, though, since I do love some open-source software.

Yea it's something I'm kicking myself for doing now. If I sold my most popular title for something as little as £1 I would have been a millionaire a couple of times over in my mid-teens! I recommend it for anyone learning game design or programming, great way to get feedback and your ideas out there.

 

[notjustjay]

I guess the real question is, can you get something for nothing? e.g. "free" iPods, iPads, XBoxes, whatever the scam-of-the-day is.

And of course the answer to that is "no".

 

[Eclipse278]

This can't be a serious question.

Luckily, some people can recognize a serious question. Those who cannot will never question anything.

I guess, then, what this whole debate is about is: What is wealth? What is cost? Some believe it is just money, and whenever you take something without giving money in return, then it's free. But as some others have recognized, wealth is more than money, and things cost more than the price on the tag.

Don't forget the cost of the opportunity. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunity_cost ) If you have $15 you can buy a CD or a T-Shirt, but not both. Therefore, if you buy the CD, its true cost is $15 + the cost of the T-shirt ($15) for a total of $30. This is what the "No Free Lunch"ers understand.

Oxygen may not cost money, but it does require a price to be paid. That price is the portion of the earth that must be covered in plants in order to generate oxygen. If you cut down all the rainforests and put up a giant parking lot, you will pay the price.

It's nice to talk about happiness being free, but it has its opportunity cost as well. A new baby in the world brings happiness, but it has its costs associated with it as well. You have to feed it, cloth it, shelter it. You pay the opportunity cost by being home with the baby when you could be out at a party or whatever. Love brings the same costs. I'm not saying that the cost isn't worth it, as happiness and love are the best things you can buy! But there is a cost.

Opinion time:
Faith comes at the price of suicide bombers, leveled skyscrapers, hijacked education curriculums, denied human rights, denied medical care, and downright human oppression. In my opinion it's one of the most expensive luxuries out there.
/Opinion

So, to answer the original question. People believe there is nothing that is free because that is what the evidence leads them to believe.

 

[benthewraith]

Um... Oxygen.

Nope, we pay taxes on CO2 admissions. Not free anymore. We also pay for water from our utilities bill or companies that purify, bottle and ship it.

 

[snberk103]

Of course there are free stuff, mostly software related. Open Office, freeware games, Flash/browser games.

I'm not sure why so many people believe that nothing can be truly free. Freeware game developing was a hobby of mine throughout school!

There are non-financial costs with that, so it's still not free. It's free for me, but it was not for a developer who coded it. That person gave up something else in order to program it.
...

I guess, but is that really important? If it's a hobby and enjoyable to the person working for free then I don't see the problem. You sacrifice some time and nothing but you get feedback and constructive criticism that, in the end, helps you improve.

...

In the words of a great philospher "TANSTAAFL".

As an example.... The coder who is putting out 'free' open source software is doing so instead of a) spending time with their family b) working a paying job c) going back to school to upgrade their skills

All of those examples are ways that other people are subsidizing (often with their taxes) this hypothetical coder. Spending time with their family means the family is 'healthier' and less likely to need social interventions (or at least that is what we have been told, eh?). Working a paying job puts more income taxes into the system for the benefit of the community (or, you are paying more taxes to cover their shortage). Going back to school means they can stay employable for longer, staying off of taxpayer funded programs.

I actually think open source coders are a benefit to society, and I don't mind picking up a bit of the tab for them to learn new things, and to provide 'free' stuff..... but..... I recognize that somehow, someway, I am paying for their 'free' stuff. I just think the price is worth the value I perceive I am getting in return. For the most part.

 

[Sun Baked]

Haven't you heard... the best things in life are free

I still think you have to pay the hooker extra for the best chance at a free STD.

 

[benthewraith]

I still think you have to pay the hooker extra for the best chance at a free STD.

Disagree. Hookers with STIs are an immediate discount. You pay later though for the antibiotics and antivirals, depending on luck.