This article just dumbfounds me. http://petapixel.com/2016/01/26/this-22-year-old-is-shaking-up-political-photography-with-creative-commons-images/

Maybe this kid's family is rich and he doesn't need the money but I kinda doubt it. So he probably could have licensed these images to pay for some or even all of his tuition but didn't. He could be making money but instead is okay seeing others make money from his work. And it looks like he has paid for all of the equipment and travel out of his pocket. And wait for it... he's going to be an accountant. He's going to advise people on what to do with their money. I think he better hold on to that camera. He may need it to make money after the accountant thing doesn't work out.

It amazes me that there are so many people out there who are probably barely getting by working multiple jobs just to live check to check. And as a hobby they gladly give away their photography that they could be making money from. Why don't they just also go to their job every day and refuse to accept a paycheck? Why do I never see beauticians, mechanics, carpenters or any other person who provides a service freely give away their work? I don't get it.

maybe he thinks he is getting his foot in the door ...
and could end up like sonny bono and arnie (blacksmith)... (don't like to mis-spell his euro name so best i just use the anglo translation).  you know, giving up the pennies you make today for the big bucks you get when he runs for office in politics

Like me - and maybe many of us here, he doesn't know how to negotiate a fair income.

I think I'm going to become a photography consultant. There's probably more opportunity in charging to show people how to make money with their photos than actually taking photos.

You are absolutely correct have you seen what some people charge! I haven't got the personality for it

It's just a difference of opinion, nothing to get worked up about; many of my photographic friends and acquaintances look at micro earnings per image and say, "Might as well just give your pics away. Why jump through all these hoops for 25c(/whatever) and let the agency pocket the lion's share?"

Truth is, I can get my head round his viewpoint far more easily than I can get my head round the fact that Sarah Palin and Donald Trump are apparently considered serious politicians by a reasonable proportion of the US populace. See, just a difference of opinion, and on a much less important issue.

I could give it away but I'd rather use it to pay my mortgage and other stuff.

Good job of tossing that political off topic bomb into here. This will now turn into a fifty page off topic thread about politics.

I could give it away but I'd rather use it to pay my mortgage and other stuff.

Indeed, but that's your opinion and perspective, both of which are perfectly valid, but aren't necessarily everyone else's.
Other people have other jobs they're happy with and want to share their 'hobby' images for pleasure, and don't want agencies restricting and profiting from their work. But they are shooting for pleasure, not hiring studios, models etc etc; big difference. Though whether the latter shots are going to pay in the long run, who knows.