People use the web channels that convert to cash. That's what it is. Meta and their ilk have spent billions in marketing and persona research. They know what color makes you press a button and how to stimulate your brain into releasing dopamine when a certain product is mentioned or used.

Here's some free advice to foss enthusiasts and developers.

Products don't get sold because they're better, they get sold because someone wants it. Not needs, wants. A person will put aside need for want.

Make people WANT your product and they'll switch to it. And no, free isn't a good enough tactic

I'm not saying Foss needs to sell its soul, I'm saying that those creators need to find a way to compete in that area.

[–] phdepressed@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Isn't not doing that part of the draw of foss? That sort of UI/"engagement" is necessary for monetization but is not for foss.

A product getting "sold" is in direct contradiction to it being foss. That's the viewpoint of money and enshittifiers.

Most people here are specifically avoiding those companies in part because of their "engagement" algorithms.

[–] thedruid@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

No! I apologize for not being clearer.

The point isn't that foss has to be cash grabbing

It has to be likeable, lovable. Something that becomes familiar and comfortable as soon as a user starts using it, WITHOUT the nefarious monetization that the corps hang on it.

Think of it as your favorite cookies a friend bakes and gives out for free. Everyone loves them, their I. Demand, and their free

I hope I did a better job explaining my position. I'm not batting A thousand today in that arena lol