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[-] tetris11@lemmy.ml 37 points 1 month ago

Uhh.. these projects are the backbone of the free and modern web. How is less funding a good thing?

Not the one you answered to, but I think I can understand the idea of US funding having been a toxic source of dependency, and it being better in the long run to get money elsewhere. That "elsewhere" is a good question, though.

Just me, personally, my dream would be an international fund, carried by the UN or maybe an independent NGO, that can get funding from both private and public funds, that prioritises free internet access the way the WHO prioritises health. But I think that's still far off.

[-] MalReynolds@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 month ago

US funding having been a toxic source of dependency, and it being better in the long run to get money elsewhere.

Yup, pretty much my intent, that and the insecurity it engenders, rather surprised by the reaction.

[-] eldavi@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 month ago

the reaction makes sense; these organizations are modeled after for-profit corporations since that's where most of its leaders come from and oriented towards simpler modes of funding like the american gov't; this is effectively a disaster for this sort of posture and it's hard from them to imagine any other form.

[-] killeronthecorner@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

long run

This is the crux of the problem when losing funding like this

[-] matengor@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Isn't the OTF already an NGO that can receive funding from different sources?

Kind of, I wouldn't really call them an international organisation in the way I would be imagining, see how easy it was to cut their funding when national interests turned openly fascist. Their affiliation with the US government above more independent, international organisations meant, that they would support privacy and a free and open internet, as long as it helps dissidents in other, non-aligned countries, but quick to cut it, if it reaches their own doorsteps.

[-] thingsiplay@beehaw.org 8 points 1 month ago

Not sure if this is meant here, but shockingly many people believe that "funding" something equals to "controlling" it.

[-] MalReynolds@slrpnk.net 5 points 1 month ago

many people believe that “funding” something equals to “controlling” it.

Pretty much the definition of soft power, which an awful lot of politicians believe in.

[-] SufferingSteve@feddit.nu 1 points 1 month ago

For a good reason

[-] chebra@mstdn.io 1 points 1 month ago

@thingsiplay It does, if it turns into dependence. Look at Mozilla.

[-] thingsiplay@beehaw.org 2 points 1 month ago

Mozilla was not controlled by Google.

[-] MalReynolds@slrpnk.net 5 points 1 month ago

Not a good thing, just an inevitable one, as they conflict with the interests of the US (oligarchs and techbros).

this post was submitted on 08 Apr 2025
671 points (100.0% liked)

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