Hear Meowt 🙏➡️ ~ Open-source is more productive than patenting

 When it comes to innovation, one of the biggest questions has always been: should ideas and technologies be open for everyone to use (open source), or should they be protected and locked behind patents? Both sides have strong arguments, and the answer isn’t as simple as choosing one over the other.

On the open-source side, the philosophy is that knowledge grows best when it’s shared. Open-source communities have given us some of the most powerful technologies we use today—from Linux powering servers across the internet, to Python driving AI and research, to 3D printing files shared freely online. The argument here is simple: when barriers are removed, more people can contribute, improve, and innovate. Collaboration breeds progress.

On the other hand, patents exist for a reason. They give inventors and creators the security that their hard work won’t simply be copied without reward. Research, design, and innovation often require huge investments of time, money, and energy. Without protection, many creators wouldn’t have the motivation or resources to keep pushing boundaries. Patents ensure creators can profit from their work, and that recognition for their ideas isn’t lost in the noise.

So which is better? The truth is, both approaches have their flaws. Purely open-source models can sometimes leave creators burnt out, unappreciated, or financially unsupported. Purely patent-driven models can slow progress, gatekeep knowledge, and make innovation feel like it belongs only to the privileged few with enough money to buy access.

For me, the real answer lies somewhere in the middle. Imagine a community-driven model where creators can choose to share their work openly, but access comes with a small, affordable membership. That way, the barrier for entry remains low enough to keep innovation flowing, while still ensuring creators get the support and recognition they deserve. This is how I imagine the perfect creative community 

In the end, both open-source and patents have shaped the world we live in today. But if we’re going to keep moving forward, maybe it’s time to stop seeing them as opposites and start imagining ways they can work together.