Actually there is a book titled The Prisoner's Dilemma, by William
Poundstone, that discusses game theory at length, and chronicles the career
of John Von Neuman, father of the digital computer. A fascinating read. So
yes, I know about game theory. But you really haven't suggested an
alternative answer to my question. If we assume for the moment that the
objective really is to make software a commodity (I think it already is) the
question remains, why? As a programmer, what's in it for you? What's in it
for all the programmers who contribute to open source projects? Or at least,
what do they *think* is in it for them? I have yet to hear (read) anyone
say, "I worked on X because I got Y as a result."
--Phil M.

> It is probably best to study the social rationale and the economic
> rationale soon follows.  You really should spend some time studying Game
> Theory[0].  I think in the essence of even the most basic game theories
> you see collaboration played out as the logical answer.  Something as
> simple as the prisoner's dilemma[1] can demonstrate this.