Imagine a world where Open-Source Software did not exist. Where every developer was as protective of their Intellectual Property Rights as companies are of their IPR. Where would we be today?

Would our industry be better respected or would it have died? Might developers be better paid or seen as an abusive scourge on society? In such a world, society might have stagnated from a lack of innovation.

Imagine, no free apps for your phone. No free development tools to learn your trade. We might be better off because we leave our computers and phones at work and actually engage with friends and family directly, like we used to many years ago.

Who knows, I certainly don't. I find it an interesting question nonetheless, and I am interested in what others have to say on the topic.