> Take for example, the bajillion expenses tracker apps. The most reinvented wheel. Do we need yet another one?

Well, small projects being repeated is one thing, but because they're small there's only so much waste there.

I'm thinking more about "cathedral-like" projects, some massive open source project that lasts for years, in which it may be important to emphasize the contributions of, and a particular way of understanding the contributions of the many stonemasons and lesser artisans, as opposed to the leadership of the project and the architects.

Our whole society would benefit I think by having more respect for the "average person that contributes to the common good, even if they're not the leader", and actually praising that as much or more in some cases than the leadership role.

> I'm thinking more about "cathedral-like" projects, some massive open source project that lasts for years

Yes, though it takes a special kind of person to devout themselves to what potentially is a thankless job.

At least Linux kernel developers are mostly employees of tech behemoths, so they can contribute while remaining well paid.

I wonder about FFMPEG developers, if that's the exception.

> Our whole society would benefit I think by having more respect for the "average person that contributes to the common good, even if they're not the leader", and actually praising that as much or more in some cases than the leadership role.

I fully agree in the assertion that our society would benefit, but I see that more platonically than the reality.

The reality is what happens today, and I don't see that happening (hopefully I'm proven wrong).