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There's an extremely instructive lesson for programmers in the success and persistence of Alcoholics Anonymous. It's still around because:

* It's free * It's decentralized * It works

Is it the absolute best and most efficient method for treating addiction? Maybe not, but unless you have another method that works, which also does 1 and 2, it probably won't become as pervasive and long-lasting as AA.

How does this apply to programmers? Look at every dumb project that ever tried to "disrupt" email. That's a field littered with dead bodies. Email survives. Why? See above.




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