Open Source Software and "the Church of England's problem"

No, this isn't a religious post.

I was listening to an interview regarding marketing challenges for big brands trying to reinvent themselves. The context was large, older brands that people don't want to go away but whose products they aren't going to buy (any more).

A comparison was made with the Church of England. (It was a very English discussion.) The speakers  said:

• They wanted it to keep existing.
• They weren't going to go.
• And, they certainly weren't going to pay for it.

I immediately saw a comparison with Open Source Software:

• People want it to exist (and be maintained/updated)
• (Most) people are unlikely to participate. (Beyond using it.)
• And, they certainly weren't going to pay for it.

The challenges facing the CofE and OSS have similarities, but I think the solutions each will seek are very different.

That's all, except to say that the impact on anything is highly likely to be the same when people want something but aren't willing to pay or participate.