Kenneth Burke (was Re: geeks)

[kelley]

At 07:53 PM 9/16/00 -0400, Yoshie Furuhashi wrote:
>Kelley wrote:
>
>>The ``utility function'' Linux hackers are maximizing is not classically 
>>economic, but is the intangible of their own ego satisfaction and 
>>reputation among other hackers. (One may call their motivation 
>>``altruistic'', but this ignores the fact that altruism is itself a form 
>>of ego satisfaction for the altruist). Voluntary cultures that work this 
>>way are not actually uncommon; one other in which I have long 
>>participated is science fiction fandom, which unlike hackerdom has long 
>>explicitly recognized ``egoboo'' (ego-boosting, or the enhancement of 
>>one's reputation among other fans) as the basic drive behind volunteer 
>>activity.
>
>Critiques of professions are necessary, but the debunking of motives isn't 
>the best route toward such critiques.  Kenneth Burke wrote:

was hoping you'd see how esr, the author, is a modern day adam smith and 
new managerial alfred chandler!  the visible hand of noble and good  mgmt 
will correct and market generated imperfections or will check the erruption 
of public vices (rather than virtues) as each individual pursues their own 
privates vices.  he offers a theory of human nature, of how it can be 
harnessed for the greater social good and how that harnessing requires good 
managers.

bleh.

heck, he might as well be saint simon or comte.

well at least saint simone tried to escape beheading during the fr. rev by 
dressing up a girlie.

kelley