Working in Public by Nadia Eghbal Summary
Overview of Working in Public
Dive into the hidden world of open-source software maintenance with Eghbal's groundbreaking analysis. Endorsed by React's Dan Abramov, this book reveals why your favorite apps exist thanks to unseen heroes facing burnout and funding challenges. Ever wonder who's really building the internet?
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Key takeaways
The Hidden Infrastructure Behind Our Digital Lives
Ever wondered why your favorite app suddenly breaks after an update? Behind every piece of digital technology lies an invisible world of open source software-code freely shared by developers who often receive little recognition and even less compensation. This hidden infrastructure powers everything from your smartphone to hospital equipment, banks to nuclear submarines. Nadia Eghbal's "Working in Public" offers a fascinating glimpse into this world, revealing how open source has evolved from idealistic community collaboration to something resembling today's creator economy. The challenges facing open source maintainers mirror those of YouTubers, writers, and other online creators-all grappling with the paradox of creating freely accessible content while sustaining themselves in an attention economy gone wild. As billions came online, the dynamics shifted dramatically. We began effectively DDoSing each other with information overload, a pattern particularly visible in open source where developers who share code publicly often find themselves overwhelmed by user demands. The reality contradicts our collaborative ideals. Many popular projects are maintained by just a few developers facing overwhelming demands. Studies show nearly half of all contributors only contribute once, accounting for less than 2% of total work. In over 85% of GitHub projects, less than 5% of developers are responsible for over 95% of code and social interactions. What if, instead of fighting this reality, we recognize it as the new normal?
From Utopian Villages to Digital Stadiums
How GitHub Transformed Developer Culture
Four Models of Open Source Production
Software: Free as in Puppy, Not Beer
The Attention Economy of Open Source
The Future of Digital Creation
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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