quote Sonic Flash
quote NeoRez
Neither, nothing in life is free.
While the economic concept of a "free lunch" is unsound, economics isn't realistic and is in fact the dim-witted and unbathed cousin of mathematics.
In reality, many things, on your end, are free. In the case of the above-mentioned creepy man giving away consoles on the street, he may simply be crazy, and the cost lies entirely on his shoulders with none to you. In this case you profit.
It would be the same deal if you won a contest. Perhaps you spent your time to fill out a ballot, but given that we're all wasting time right now we can see that time is very often a sunk cost and not accounted for.
Extremely true, Sonic Flash. Very well put at that.
Of course what's 'free' and what seems to be such are usually easy to determine. You can get plenty of free things online, but are forced to pay the shipping in many cases. Does that take away the title of 'free'? Maybe, maybe not. The product is free, but recieving said product is your responsibility.
Free samples exist, buy one get one free, and all other sorts of offers. Look at Wii Play. You can consider the Wii-Mote a free bonus with a $50 game. Or you can see Wii Play as a $10 Wii game gained with the $40 remote. It all depends on your perspective.
To turn down something simply because you feel it isn't 'free' is a foolish way to live. Because it tends to take little effort to find the truth, it is better to inspect the situation than instantly turn something possibly 'free' down. Heh...