The Price of Knowledge: Free Wikipedia and Pricy Bookstores
Introduction
A long time ago, I got a great gift: a set of books by Edward Gibbon „The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire“. A book written by English historian Edward Gibbon more than 250 years ago (1776–1789). That book still costs $163.95 USD on Amazon (hardcover). Book is written long time ago and as such is not that scientifically (for the research of history) relevant but it still represents “knowledge”. On the other hand, on Wikipedia, in few links and clicks you can read all the reasons, causes, references and get all the knowledge you need on why empire declined and finally dissolved (the subject the book is trying to cover). On Wikipedia, you can browse, click on relevant links, read all about those emperors, latest research, references and much more knowledge is presented there than in this 250 years old Gibbon’s research.
The Paradox of Free
Yet, this set of books costs more than $150 USD in any bookstore and all the knowledge (and much more and much more accurate) is free on Wikipedia.
This is an extreme example, and of course, comparison is not 1:1, but this is the case with almost all the knowledge that is “sold” (on Amazon or other book stores or elsewhere). All of this knowledge can be found free on the Internet (Wikipedia, or elsewhere where researchers, writers or other contributors are sharing).
This paradox has many consequences and causes as well as implications on many (if not all) aspects of our life. It is part of the phenomenon of “the economics of free”. But “voluntarily” free, as we are willing to give more and more stuff for free, and gain it as well.
Where Does All “the Free” Come From
How come Wikipedia is free? Yes, Wikipedia is asking donations from time to time, but the main reason is the army of contributors that are giving their time and knowledge for free. Content that is the main product of Wikipedia, is created for free. Hundreds of thousands of active Wikipedia contributors are giving their (and collecting and organizing others’ knowledge) for free (free of money at least).
But why are they doing it for free? How come the largest knowledge base in the entire history of humanity is free? Never before was so much knowledge available so easily and vastly and with no direct compensation given.
People obviously are willing to work for something else than direct money compensation.
Compensation in (Other/Your) Organization
And how we can implement this in our daily life? How can we implement this in the organization we work for? Should we?
In developed countries, less and less people today will be motivated for work with money. Or at least they will not go that extra mile for money, but they will do it for something else. Like Wikipedians do.
What do Wikipedians work for? Can we say they work for “mission”, are they inspired by mission of Wikipedia: “to empower and engage people around the world to collect and develop educational content under a free license or in the public domain, and to disseminate it effectively and globally”.
It pretty much sums it up. I see no other reason. Mission statement is simple, easy to understand and we can all see effects of it every day: vast knowledge available to all of us with just “clicks”.
Yes, surely, Wikipedians may have “another job that pays their bills” or a business or some other form where they make living. But Wikipedia proves precisely that: that once some “basic” level of income is achieved by people, by knowledge workers, they will be willing to give that “extra mile” only if greater purpose is involved.
Wikipedia is merely one example of this phenomena, there are many others. Many organizations relay on volunteer work and they are contributing significantly to society.
So, whatever your organization does, in today’s “economy of free”, of us approaching (or already being there?) post-scarcity society: does it have a meaningful purpose, or do your people (knowledge workers) work only for salary? In latter case, if your motivation is merely a salary, you are in a danger of ending up with workers like that character of Peter in the movie “Office Space”. He explains it nicely (working for mere salary with no other motivation): “But you know what Bob, that will make someone work just hard enough not to get fired.” And you cannot compete in today’s market with knowledge workers who work only just enough not to get fired.
Conclusion
We are living in interesting times. Times when technology is taking over most of work that has been done by humans faster and faster. We live in the economy where knowledge workers are dominating for a while now. Concepts of “free” and higher purposes are also dominating our work space for a while now. But compensation models have not developed and changed for a long time as well. They tend to be outdated in most cases. We need to work on that and we need to make sure our colleagues are compensated with more than just money.
