* In regards to the excerpted post, I would say that while the “fail faster” method that Eric Ries and others are promoting through rapid development and release of betas, simply “outsourcing” it isn't always the best method. Best find a developer with some spare time that you can develop a real relationship with, or crack open a book, and build it yourself.
* I've experienced three types of management approaches in my career. 1) As long as you do your assigned job, we don't care what you do otherwise. 2) No, you can't do anything else, and anything you do is ours. 3) Encouragement to work outside and tinker. Outside of that, I would say the fourth is the Google style – where tinkering and side projects are actually part of your arrangement with your employer.

But yes, the truth comes down to this: the relationship between employer and employee is changing, and companies have to adapt.