Sabotage and negative marketing seem rather common. For example, here is some baseless shit slinging:
And if Novamente should ever cross the finish line, we all die.
I’m not clear what the net effect of such FUD on the overall rate of progress (if any) is, though. Usually such strategies aim at hampering competitors—not at manipulating the overall rate of progress.
I think we should probably discourage the use of negative marketing in this area. I think it is more likely to be used by organisations with poor moral scruples—of the type we do not want to gain an advantage. Public disapproval may not eliminate it—but might at least drive it underground.
Sabotage and negative marketing seem rather common. For example, here is some baseless shit slinging:
I’m not clear what the net effect of such FUD on the overall rate of progress (if any) is, though. Usually such strategies aim at hampering competitors—not at manipulating the overall rate of progress.
I think we should probably discourage the use of negative marketing in this area. I think it is more likely to be used by organisations with poor moral scruples—of the type we do not want to gain an advantage. Public disapproval may not eliminate it—but might at least drive it underground.