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Is there a difference between exploitation and monetization? (yall.theatl.social)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by bayport@yall.theatl.social to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

8 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Here are definitions from Merriam-Webster online dictionary, but what is your take?

Exploitation (noun): an act or instance of exploiting Exploit (verb): 1.) to make productive use of; 2.) to make use of meanly or unfairly for one's own advantage

Monetization (verb): 1.) to coin into money; 2.) to purchase (public or private debt) and thereby free for other uses moneys that would have been devoted to debt service; 3.) to utilize (something of value) as a source of profit

Edit - revised title to “Is there a difference…” from “What is the difference…”

top 8 comments

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[–] Mothra@mander.xyz 18 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I almost feel like this question is bait. If you see every monetary transaction as someone exploiting another then I probably don't have the energy to carry this conversation

[–] bayport@yall.theatl.social 3 points 1 year ago

Good point, I should reword the question. I don’t see it as every transaction is exploitative. But there is some kind of spectrum and I’m trying to understand where do I draw that line/range that separates good from bad. I’m curious to hear other people’s opinions.

[–] funchords@lemmy.sdf.org 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

A lot of the comments so far are trying to stay with the negative connotation to exploitation. You exploit your comfortable shoes to walk further each day. You exploit the microwave oven's ability to more quickly warm your coffee than the stove.

This is the same with discrimination. You choose the raspberry danish over the cheese danish. This is you practicing discrimination, and it's fine.

Any evil in it comes from abuse or impact to yourself with respect to others, that second definition of exploitation in the OP.

[–] Tamo@programming.dev 6 points 1 year ago

Monetization: Providing a way for people to pay for something they want

Exploitation: Making people pay outside their means for something they need, or feel like they need (usually bc of FOMO)

[–] Nemo@midwest.social 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You monetize your own content, you exploit the content of others.

[–] bayport@yall.theatl.social 2 points 1 year ago

Hmm that is an interesting take

[–] CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.work 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think for the most part, monetization necessitates exploitation.

[–] bayport@yall.theatl.social 2 points 1 year ago

Wow it never occurred to me that it was/could-be formally defined in economics terms… but I’ve never studied economics. However, I am aware that is as known as The-dismal-science tho