Many, many more people should be getting paid to write free software, but for that to happen we’re going to have to be okay accepting impure or imperfect mechanisms. Criticize those mechanisms if you like. Work to change the underlying societal inequities – please!
But when a maintainer finds a way to get paid, celebrate them. It’s a win for all of us.
I am reminded of a Talk by Mike Monteiro appropriately called “Fuck You. Pay Me” if you haven’t seen it, absolutely worth your time. # Mike Monteiro: F*ck You, Pay Me