Tech that disappears because it isn't profitable enough (or at all) is even worse. A successful business model is in everyone's interest. Don't unilaterally rule anything out, look at it rationally.
If the goal is to help as many developers as possible, then being profitable and/or well funded makes achieving that goal easier, through hiring more employees and developing better product faster. Which in retrospective sounds obvious.
I'll still keep perpetual license as option, but stop being arrogantly non-commercial.
Very sensible viewpoint, thank you. Perhaps perpetual licenses and subscriptions could co-exist as alternatives, and customers can choose whichever they prefer.