While the email was undoubtedly pretentious, I've got to say that ESR brings to light some really important points... at some point, systems that "mere mortals" use to keep track of a large code base become a necessity even for people like Linus.

I don't like how comments like these (even if they're from a user who normally has insightful/useful comments, albiet generally snarky) get voted so high up. It's time like these I wish I could vote down a response.

EDIT: Interesting to note for future readers: my comment was voted down at least once within 5 seconds (or less) of posting this.