The Node.js Documentary

That’s the thing that’s interesting about open source. Instability and chaos make it stronger. On the other hand, that instability is really dangerous for companies that are trying to extract value because it becomes very slippery and brittle.

Big company: why are you rocking the boat?

Community: we don't mind rocking the boat because we’re not a giant ocean liner.

A big company is like a giant ship that has to start making its turn a mile before the actual turn itself. Whereas the community is comprised of thousands of small, distributed boats that can make (in contrast) hairpin turns.