# Would you sell out? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 1, 2022, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743 "2022-02-01T13:12:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/1 "2022-02-01T13:12:18Z")
So the creator of Wordle has [sold out](https://gizmodo.com/wordle-new-york-times-buyout-1848455734) for at least a million dollars. Good for him, I say! I’ve always thought of the concept of “selling out” as mostly sour grapes from those of us not in a position to cash in ourselves. Me, I’d sell out in a heartbeat. Less than a heartbeat. Given the opportunity, I’d sell out before I even finished typing this s What say you? Imagine that you’ve created something harmless and likely inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. A game or a song or a viral video. You might or might not be able to monetize it yourself in a responsible manner, but [FACELESS EVIL CORPORATION] has approached you with a substantial offer of cash money in exchange for full and irrevocable control of your creation. Call it dollars equivalent to 20 years of your current salary. Do you take it? Do you hold onto your scruples? It selling out inherently unscrupulous to begin with? ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/2 "2022-02-01T13:15:32Z")
I don’t consider that “selling out” – that’s just selling, and I would do it. I consider “selling out” to refer to an artist who decides to go commercial or corporate or something, after being considered edgy. I don’t know if I would do that, since I’m not artistic. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/3 "2022-02-01T13:17:49Z")
As described in the OP, without hesitation. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/4 "2022-02-01T13:23:47Z")
about 70 percent of independent products are created with the express intent of getting popular enough to be bought out so I probably would ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/5 "2022-02-01T13:28:28Z")
If I was the proverbial creative artist (George Lucas, Stan Lee, etc.) who is approached by a big faceless corporation (Disney, Sony, etc.) I would “sell out” without hesitation. ---
**Author:** ![Roger\_That](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roger_that/32/8505_2.png) [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/6 "2022-02-01T13:30:46Z")
As I understand it, Wordle has a limited lifespan and is therefore Wordthless. There are only so many 5-letters in common use, and once they are used up they’ll need to recycle them, which I think detracts from the novelty of the game. So if I were Wardle I’d sell Wordle to any fool willing to pay me for it. I suppose there will always be a market for stupid shit (I play this species of stupid shit every day) but I don’t see what the Times gets from this, especially if they continue to keep it ad-free, other than rewarding Wardle for Wordle as an act of charity. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/7 "2022-02-01T13:35:16Z")
Would I? I’ve been racking my brain since I heard the news: what simple game I could create with my limited programming skills that might become the next viral thing? ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/8 "2022-02-01T13:37:56Z")
I think the Times is keeping it subscription-free. I’d be surprised if they kept it actually ad-free. In any case, there will likely be links to their other daily games (crossword, Spelling Bee, etc.), and they probably expect to get some subs out of that. Speaking of Spelling Bee and five letters, anyone have a five letter word starting with an H and containing a T and uses the letters in GHLMOTY? ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/9 "2022-02-01T13:49:16Z")
Yes, definitely, but not for just a set amount. I would want the initial amount PLUS a percentage of future profits so that, if it really takes off, I don’t end up having gotten a pittance in exchange for a billion dollar enterprise. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/10 "2022-02-01T13:56:33Z")
> [@Roger\_That](#): > > As I understand it, Wordle has a limited lifespan and is therefore Wordthless. There are only so many 5-letters in common use, and once they are used up they’ll need to recycle them, which I think detracts from the novelty of the game. I highly doubt anyone who’d played it for several years is going to go “I’ve read that they are now reusing solutions! This one was a solution four years ago!” and stop playing. You either enjoy the intellectual exercise, or you stop playing way before that. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/11 "2022-02-01T13:58:14Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > I don’t consider that “selling out” – that’s just selling, and I would do it. This. Wardle created something that had become popular, but also difficult for him to maintain on his own. Unless he despises the NYT, i see no downside to him. No moral or emotional downside, as well as no financial downside. If he’d sold it to the Taliban, who planned to use it to recruit terrorists, then yeah, i might be thinking he’d sold out. But he sold it to a large media company that is a natural home for the game. Good for him. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/12 "2022-02-01T14:02:16Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > What say you? Imagine that you’ve created something harmless and likely inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. A game or a song or a viral video. You might or might not be able to monetize it yourself in a responsible manner, but [FACELESS EVIL CORPORATION] has approached you with a substantial offer of cash money in exchange for full and irrevocable control of your creation. Call it dollars equivalent to 20 years of your current salary. > > Do you take it? Hell, yes, I’d take it. A lump sum 20 times my current annual wages would, basically, have me set up for a secure retirement. ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/13 "2022-02-01T14:10:49Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Yes, definitely, but not for just a set amount. I would want the initial amount PLUS a percentage of future profits so that, if it really takes off, I don’t end up having gotten a pittance in exchange for a billion dollar enterprise. The reason why I have my doubts about that mindset is that at the time of sale, it might not yet be a billion dollar enterprise but merely a (good) idea which, after years and millions of dollars of further investment and marketing, can be turned into a billion dollar enterprise. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/14 "2022-02-01T14:16:19Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Speaking of Spelling Bee and five letters, anyone have a five letter word starting with an H and containing a T and uses the letters in GHLMOTY? Yes HOTTY ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/15 "2022-02-01T14:23:10Z")
My answer to the OP: In a heartbeat. > [@RitterSport](#): > > I consider “selling out” to refer to an artist who decides to go commercial or corporate or something, after being considered edgy. This usage also gets a bad name, IMO. Making any kind of living as an artist, musician, etc., is really hard. Most scratch and scuffle and work day gigs, too. Maybe 1% are talented and fortunate enough to build a following and earn a steady income. If you’re the 1% of the 1% with a chance to make serious, life-altering money, I don’t consider it a character failing if you take it. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/16 "2022-02-01T14:26:44Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > but also difficult for him to maintain on his own I don’t think that’s true. At most, he would have to update the word of the day, but my guess is that the word index is calculated using some random number based on the date. The answer and guess dictionaries are all in the browser. @pjd, that’s not it and we should probably stop the hijack I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/17 "2022-02-01T14:30:03Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > I consider “selling out” to refer to an artist who decides to go commercial or corporate or something, after being considered edgy. Yes, that would be like Neil Young selling Ohio to the Ohio Tourist Board. Tracy Chapman letting Ford use Fast Car in an ad. Or Iggy Pop selling Lust For Life to a cruse line. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/18 "2022-02-01T14:36:40Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Speaking of Spelling Bee and five letters, anyone have a five letter word starting with an H and containing a T and uses the letters in GHLMOTY? wrong, @pjd Hotly I think selling out is selling to someone against your position. You don’t like FB because it’s a time-suck & you’re on it too much, not selling out because you use the product & aren’t opposed to it. You don’t like FB because they they’re too big & mainstream, collect too much data, promote beliefs opposite of yours, or abuse the puppies of Jewish black, lesbian, dwarf amputees?\* Then selling to them is selling out. ## – \*\* _Churchill: Madam, would you sleep with me for five million pounds?_ \*\* Socialite: My goodness, Mr. Churchill… Well, I suppose… we would have to discuss terms, of course…\* \*\* Churchill: Would you sleep with me for five pounds?\* \*\* Socialite: Mr. Churchill, what kind of woman do you think I am?!\* \*\* Churchill: Madam, we’ve already established that. Now we are haggling about the price.\*\* ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/19 "2022-02-01T14:45:50Z")
Thanks! I’m Queen for a Day. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743/20 "2022-02-01T14:46:56Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I think selling out is selling to someone against your position. Yeah, to me “selling out” requires identifiable hypocrisy, otherwise it’s just selling. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-sell-out/958743.md?page=2)