The oft-repeated saying that "if the service is free, you are the product" is more accurate than many people realize. In fact, most people don't realize it at all. If you're not paying for the product, you are the product. This is something that I've been thinking about a lot lately, especially in relation to social media and the internet. Many people think that they can get something for nothing, that there's a thing as a free lunch. But the reality is that there is always a cost, even if it's not immediately apparent.
The saying is usually used in reference to social media and other online services that are "free" to use. But it's also applicable to many other aspects of life. For example, think about the last time you went to a store and got a free sample. The store wasn't giving that sample away out of the goodness of their heart. They were giving it to you because they wanted you to try their product and hopefully buy it. In other words, they were using you as a marketing tool.
Or think about the last time you went to a networking event. The people there weren't just being friendly, they were trying to make connections that could be beneficial to them in the future. And if you've ever been on the receiving end of a sales pitch, you know that the salesperson wasn't doing it just to be nice. They were trying to sell you something.
In all of these cases, you are the product. The people or companies that are giving you something for "free" are doing so because they expect to get something in return. After all, if you enjoy using a certain service or product, then it's a win-win situation. But it's important to be aware of the fact that you are not getting something for nothing.
There's an old saying that goes, "There's no such thing as a free lunch." And in most cases, that's true. If you're ever offered something for free, it's important to ask yourself what the catch is. What are they really offering you? And what do they expect to get in return?
Is HIVE any different?
